Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-07-20
NEw YoRk. july SIN. 1855

time oil reaction and fatigue for If one
day OF the year more than all others calls
into action the energies of our people, 1t
is the anniversary of our independence.
Every one is bound on that day TO en-
Joy himself SO the utmost; and not a few
90 SO far as to make an actual toll OF
pleasure. Even those who have to strain
hard to make both ends meet during the
rest of the year, manage to lay by some
thing for this great occasion, and spend
their hard earned savings as freely as If
they had the exhaustless purse of Fortu-
natus himself. As various as are human
tastes, so various are the amusements of
the day. Some embark on the various
excursion boats that leave our wharves,
black with pleasure seekers; others es-
chew the crowd and make quiet pedes-
trian exploration in the neighborhood. or
perhaps try their fortune piscatorially in
some inviting brook, blessing the memo
~ of old Izak Walton third class ce-
lebrate the festival by catering with a
more liberal hand than usual to the appe-
tiles of the inner man; but the great ma
jority show their patriotism by lavish
indulgence in gunpowder. Especially is
this case with the Juvenile community,
whose universal investments in fire crack
ers. pistols, guns, torpedoes, miniature
cannon, and whatever other Illuminating
compound or engine can make day hide
Gus with Internal noise, are enough to
drive a nervous man into the slough of
desperation. Not satisfied with the day
itself, they commence the night before /;
and he must be some kin to the seven
sleepers that can set their din at defiance,
and suore down the everlasting explo-
sions that assail his ears.
The celebration of the day commenced
at sunrise, by the firing of salute from
the Battery by the Veteran Artillery
Corps. Masses of clouds at this time OBJ
scured the heavens; but these soon broke
away, and the day was as pleasant as
could have been desired. The first Di-
vision of the New York State Militia,
embracing twelve regiments. paraded in
the morning, and made a fine appearance.
The Seventh Regiment, made up of the
National Guards, and numbering about
six hundred muskets, attracted universal
admiration. They are regarded as the
most effective body among our city mill
tia, and are usually called on in prefer
encs to any other regiment in cases of ri
OF. They, it will be remembered, queI-
led the Astor Place disturbance, on the
occasion of Macready's performance in
this city.
A Fourth of July never occurs without
an unusual share of fires and accidents
Ofthe former, we had as many as three,
though thanks to an abundance of Gro
ton water. the damage done was trifling.
A o.
ported as having suffered more or less Sc
riously, from the decorating of a hand to
the loss of an eye by the explosion or care.
less discharge of fire arms. We observed
little or no drunkenness in the streets; al
though the hootings of some that passed
our window late in the evening, indicated
a degree of exhilaration that did not
seem to have been produced in the natu-
raj way.
The,day was signalized, however, in a
manner, which, alas for our reputation
for sobriety and good order. has of late
become fearfully common. A desperate
riot took place in the morning, which
lasted more than an hour, and resulted
in the severe injury of several citizens
and policemen. 1t occurred in this wise.
As one of Kipp & Browns stages was
passing down Hudson street, at the cor
ner of Troy. the horses became frighten-
ed by the noise, and the driver losing
control of them, dashed into a procession
OF Irish citizens, who were thus celebra-
ting the day, numbering about FIVE hun
bred. At this indiguity Irish blood was
fired; the puguacity which this choleric
race inherit from their sireS. and which
forms as distinguishing feaure of their
character here as it does in the old coun-
try, would not allow them to pocket the
nIfront. They headed the horses, pulled
the driver from his seat, and, without
asking questions, proceeded to beat him
in the most barbarous manner. a num-
Der of citizens who saw what had taken
place, attempted to interfere, but were
themselves assailed, and the fight became
general. Meantime intelligence of the
riot had been conveyed to the North
Ward Police, and eighteen officers soon
appeared on the field. They were short
ly afterwards reinforced by the captain of
the Sixteenth Ward Police, and number
ofhis men; but though they did their du-
Is gallantly, they were unable to cope
with five hundred Irishmen whose blood
was up, and it was only after being assist
ed by our citizens in great numbers that
they succeeded in quelling the riot. 1t
was bloody fight; fists. clubs and brick
bats were the principal weapons, although
some of the mob had and used pistols
The running fight continued down Hud-
son street as far as Hammersley, about
half mile from the place where it COM
menced Here the Irish banner was de-
stroyed, and this seemed to cool the pas
sion of the belligerents. A number who
were attracted to the spot by the noise,
and took no active part in the melee, were
struck with stones, which flew in consi.
dnrnhln nrnhhsrs SiN Of thu nnlicn Morn