The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-10
Our YOnkers Correspondence.

IoNhEks, July 4, 1917
The Celebration of the Fourth at Yonkers.
From your interchangeable exertons to give the
world information of all that passes it that is mpor-
tant, take the liberty of giving you some IN relation
to The celebration of this day. Passing along the
road, in the neighborhood of Kings Bridge, was
attracted by the voices of number Of little chill
dren They proceeded from dense wood on the
hill side and, on listening moment, discovered
that they were singing the patriotic and ever
memorable song Of L" Hail, Columbia" The per-
feet time they kept, and the clear enumeration of
the words, induced me TO Chamber up the hill. To
my surprise, found an open cleared space in the
wood, near the residence OF John Even, Esq,
our late worthy Comptroller, on beautiful knoll
and there, under the shade OF the trees, were
gathered together some twenty or thirty girls
and boys, "a and number OF ladies' and gentlemea;
overhead waved the American flag, under
meath 1t stage was erected, on which, TO my
surprise, saw Samuel Thompson, the Rev. Jo-
seph r. Mann, and James X. Whiting. soon
learned that they had gathered there TO celebrate
the day. The exercises had began and proceeded
To the song, which attracted Inc TO the spot. Soon
Dung lad was called TO the rOstrum, who de-
llvered IN AN appropriate MANNER and IN clear and
distinct voice, 80 the American fiay|-a poem full
Samuel Berrien, the son of an industrious but poor
man IN The neighborhood, and he gives great pro-
mise of future usefulness. The next speaker was
Snd1ltS BtrIltn, VINO delivered the American
Patnol's Song" IN gallant style. James r. VIII,
ting, Jr., delivered prose piece on the character
OF Laiay cite, which was exceedingly well written
and was well delivered. The Rev. Mr.. Mann
then addressed the children, and Mr. Whiting de-
livered short oralIon. The exercises were
interpersed with patriotic songs, and ended In he
distribution OF books, coffee, sandwiches, cake,
and cold water to the children, who, l learned,
were sabbath scholars, and were there to celebrate
the day, and to receive the reward of their good
conduct. must say, that In the course OF my lite
! never enjoyed couple OF hours with more unal-
loyed pleasure. The scholars were all neatly
dressed and wore on the breast neat rO5ettes.-
Their department every thing that could be
wished, and their singing and speaking was OF
high order Tor children of their age. They spoke
their little pieces with clearness and distlncness,
and without falierlng. The address was beautiful
and happy illustrating The truth that the pastor may
mix with his people and their children, !" ENJOY
day OF graduation and Joy, without being deiled.
Tie Grafton was Ut an unusual character-short,
simple, eloquent and new. The history OF our
country It's discovery, settlement, her struggles,
her dstesses, her triumphs and her hopes, her pro-
gress success, accomplishments, and her destiny all
comprised within speech OF twenty minutes 1t
was worthy Of the day, and was highly credtable
10 the author. His audience listened with great
delight, and was more than repaid IN the COM
mandlDg eloqutnce OF some portions OF II. Speak
ing Of the Declaration Of Independence, he SAID
at has stood before the world a monument of
wisdom, ana a tower Of strength. 1t declares
the political truth-that government is for the
benefit OF the people-the right to resist OPP
preston, and that man is capable OF seltgovern-
ment. 1t marks an craft solved problem-and
gave birth To a nation. Ii is consecrated by more
than three-score years and ten, and is now convus-
ing Europe from us centre to IFS circumference.
This fourth day If July is emphatcally our day
our great American festal day-our day OF birth
of prIde-of glory and of triumph. We have con-
secrated IL by blood-we fully gave it forth to the
world, with decent respect to the opinions of man
kind"
On enquiry, found that Mr. Whiting lived near
the spot, aud this gathering was upon his land. |
admit that | envled these geniemeu, seeing that IL
long remembered by the little hearts made most
Joyous on the occasion. +. :. q.