Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1855-07-11
THE GRAND RIVER TIMES.
GRAND HAVEN, mICffIGANt
WEDNESDAY, EVENING. JULY IL, 1855.


GRAND RApIDs.-Cool and delightful was
the morn that dawned upon the 10th ami
versary of American Independence. The
grateful breeze from the lake, as it waited its
way along our busy streets seemed to impart
new life and vigor to patriotic hearts swelling
with gratitude to Heaven, for granting us the
enjoyment of so rich boon as that handed
down to us by our venerable forefathers, as a
rich legacy, to be forever preserved inviolate,
and to be kept perpetually in remembrance
by appropriate observances. On this morn
of all others, the sorrowing seem to forget the
while their Affections; the unfortunate, their
calamities; the sick, their pains; the poor
their poverty; the oppressed their burdens.
The sunken eye seems to brighten-the paid
cheek assumes more of the scarlet glow-the
palsied hand becomes less tremulous, and the
trembling decrepit form assumes more of the
strength of manhood as the magic words " 4th
of July" fall with almost angelic sweetness
and power upon the attentive ear-awaking
in the throbbing bosom emotions of the pu-
rest delight, while thoughts that we are a
free and happy people are passing in rapid
and pleasing succession through the almost be-
wildered brain. Imbued to good degree
with the spirit of '76, we in common with
others of our fellow citizens resolved to cele-
brate the day in becoming manner, in I'M
ion with our "city" friends.
AT sunrise on that glorious morn" huge
wreaths of smoke might have been seen issll-
ing from the pipes of the Olive Branch and
Empire lying at our wharves and descending
in pleasing eddyings off in the distance, Civ
ing note of busy preparation for an excursion
up our beautiful river, to the center of attrac-
ton designated to our citizens and others in
the vicinity of the river as the place of all
others in the valley, where Patriotism should
have an opportunity afforded of exhibiting
herself to thousands of admiring spectators in
all her glory, honor and magnifcence.
Ere the hour of six arrived the shrill whis-
tie invited all on board, and after some delay
occasioned by a trial of strength between the
exertions of officers and crew assisted by steam
on the one hand to clear the Olive" from
the wharf, and the strong breeze from the
lake on the other to attach her thereto-the
difficulty at length overcome, she whirleG
away most calamity and threaded in a rapic
manner the tortuous channel of the river, to
wards her place Of destination. Arriving al
the future County seat, we in company with
our household companions stepped on board
happy to greet many of our friends, who were
prompted by the same zeal as ourselves t.
honor the day with ceremonies and offering
meet"
At Eastmanville, Steeles Landing, Sane
Creek, Granville and other places of less pre-
tensions, lovers with their sweet hearts, ole
bachelors forlorn and alone, husbands witt
their wives aud blooming little ones joined
our happy patriotic number, amid the roar 0
cannon, the squib Of fire crackers accompani
ed now and then with an explosion of al
overcharge Of gunpowder from some rust
pistol or musket, presenting an appearance a
though reserved especially to be used in hon
or of the cath" AT length near the hon
of midday the "Olive" with her ESQ passen
gers moved up majestically to her wharf as
conscious of the interesting and exciting scene
that were transporting in the vicinity.
On landing and casting the eye around
one could not but feel glow of enthusiasm
admirably suited to the occasion, as he behe
the thousands of his fellows who had com
from the valleys and hill-tops from the fel
tile plains and majestic forests, of our EIDE
Valley, to do meet homage to the Goddess
Liberty. There, upon our left, lay the Island
the site of the magnificent offering to be yield
ed up by multitudes of adoring hearts, beneat
the grateful shade of wide-speading elms an
near the sweet music of the waters of the eve
murmuring Rapids, upon the immediate bank
of which were spread in long array, amid bow
ers tastefully decorated, the tables which wer
to afford, by their delicious viands, strengtl
to the sinner man" of the vast concourse c