The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1856-07-17
For the Westerly Echo.
4th Of July at Rockville.

so agreeably startled, as on last Friday
morning, when that glorious, and ever
memorable day dawned, on which the
ancient VETERANS stood shoulder to
shoulder in one bold and intrepid phal-
anx, and struck for that INDEPENDENCE
which waves unfurled in the battle and
the breeze 1T was ushered in by the
peels of cannon, which from the loca-
tion of the place, reverberated from rock
to rock, and from tree to tree. From
one of the tallest trees, waved in full
splendour, large appropriate flag,
which had most imposing appearance,
when contrasted with the dull monoto-
nous tone of the woods. Notwithstand-
ing the inclemcncy of the morning, tho
inhabitants, both old and young, were
perambulating the pic mic grounds, aud
from house to house, eagerly awaiting
the bursting forth of the king Of lights,
and the dispelling of the dark and low
ering clouds that enveloped the coun-
try, and drenched it with rain, which,
although it bore melancholy forebodings
to the hilarity of the anticipated pic
mic, yet the farmer was overjoyed to
see his corn and potatoes resume their
green attire, after the long draught, and
Illuminating in his own mind the merry
song Of the harvest home. Although
the time was short when they concluded
to have the picnic tho arrangements
and provision were such as to do honor,
not only to Rockville, but to the lar
gest city in the states. The refresh
mcuts were abundant, and were OF the
choicest quality, and were served up in
excellent style, which looked more like
those spread on board the New York
and Stonington Boats for supper, than
in the lonesome woods. Too much
praise cannot be given to the men who
fitted out the place for the occasion.
The hour appointed for the assemb-
ling of the children at the District
School house, was o'clock, but owing
to the rain, they did not muster till
between IL and l o'clock, when they
focked from their homes, with pleasure
sparkling from their bright eyes, and
all dressed beautifully. A gentleman
by the name Of Harris Lanphier, Esq,
formed the procession, and done it in as
mastery style, as if he had been in
the army fifty years. In tho procession
l observed about thirty farmers, with
appropriate mottos, for the occasion,
flowing above the gay and superb fash
ionables of the ladies, who gracod the
procession by marching in front. Be-
fore the procession started, Colonel
Crandall and others, helped the children
largely with crackers, then they started,
and marched in regular order to the
pic mic grounds, where were some gym
nasiums, for relaxation, spacious plat
form erected, and seats capable Of ac
commodating two-thousand people -
During the procession, the cannon was
believing ut the top Of its voice, which
made the woods echo.
After they got seated, the moderator
announced the order Of exercises, which
was as follows list, Prayer by Rev.
p. s.. Crandall Singing by the Choir
Reading the Declaration of Indepen-
dencc, by John Dickson, Esq. Speech
on Slavery, on Kansas affairs, by Rev.
A. B. Burdick; Singing by the Choir
Address to the children, by Rev. p. S.
Crandall Singing and Benediction by
Rev. A. b. Burdick. The president
chosen to preside on the occasion, was
G. N. Chester, Esq, and vice presidents
were Messrs. Simon Kenyon, Oliver
Clark, Samuel Crandall, James Boss,
Isaiah Crandall CLERKS, Mcssrs Jas.
G. Baker, Jas S. Maxon. Rev. p s.
Crandall, commenced with an appro.
pirate prayer, for the occasion he was
followed by the choir, led by Alanson
Crandall, in an appropriate piece, and
sung in mastery style.-tho music
had splendid effect in the woods.
After singing, the Rev. A. B. Burdick,
proceeded with his address, which was
both entertaining and eloquent and
just when he had thoroughly got into
the marrow of Kansas affairs, and the
Sumner case, he was interrupted by
Mr.. Lanphier, who observing the clouds
ovcrcastiug, and hearing the muttering
of the thunder in the distance, knew
that rain was fast approaching, he re-
commended that they should repair to
the tables, which was spread with the
luxuries, and staff OF life, and eat heart