The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-10
BY the committee :

the memory Oh ms aeeds WIN DC equa " an aimy WIN oah
By the committee:
Hon. Robert j. Walker Secretary Of the Treasnry-The
master spirit in the annexation Of Texas to the Union May
ns o. the great n DE saS
From the N. Y. Morning News
THE CELEBRATION OF OUR NATIONAL
ANNIVERSARY.
Though marked by no unusual feature, the pro-
gramme of arrangements was conducted throughout
in manner emncntly satisfactory TO all; while, as
a universal holyday, its enjoyment by the great
mass of our citizens was without alloy. Inc ele-
ments combined to give US the most agreeable
weather possible for the OCCASION and "thc mlllions
Of our city and surrounding country here congre-
gated, evinced pervading disposition to make the
most of the occasion, and the favorable auspices
which attended it. The streets were thronged; and
the military, Notwithstanding the frequent displays
Of ate turned out in great force. In all directions,
the national flag was given to the breeze. Inc
theatres, public gardens, and hotels were gayly
decorated, and the harbor was alive with steamboats,
loaded to the waters edge with their living freight,
and streaming with flags and banners OF all descrip-
tons. vast multitude of citizens also poured out
of the city From ten to twenty thousand it is es-
timated, visited Staten Island. The ferry-boats to
Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Jersey City, and Hobo
ken, were also crowded with passengers.
The approach of day was announced at early
dusk the preceding evening, by continued roar OF
firearms crackers, and other demonstrations of the
kind from the jealous rising generation of our city,
and continued till about IL o'clock; during which
time, in addition to the firing, the sound of music,
vocal as well as instrumental, was heard in every
direction. At IL o'clock effort to get up an alarm
of fire was made by some forty boys and men, who
dashed up the western Sidewalk Of Broadioay, from
Courtland street to st. Paul's Church, chow much
further, we could not see,) with freengine Number
Hcenty laundering at their heels, and No. close
behind them, in the middle of the street. They
however returned in a few minutes, without having
accomplished their object-the alarm-bcll obstinate
ly refusing to second their sport At daybreak,
however, the demonstrations of joy were commenced
in earnest, and pursued by all classes of citizens
throughout the day, in a manner showing that the
heart was indeed enlisted, and afforded the most
sincere qualification to every patriotic breast. Du-
ring the most of the day, our public places were
graced by the beauty of the city and the neghbor-
ing towns, and everything went off happily and
well
The appearance of the military elected universal
and wel-merited encomiums. At 9 o'clock they
were reviewed on the Battery, from whence they
marched through portion of Broadway, and other
Streets to the eastern gate of the Park where they
paid the honors of marching salute to the mayor,
the members of the common council, and other Of
fetal dgnitaries assembled in front ofthe City Hail.
After the review, the military were invited to par
lemonade and crackers and cheese served up in the
rooms of the superior court, City Hail.
There was also fine display of civic societies in
procession, preceded by excellent bands of music.
The Shamrock Benevolent Society, and the Labor
er's Union Society-both of them very numerous, as
relates to members-with their beautiful scarfs ban.
ners, and general paraphernalia, marched in pro-
cession to the Tabernacle, where an Grafton was
pronounced before them, by Henry Byrne, esq,
which was highly eloquent throughout The
Tabernacle was thronged by the members of the
societies and others, among whom were number
of ladies'.
The services were commenced by music from the
band; after which, the Declaration of Independence
was read by Mr.. Peter Collum.
In the evening, there were beautiful fireworks in
the Park, the Washington Parade Ground, Temp
kins Square, and at the places Of public amusement
Ground, and Washington" in front of the city
hall, were magnificent pieces.
The feature of the occasion, however, was the
total absence of fire alarms and serious accidents
Some hands were burned, and faces were scorched,
by squibs and powder; but such incidents were nei-
Their numerous, nor very serious in their conse-
quences. Although there appeared to be Us grea,
display of patriotism in the pyrotechnic line, by
children of all ages, az on any previous occasion,
yet very few instances occurred in which the expo-
sions were attended with danger to property. This
was probably owing to the vary general Reputation
sers" and "serpents," of which comparatively few
were used. We understand, however, that in sew.
eral cases fire was ignited on the roofs Of houses
by squibs Of various kinds; but in every case the
mischief was suppressed without raising genera
alarm by the prompt exertions of the police force
which, though small in numbers, was everywhere
on the alert for any occasion that might require the
services.
The evening scene, as presented from Staten Isl
and, the Jersey heights, or from the roofs OF oul
own houses, was magnificent. The night was suf
fciently dark to give full effect to the fireworks
The shores of the bay, from the Narrows, appeared
to be lined with fireworks of every variety and form
The city seemed to be sort ofvolcano, from which
thousands and tens of thousands of rockets wer'
sent up to illuminate the heavens. Along the shores
of the Hudson there appeared to be one continued
line of rockets, bonfres, and other descriptions
works, to make the scene interesting.
On the whole, the national anniversary has rarely
been observed Of late years at least with more gen
eral spirit and rejoicing; and never, probably will
fewer casualties to mar the enjoyments of the day
Long may il be so commemorated