The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-05


us to see nho are Sin hearing"
COMMUNICATION OF THE FOURTH IN
THIS CITY.
Although the day was not celebrated exclusively
with reference to its revolutionary associations, no
one could fail to observe that it indeed kept as
great national jubilee. The numerous bells of the
city rang spirit-stirrng peas at sunrise, noon and
sunset. All public and private places of business
were closed; and the streets were thronged, during
the day, with gay, yet orderly crowds of citizens,
who appeared habted for holyday, and anxious,
each, to devote the occasion to joy and festivy.
The various Sunday-schoos of the city paraded
the streets, presenting most interesting sight
| to those who, when contemplating such neat and
sprighty troops of children, would reflect on their
connexion with the future wel-being Of our beloved
country.
The temperance associations of Washington ded-
Gated the day to combined effort for the further
ance of the great moral and publc-sprited cause in
behalf of which their exertions directed. These
met about noon in the grove in the public grounds
situated between the Presidents mansion and the
War Department, where they were addressed by
able advocates of the good cause. A table was
| spread, and thousands partook Of an excellent tenn
perance dinner which reflected great cred. on those
who prepared it. In the afternoon, when the Sc
niors had ceased speaking, the youth of both sexes
were addressed by those of their own age. Some
thousands were present-among whom we noticed
the Secretaries of State, War, and Navy. This af-
fair was exceedingly well arranged; and, though III
the heart Of the city, presented all the characteristics
of rural celebration.
The volunteer companies of the city were cut, of
course; each, however, mustered separately.
The Presidents mansion was thrown open to the
public, and he was visited by some Of the Sunday.
schools, and many citizens and strangers. Many
visers, also, paid their respects to Mrs. Madison,
at her own house.
The democrats of the city dedicated Jackson Hall,
according to arrangements the Grand Lodge of the
District of Columbia laying the cornerstone. After
which, Judge Shields, of Illinois, the present Com
missioner of the Land Office, delivered an able and
eloquent grafton in honor of the occasion, in which
he made the character, services, and principles of
| the immortal jackson, his chief theme. These
proceedings were attended by large and respecta-
BILE concourse of democratic citizens, and were con-
Quoted with great spirit and interest The speech,
and the details of the dedication which are neces-
sarily crowded out this evening, will appear on
Monday.
In the evening, the open space, between the Pres
dents mansion and the canal was occupied by six
or eight thousand persons, congregated to witness
most magnificent display of fireworks. Indeed,
we understand that nothing of the kind half SO
brilliant before seen in this city. The fire
works exhibited different splendid colors, and were
indeed superb. But we are deeply panied to add that
some most distressing and fatal accidents occurred.
Near the close Of the display, as the pyrotechnist
was about firing stand Of twelve rockets, i,
fell, so as to direct the missiles, not upwards,
but ranging few feet above the heads, of the
crowd on the fiat, though precisely in the right
direction to strike among those on and around
the south wall surrounding the grounds Of
| the Presidents house. Mr.. James Knowles, a
worthy and Industrious citizen of Washington, was
| transfxed through the heart by one, and was in
stantly killed. His poor wife hung on his arm al
| the time. Some ten or twelve others were struck
and more or less injured though, at present. are
unable to give the names of the unfortunate suffer
eTs. lncIe Wcfc, piopaVJ, Sew" VI o'S"' hu"utS1
people congregated the hundred yardssquare, over
which these missiles of death were scattered Never
before has been our lot to witness striking an
exempfcaton of the truth Of the scripture phrase
In the midst Of life, we in death" For, but an
instant before, the multitude full of won
der and delight when, Immediately after the occur
renee of the sad accident, all turned to mounfu
distress thrill of horror appeared instantly to per
wade the throng, which quickly separated in pro-
found silence and dismay. The wife of the unfor-
| tunate man was borne past US on the arms of two
gentlemen, and her hcartrending shrieks are YET
ringing in our ears
We learn that colored woman was also killed
and that Mr.. MCGEE had his arm drcadfuy lacera-
ted, with two children in his arms, which were also
injured.
We understand that, in the course of the day
another unfortunate accident happened at George
town. A cannon was prematurely discharged
wounding one of the bystanders very severely.