Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-07-11
The Celebration of the 4th
IN WILMINGTON.

/ w lth what WllQ LutUuItuouS th'oooiHS0"
pleasure does the blood bound through the
hearts of American freemen, as this glorious
day dawns upon our land OF freedom. A
day consecrated to the remembrance OF
the virtues. the patriotism and the seli-de-
votion of our gallant forefathers-a day
upon which the whole people ola great and
prosperous country pour forth in one broad
impetnous torrent the outgushings of graft
tude to the God of empires for the blessings
ofliberty prosperity andhappiness olarge
ly enjoyed by them-a day upon which all
that is chivalrous and gallant in the heart Of
the American citizen pours itselfforth spon-
ftaneously. o, what rays of light and hope
does the annual return of this great Wes-
tern jubilee ofliberty send far, far away to
the dark spots of oppressed distant lands.
With what feelings of delight does the low
err of liberty, wherever found throughout
the wide world, gaze upon the sublime
spectacle which the American people pre-
sent upon this day. How do tyrants and OPP
pressors every where tremble in their seats
when the shouts Of liberty, which this day
ascend from the American continent reach
their ears. And we'll may they trem-
BILE. The fires of liberty, which on this
day burn on the affairs of America, will yet
send light and heat across the waves Of
the Atlantic, which, sooner or later, will
kindle flame in the eastern hemisphere,
in whose consuming heat the hoary head
ed despotism of ancient dynasties will
crackle like the dry withered leaves of the
forest. But we forget; we set out to give
an account of our celebration of the Fourth.
The day was ushered in with the peal
ing of bells, and the thunder of artillery.
At dawn of the morning, the federal sa-
lutte Of thirteen minute guns announced
to our citizens that the celebration of
our National jubilee had commenced
? Before breakfast our streets presented a
, gay and animated scene. The Claren-
! don Guards and the Wilmington Rifle
corps paradng our principal streets, gave
our town quite military appearance,
: whilst crouds of civilians thronged the side
: walks. At half-past 8 o'clock, Col. James
t II. Miller. Marshal Of the day, formed the
. procession in front of the State Bank. Al
! the head Of the procession was band OF
: Amateur musicians, whose services added
: much to the pleasure Of the occasion. In
t deed we speak the sentiments of others, as
: we'll as ourself, when we say that, without
n their aid, the procession would have been
j rather dull affair. We hope they may
S find it convenient on future occasions to
d "go and do likewisc.' The procession
: at the head of which marched ION FOOT the
e gallant Horse Guards, followed by the Ri
j file corps, took up its line Of march about
It o'clock. 1t was large procession fol
. Wilmington. AS with light and buoyan'
r tread it marched along Front-street, how
a eloquent was each eye of the bright, joy
f. Gus emotions which filled every heart
# On reaching the Church, the Military O.
J. pened their columns, through which the
} civil portion of the procession marched
If The Orator, Reader and Rev. Clergy en-
d ering the Church first. The Presbyte
e rian Church, Tin which the services of the
l. day were conducted,) although large
S building, was literally filled to overflow
e Jog. Our eye has seldom been greeted
a with scene so well calculated to aroust
1t the generous and patriotic feelings Of th'
d heart, as the one upon which we gazed 0.
1t entering the Church. The presence 0
IL lovely woman lent a charm to the gorge
is Gus picture. The blooming maiden, til,
o leaves of whose charms are just burstin.
h into WOmanhood-th matron, whose ey,
wandered with fond dalight to where
lie husband or a son participated in the les
III uvltles OF the day, gave to that picture it
re brightest and most beautiful tints. Th
i. Chaplain of the day, TOO, with his veneer
tie able face and his snow white locks, hal
y monlzed well with the other features {
Oh the day. The Grafton Of our young towns
Id man, Thos. d. Walker, Esq, was pro
Or duction worthy the occasion, and rehecte
u. honor alike on the head and heart of il
a. author. The warm, generous sentiment
which it bfeathed, clothed as they wer
In the glowing language of fervid imag
n nation, fell upon the ears of that vast aud
III tory with all the magic influence whic
m eloquence of language will ever exercis
d. over the feelings of mankind. The la:
Az part Of Mr.. Walkers address, in which h
alluded to Gen. Jackson's death, was rea
he ly touchingly eloquent. The tribute-whic
is he paid to the memory of the mighty deat
he was well timed and appropriate, and wo
at for Mr.. Walker many heartfelt " than
If. ye," from those who loved the old hel
st. whilst alive and who venerate his memor
. ] now that he has gone tn the land IF sn;,it