The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-24

The editor Of the Nashville Banner was present
on the 4th of July at an interesting celebration of
the national Anniversary, composed almost entirely
ofpioneers in the early settlement of Tennessee. 1t
seems that has been the custom of these venerable
mon to assemble from time to time TO refresh their
memories and to talk of the events of the active and
busy days of their youth The celebration took
place at the estate of David Barry, esq, of Sum-
ner and the whole day was passed al resco beneath
the shade ofrees which long had preceded the birth
of the Oldest of the party. The Banner thus de-
scribes the participators of the festival:
"There was General Hall, noble-looking old
gentleman, cracking his jokes almost with boysh
humor upon lisping Captain Jack Burns spruce
young fellow of only seventy-six, playmate Of his
early days, one who bore his years lightly as if the
winter of life had never shed snow-wrealh upon
his head, whose mschievous eye still twinkled
brightly, and whose laugh rang Out as clearly as
anciently around the campfire or upon the forest
paths. And there, too, was the veteran Indian
fighter Captain Reed, with his benevolent face and
quiet smile. To look at him, who would suppose
that the figure now so bowed, the step now, alas,
SO feeble had once been foremost in the battle and
the chase-that it once, testified to by his sur
vvlng comrades present. ouistrpped the foot of the
wild Indian in its widest fight-so hgt and swift,
indeed, that mounted man could hardly keep pace
with him, in those days before age had laid his
heavy hand upon his iron frame. And the others,
too: There was old Mr.. LauderdaIe, venerable
though athletic figure, and the brother Of Captain
Jack Burns, veteran like himself; and Messrs
Rogan and Wilson, and Carr, and Colonel Gard-
nera pleasant circle TO whom during brief stay
we were never weary of listening, they recounted
the events of the glorious, although fading past, in
whose scenes it had been their lot SO we'll TO act
their part.
"At the table we were joined by four venerable
matrons participants in the early hardships of
frontier life-Mrs Matthews, the lady of Gen.
Hall, the lady of the late Gen. Winchester, and
the lady Of Capt Read whilst younger and a
gayer circle contributed by their presence TO the at
fractions Of the scene. Ample justice having been
done the viands, the party again repaired to the
lawn, pipes were once more lighted, and the hours
merrily sped with tale and joke until the hour of
parting arrived, which, alas, came all too soon.
But it was there. Warm grasps were interchanged,
kind messages trembled upon many lip, and then
they parted with mutual congratulations on the
pleasure which had attended the OCCASION whilst
hopes were expressed that many similar anniver-
sary might be welcomed with like Joyous greet
ings."
Such a celebration as this can only occur in the
West, where similar ones not unusual and it is a
matter of surprise that public attention has not been
more frequently called to them. In few years
these venerable and veritable Cincinnati will all
have disappeared and there will be no living me-
MORALS OF the DAYS of trials and difficulty