The Gonzales inquirer. [volume] (Gonzales, Tex.) 1853-current, 1853-07-09
THK CRLHpRATI0N.

THx CELEBRATION.
The morning Of the Fourth opened bright
and clear, giving prospect Of pleasant day for
the mirth and jQity Of our friends. From ear
iy morn until I6S'clock, people were seen flock.
ing In from every part Of the county, and at
halfpast ! o . large company Of ladies' and gen.
tlemen assembled at the Court House and
marched In procession to a beautiful grove Of
forest trees, on the banks of tho Guadaloupe
river, known among our citizens as the "Ca,up
Ground" where ample arrangements had bs en-
made for the entertainment Of . large number
OF persons. A platform for the orator had been
erected beneath the spreading branches Of a
grand old oak, that looked AZ III had withstood
the storms Of q century, and still waved it's
branches, fresh aud green, DER this fcstal scene,
a fitting emblem Of that great Republic, whose
independence we were celebrating. Immcdi-
atcly In front were arranged seats for the ledics,
while at . little distance stood . triangular and
neat looking dinner table.
Thc ceremonies Of the day were opened with
prayer by tho Rev. J. II. Stribling, and wo
trust the solemn thanksgiving for liberty and
the prayer for future guidance and prcserva.
ton, so cioqnently offered by the reverend gen.
tleman, found an echo In the heart of every ono
who heard it. Then followed the reading of
the Declaration of Independence by Albert N.
Mills, Esq, and the audience enjoyed tho rare
and delightful satisfaction of hearing one Of tho
most eloquent compositions ever given to the
world, read in n graceful and appropriate man.
ncr. In order to be fully appreciated, it should
be read in n full, clear and distinct tone, and
without tho least hurry or embarrassment;
and we really think that Mr.. Mills acquitted
himself with great credit on this occasion.
Immediately after tho second performance oil
tho band, nm Grafton was delivered by our cs.
tecmcd fellow citizen, II. 8. Parker, Esq. Al
though oppressed with n slight headache, and
consequently somewhat excited, his effort was
n very happy one and gave unbounded pleas.
urc to the numerous friends who surrounded
him. His ideas were generally original and
we'll expressed, his illustrations vivid and real,
while through the whole ran a vein OF rich and
glowing feeling and patriotism, that showed the
honest pride Of an American heart in ~recollec-
tons of the pest history of his country.
! AT o'clock, the company adjourned to the
dinner table, where they partook with great
glce of the substantial fare prepared for them,
and soon after left the ground quietly and mp.
parcntly well satisfied with themselves and all
the world besides.
We should think from the rough and hasty
estimate we were able to form, that there were
at least six hundred and fifty or seven hundred
persons present, which, when we take into
consideration that there were several cclcbra.
tons IN the different parts of the county on thu,
day, might be called q fair gathering. The
management Of tho whole affair, from begin.
ming to end, reflected great credit on the ori,
girators and conductors Of ii. The manner in
which such a large CROWD partook of the recre.
atoms offered them, and the quiet and plcasan,
way in which they separated, speaks well fol
Gonzales county, and shows more true good
breeding and refinement, than the citizens Of
older States would suppose could be met with
in tie wilds Of Western Texas. Thus may Il
ever be.