American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-05

and telegfapnlc news Contain'
INDEPENDENCE DAY.-Our National Anniver-
saw is past Yesterday our entire population
,r;tbdra from the tolls, the labors and the
cares Of b, usiness, and gave themselves up to
tbe ca,ehrat;,>u of national festival to-day,
order industry ). nd thrift are everywhere ap-
parent.
We have never seeAo more auspiclous uay
for such an occasion. "A refreshing shower
had preceded it, and cool ana pleasant oreezes
prevailed throughout the day, while transient
clouds were passing beneath the Sun, assuagng
his feryor and protecting from his constant
glare. There was scarcely thoughs OF neat
and even the most exposed situations were nor
oppressive =,
The programme of the day proceedings, ike
The orders of General SCOTT on the eve of his
battles, might be written down as history AFTER
the event.
The whole procession was under the COM
mand of j. Madison Cults, Chief Marshal. 1t
was not very large, but respectable in extent,
and beautiful, orderly and imposing in appear
ance. OF all who united in it, the Marshals
alone rode. Even the President of the United
States took his position in the line on foot.
The first division comprised the military es-
cort. under the command Of L. ]. Middleton,
marshal, and presented an admirable appear
ance. 1t consisted of the " Washington Light
Infantry" Capt. TATE; the g National Greys,'
Lieut.. TATE; the "Walker Sharpshooters,
Lieut.. Birkhead; the g Columbia Artillery" OF
Baltimore, Major MAllister; the "National
Blues" of Baltimore, Captain CHESTNUT; the
"Artillery," of Alexandria, Capt. Duffy. In
addition to the martial music of each company
there were the Marine Band, stationed at our
Navy Yard, and the Light Infantry Band, led by
Capt Marsolette.
The officers of the Army and Navy formed
noble-looking feature in this first division OF
the procession.
The second division consisted of the civic
procession, under DR.. Magruder, including the
officers of the United States government, OF
Washington, Georgetown, &c.
The third division, under G. A. Schwarzman,
marshal, consisted of the Masonic fraternity
which turned out in larger numbers, it is said
than on any previous occasion in this city.
The fourth division, Joseph Libbey, marshal
perance ORDERS for whom the day was one o
proudest triumph.
The fifth division, under s. L. Lewis, mar
shall, embraced various other societies. delega
tons, sc.
The ceremony of laying the conversions
could of course be witnessed by but few of thu
great multitude assembled, which probably
numbered ten thousand persons The ancien
rites of the Masonic fraternity were duly OBJ
served in the ceremony.
The address of b. b. FRENCH, NJ. w. G. NJ
of the District of Columbia, was brief occupying
not more than twenty minutes; but it was
well expressed and TO the purpose associating
the great idea of UNION with the important
event of the day.
The grafton Of Mr.. WEBSTER, though cur
tailed in the delivery, occupied nearly TIVE
hours 1t was a wise, elaborate and patriot
review Of the past and present condition of on
country, and comprised the recital Of mucl
statistical data. There was probably less in j
intended or adapted to merely entertain thu
nearer than in any other Grafton ever delivered
on like OCCASION but more to interest, tc
arouse us TO right appreciation of our true
condition and destiny as a nation.
About three o'clock the booming cannon an.
nounced that the ceremonies were ended, and
the several companies and societies were OF
their march to their places of disbanding.
The military companies of our city wit
their guests, were entertained throughout tn
day at the National Hotel.
The Sons of Temperance repaired to thei
Hall, where q splendid collation. had been pre-
pared for them by Mr.. G. Columbus. They
gathered around the tables in large numbers, anc
Toasted sumptuously and drank freely of icec
water and lemonade, of which they had al
abundant supply. Their repast being over
they passed good portion of the afternoon i
cheerful conversation and short speeches, an
separated sober and without fight or quar-
rel throug hout the whole day-of course
The afternoon passed off in quetness. o.
the Avenue the aspect Of q Sabbath day wa
presented in most sections of the city. On tn
Avenue, crowds of people Of all colors passed t
and fro in pursuit of every novelty, and in evi
dent enjoyment of the independence realized b
many of them. The Baltimore Military Com
panies were between four and FIVE o'clock es
corted to the cars by the Light Infantry an
Independent Greys; and the Alexandria volur
teers we're escorted to the steamboat wharf b
the Walker Sharpshooters.
Night had scarcely closed in upon us ere tn
gorgeous pyrotechnic display was begun, an
our whole city came forth to see it. Many ap
preached the scene of this exhibition, but man.
more were content to behold from distance tn
brilliant lights as they assembled into air and ex
ploded in glowing beauty