Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-07-15
BERKELEY SPRINGS, July eth 1851.


Messrs Editors 20 National Ami
ycrsary was celebrated BY the citizens Of
| this place and vicinity in, q manner which
struck me as much more national and appro-
pirate than tile ordinary barbecue dinner,
half civic, half military, spieed with brandy,
toasts, and gunpowder, As the Orator of
thcday eloquently remarked .the high aims
aud mighty consequences of our revolution
are too frequently overlooked in our adnira-
ton Of the military achievements by which 1t
was accomplished" Hsacs the intimate as
ISOLATION in the national mind between the
I Fourth ofJuly aud the smell Of birthstone.
But why should the day be given up exclu-'
sively to voters and soldiers? The ladies'
God bless them have they no part 10 our
national freedom ?have theyne rights or priv
ileges to be thankful for? and then the boys
do not they too enjoy this dear bought
liberty-yes ! you reply, an insufferable
share of it in Martinsburg -why then have
atically excluded from our patriotic rejoicings
on the fourth? AS every thing good or bad
is to be reformed let this old custom be thor
oughly reformed and let Morgan have tho
honor of having first set the praiseworthy ex-
ample in this section at least iiy
p Our people turned out en- mdsse and after
listening to the Grafton (of which shall
speak presently marched in procession to
the grove where handsome entertainment
awaited them The company numbered a.
bout three hundred of both sexes and Of all
ages. The meat table received due atten-
ton from the adults, and tubs of lemonade
aud buckets Of water fresh from the springs
(said when iced to be the finest beverage in
the worla) afforded the proper and only re-
freshment totbe thirsty. After the substan-
tials were discussed the entire company col
lected about the desert table which was a.
bundantly supplied with nuts, confectionery,
cake and ice cream. Every thing was Of
the best and what was better, was served
round by the protest and sprightiest girls in
the county. Cakes and confectionery were
showcred into the laps Of the little girls who
sat in circles on the grass, whose tasteful
dresses. many colored ribbons, faces dimpiog
with pleasure and rosy with health. reminded
one for all the world of pa,terre of flowers.
Next to these sat rows of chubby patient
boys waiting their turn to be served learning
in infancy the first lesson Of the chivalrous
respect. for the gentle sex which so emil
! uently charactcrizes our American PEOPLE 49,
4 the elders Of our community stood around
smiling on their children and grand children.
Three generations joined in the celebration
and partook OF the dinner together. repre-
sentatires of the past, present, and future
4 yepGbric. = Fl q ~. e
1 Here was tableau for apoitician to look
at aud consider. a.g sls#s'b ie1ata1
The services in the church were opened by
an eloquent and appropriate prayer by the
Rev MIR. Parkinson. after which MIR. Joseph
ii. Wheat read the Declaration of Independ-
enee IN clear and agreeable manner The
Star Spapglcd Banner was then sung By the
choir and was followed hy Mr. Duckwalrs
spirited and impressive address On the