Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-07-10
Celebration of the Fourth.

manner IN wilmington, On OdEaIud5 i0o1'-
Hew could it be otherwise? Whose heart
ard feelings could remain cold and un:ouch-
ed, on day like this WAC that calls him
self an American citizen bat must feel and APP
preciate the noble impulses which the annual
return Of this day must ever bring with it! A
day which commentaries the most glorious
and important event which the annals of this
or any other country record. When We re-
collect that twas upon this day that the lamp
Of Liberty, which now sheds its hallowed
light over the Western hemisphere, was SOL
EMMY lighted upon the affairs Of America
and when, too, we look around as and find
that it continues to burn with undmmed lus-
ire, with what feelings Of gratitude and pride
should the annual return of this glorious day
be hailed,
The morning was ushered in with the JOY
Gus peaIing of bells and the booming of artil-
lery. At dawn Of the morning, Federal sa-
lutte of thirteen minute guns announced to our
citizens that the celebration of national
Jubilee had commenced. At an early hour in
the morning our streets presented quite an
animated scene. The Clarendon Guards, our
beautiful horse company. and the Wilmington
Guards, the recently ORG anized Infantry corps,
pasading the streets, gave TO our town quite
military appearance, whilst crowds of civil
ians througed the sidewalks. At half-past
o'clock Col. JAMES +. MILLER, chief Marshal,
assisted by Thomas Howey, formed the pro-
ding to the programme which we published on
former occasion. The Clarendon Guards, on
foot, and the Wilmington Guards headed the
procession, which was really a large and res
pectabe one. There was band Of Amateur
musicians present on the occasion, whose spi-
Ilt stirring strains lent an additional charm to
the enthusiasm of the day. The procession,
at about o'clock, took the line of march for
the Methodist Episcopal Church, where the
services Of the day were conducted. And
here let Us tender our thanks, as one of the
citizens of Wilmington, to the congregation of
that Church, for their courtesy in permitting
its use for the celebration. On reaching the
Church, the military opened their ranks, in
o.der that the civil portion of the procession
might pass through. The Orator. Reader and
Reverend Clergy, entering first. The House,
although large one, was literally filled to
overAowing. On entering the sacred edifce,
our eyes were greeted with one of the most in
teIesting spectacIes upon which they ever ga
zed. The body of the edifce was crowded al
most to sutfocaujon- But what lent to the scene
its most attractive features, was the presence Of
a large number of Carolina's faiFest daughters.
Whose heart could remain cold to the inspi-
ration of The moment, when he gazed on the
faces of the young and the lovely, whose ra-
diant smiles and bright eyes SO eloquenuy
picture! Music, too, lent its charms to the
magic influences of the hour. During the SER
vices, several appropriate pieces were execu-
ted E fine style by choir Of amateur vocal
lists, TO whose services on the occasion, the
people Of Wilmington are much indebted
A most solemn and impressive prayer was Of
tered up by the Rev. A. p. Rppiton, who Official
ted as Chaplain of the day. Then was read
the Declaration Of independence by Griffith j..
McRee, every sentence and every word of
which should be engraved on the hearts of the
american people, in characters of living light.
The Orator Of the day, EDWARD CANrwELL,
then rose, and difficult and delicate task, In
deed, was his. Enjoying a reputation for
talents as brilliant writer and a polished
scholar, which it is the fortune Of few men
Of his age to attain, public expectation was
on uptne. Much was expected. There
fore the extreme delcacy Of the task, which
And we'll and nobly did he sustain that repu'
Iation. II has been our fortune to listen to a
number Of similar addresses in various parts
Of the country, and to have head some of the
FIRST men in the State officiate on occasions
like the one about which We are now speak
ing, but never do we remember any on which
we were more pleased, than on Saturday last
We speak but the unanimous sentiments o.
the vast audience who listened with intense
and wrapped attention to Mr.. CantwelPs elo
qnent address, when we say that, as specl
men Of finished oratory, it far exceeded VIVA
even his most intimate friends had expected
We will not pretend to sketch this brilian
effort of the gifted speaker. We would d.
Mr.. Cantwell injustice. Besides, We hop,
that the address will be published. Indeed
every one with whom we have spoken on thi
ct, has expressed similar wish. SIEVE
,, during its delivery, the audience
by the magic influence which the e
Antiments that fell from the lips Of tn
eaker exercised over their hearts
into Irresistible plaudits. We hav