Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1840-07-02
THE CELEBRATION.

had been previously announced Tor ccle-
bratinu the semi -cente nnial anniversary
of the adoption by this State, OF the
Constitution of the United States, that
oc aston was commemorated in this place
on Thursday last, the Goth June, with
all the enthusiasm which an event so i'm
p0rtant in its results, was calculated to
inspire. For some time prior to the 25lh,
high anticipations were INDUCED in by
those who contemplated visiting New
port on that day, as to the imposing man
ner in which the celebration was to be
carried out-but whether those antic pa
tons were fully realized or not we will
not pretend to say. So far, however,
as we were able to Judge, nothing was
wanting to render the celebration every
way interesting and appropriate. The
day throughout was one ofthe finest and
most delightful Of the season, and was
ushered in by the joyful peal of the
merry bells. The celebration mig be
said to have commenced on the day pre-
vious-cvery steamboat that arrived
came crowded with passengers from
Providence and elsewhere, to participate
in the festivities of the succeeding day.
At o'clock u. nj. Oh Wednesday,
the Gath, the steamboat Balloon, Capt
Woolsey, arrived from Providence with
the First Light Infantry, Capt. Brown,
and was received by the Newport Ar
lillery, Col. Swan, and escorted to their
lodgings at the Bellevue House.
On the morning Of the 25lh about 8
o'clock, tho Bristol Artillery, Col. Tay-
lor, arrived in sloop from Bristol, at
the Long Wharf, and were received BY
the Newport Artillery. In few mo.
ments afterwards the steamer Massa-
chuset,s arrived from Providence, hav-
ing on board, besides eight hundred
other passengers, the Pawtuxet Artille-
ry, Col. Arnold the Providence Artil.
ly, Col. Cranston ; Providence Volun-
teers, Col. Spencer (; and Cadets, Capt
Martin. They were escorted TO the Pa
rade in front of the State House, by the
Newport Artillery. The steamer Bal
loon from Providence, also arrived abou,
this time, with upwards Of four hundred,
and the steamer Telegraph, with nearly
as many from New Bedford. To nil
these might be added vast number
who had repaired hther by other con-
veyances and from other places-filling
up our narrow streets TO an extent that
we never recollect of witnessing before
on any public occasion.
At 10 o'clock the State flag was hois-
ted at the cupola Of the State House,
tho Providence Band playing suitable
airs, followed by salute Of 10 guns
from the Newport Artillery.
Flags were also displayed from the
shipping in the harbor, and from num-
Der Of places in our public streets.
AT half past 10 o'clock, the Battalion
was formed by Capt. Weeden, acting
adjutant, and soon after, under the COM
mand Of Col. Swan, escorted the pro-
cession to Trinity Church. The COM
panics took their stations in line accord
ing to the date Of their respective char
ters, as follows
Newport Artillery, (Col. Swan l74l.
Pawtuxet do. (Col. Arnold) INA.
Bristol do. (CoI. Taylor l775.
Providence do. (Col. Cranston) 1875.
Prov. Volunteers, (CoL SpenceD 1915,
Providence Cadets, Capt. Austin.
Providence Light Infantry, Capt Brown.
The civic procession, was formed by
Gen. Thomas Stacy, Jr. Chief Marshal,
assisted by five other Marshals, viz -
Niossrs. Henry f. Turner, William ID.
Lake, VIM. G. TilIcy, James nj. Sher.
man and Stephen r Cotton.
The movement OF the procession .hro'
Thames, Franklin and Spring streets,
exhibited spectacle that we are not
accustomed to behold in Rhode Island
the display Of the military and the vast
concourse which followed was indeed
most imposing in their appearance. ln-
cludcd in the civic procession, and which
composed its prominent portion, were
the members of both branches of our
State Legislature, preceded by the Co
vernon Of the State.
Tho exercises al the church consisted d
firstly, Of q voluntary on the organ by
NJ. George Taylor-then pra, er from
the Rev. Mr.. West,-an ode "The
Pilgrim Fathers" sung by Mr. A. Mol
len-music by the Band Grafton by Hon.
WM. II. music by the Band
ode by VIM. G. Bryant, "on the Con-
stiiution "-Benediction, and voluntary
on the organ.
The oraiion, or discourse, by Judge
Staples, was very interesting and appro-
pirate 10 the occasion. IL was an epto-