Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-07-09

"so '"0'e'1''y uecorateu Win national and regmo,
tai flags, and the general good arrangements '
much commended. Icewater--a new and s' 'e
idea-was plentfuy supplied TO all by polts s wv
attentive members Of the military companies NJ my
Orator, Reader and Chaplain occupied the Sn.,l>'
seat, and that of the Clerks was occupied h."
Hons. r. M. Pearson and w. H. Battle. Iud.'. "s
| the Supreme Court, and the Rev. Albert Sm.,
The following was the order of the exercises.
Prayer, by the Rev. J. M. ATKINSON.
Music.
Reading Of the Declaration of Independence
by PULASKI CowPER ESQ.
.s-. t,s+ ..- $50. Music.
Grafton, by w. w. HOLDEN. Esq.
Renediction.
The Declaration of Independence was admi,,u.
read by Mr.. Cowper, and of the Grafton We w1lt
pardoned if we decline expressing an opinion,
At the conclusion of the exercises the m;r,,-
were drawn up on the west side of the buldin:
where they fired spirited salute; after which ha
took their departure to Ryas spring to part,k. :,
an excellent dinner, in company with several =,
their honorary members and friends The dDn..
passed off to the entire satisfaction of all concen,s
Mirth and music, songs and toasts were the ord.,
of the day, and about three o'clock they returned ~
town, parading round and through Capitol Sonar.
and then returned to their quarters.
/ At the appointed hour the children conne,t.,
with the various Sabbath Schools assembled, formal
in procession, and, headed by band of mus,
marched to the Presbyterian Church, where her
were addressed by Rev. j. M. Atkinson We d
not hear the address, but it is spoken of in n.
highest terms At the conclusion of these Service,
the children proceeded to their respective scho0
rooms to partake of bountiful feast.
In the evening the Capitol gates were tasteauv
decorated, and two large and handsome ILLUMINATED
stars were suspended on the wall of the South end
of the Capitol These portions of the illumination
were under the superintendent Of Mr.. j. C.
Lumsden, and were admirably gotten up. The four
principal streets leading to the Capitol were also it,
Illuminated by row of barrels of rosin, and added
greatly to the general appearance.
At dark the fireworks were commenced. under
the management of Mr.. w. H. Thompson, and We
are sure we speak the common sentiment when We
say that the display in itself the best ever wit
messed here, and that the firing of the different
pieces was most successful. The rockets, however
were decidedly bad; and after having fired some
eight Or ten of them, Mr. Thompson thought it pru.
dent to lay the balance aside lest life might be sacri
feed by the premature explosion of these missiles
In this we think be was right.
The Balloon ascension, under the management Of
Prof. Harris, of Salisbury in this State was de.
cided feature in the celebration. Expectation was
high, and yet was fully met. Punctually to the
hour Prof. Harris inflated his "pilot balloon, which
on being released shot beautifully into the air. and
as it sailed westwardly discharged one large can.
nonade ball, attached to it as compliment to the
ladies of Raleigh, with tremendous roar and this
was responded to by hearty cheer from the spec
tators. So successful was this effort, and SO large
was this "pilot" balloon, that many of the audi.
ence left the ground with the impression that the
" Balloon ascension inserted in the programme had
taken place. Immediately, however, the balloon
CONTRACTS for was brought forward, and most sue.
cessfully inflated, in from five to ten minutes 1t
was some thirty feet high, and fully eighty in
circumference. A battery of thirteen heavy con.
nonade balls, one for each of the "Old Thirteen"
was attached to be fred in succession as the bal
loon assembled, and also o quantity of fireworks
Every thing being adjusted, the signal to "let 60"
was given, and the huge mass shot beautifully
heavenward. Unfortunately, however, when some
distance from the earth, the wire attaching the bat
terry to the balloon snapped, and the balls fell othe
earth. Prof Harris Immediately rushed upon them
and with his pocket knife endeavored to cut off the
burning ends of the thirteen fuses to prevent the
balls from exploding in the midst Of the dense
crowd; but finding his efforts unavailing, he called
out to the people to clear away, and casting the bat
terry from him sought safety himself in flight By
this time the space from which the balloon ascend
ed AID now conaining the battery was we'll cleared
and the frs. ball exploded with boom that seem
ed to shake the very earth. This was the signal for
another rush in the crowd:
All then and there were sudden part;nos
And trembiings Of. distress; 90
And cheeks all pale, which but an hour ago,
Blushed at the praise of their own loneliness.
Ball after ball spent its fire and fury on the air for
they could now harm no one. In fact there was IT.
tie or no danger in them, when the people Withdrew
from their immediate vicinity. Indeed very MANI
thought the firing on, the ground a part Of the
"show though "not in the bills, and after thesr
element was over, every body was well satisfied
and highly amused at the accident In the mean
time the balloon sailed off magni6cently to the'd'
miration of all. But on the whole Prof Harris
made decided hit" His system Of balloonings
the best we have ever seen. The breaking OIL
wire prevented him from showing the GROWING
point of his effort but it gave the ladies and gentle
men assembled to witness it fine opportunity
showing their agility We recommend the ProfeS
sor to all desiring balloon ascensions. We have only
to add, in closing that we have not heard Of I"
49, ,hornd
ring the day.
OF the COMMITTEES Of Arrangements, We feel con-
strained to say, that they deserve great praise @