The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-07-12
For the HinneSotiap.
COuntv.

MESSKS' Ed iohS' VII you LOT Will
bear 18th our infirmities and let Columbu
blow her horn, and that every patriotic cti
zen may know the exact whereabouts of GU
embryo city, will inform them that "Co
lumbus" is situate some twenty miles nortl
OF Saint Paul, on the Lake Superior Road
but as my purpose is to give you an outline
OF proceedings of the fourth of July celebra
ton, | must for the present eschew all de
sire to descant upon the merits of Columbus
and will only say, in western phra se, W.
have got "point )" but, however, to tn,
point. The morning of the fourth of July
1856, was one of the finest, and was usher
ed in by the merry song birds warblins
notes waited along on the gentle breeze, ant
to the rejecting mind was no doubt a goof
duplication of the glorious principle --liber
ty-for which our forefathers fought and
achieved. What more fitting emblem OF
Liberty than the free bird of the air 2 Oul
little children were up and dressed betimes
looking like the children of freemen, with
their happy faces.
Shortly, from every direction might be
seen carriages of every description, from the
turnout of the modern Jehu to the more
primitive mode of terrestrial navigation by
the help of the OK and the ass.
One of the latter cllss deserves passing
notice, and is worth recording. While the
carly portion of the exercises were pro-
ceedng, our ears and senses were startled
by noise resembling the whoop of the In
dian, and in the distance could be seen com
ing from the north chariot drawn by three
oxen, tandem fashion. On near approach
it proved to be our sturdy neighbour j. P.
Howard, with Citizen John Higgins and
others-ratc of locomotion about six miles
an hour.
Citizen Howard, whose features we could
scarcely discern for natures covering was
astride the near wheel OK, armed with an
an immense hickory sapling, which served
the double purpose of a guide and propel-
ler-his head being encased in a sort of
helmet, and wearing an aspect of sternness
which would become Senator Their ap-
proach was welcomed with three hearty
cheers, and on close examination we dis
covered an immense block of ice, which was
brought as present by Mr.. Howard for the
use of the company, and it was one of the
great comforts of the day.
About four o'clock the company were as
sembled under a large awning to hear the
address of James Starkey, Esq.
After few preliminary remarks by the
orator, he then addressed the asscmblage as
follows;
FELLow-CITIzENs: We meet this day to
celebrate the anniversary of one of The
greatest events that history can or ever will
record. The morning of the Fourth of July,
1776, ushered into existence that hallowed
production, " The Declaration of American
Independence the influence of which has
been sensibly fcltn every habitable part of
this terrestrial sphere, and upwards of
twenty-five millions of living beings made
after the image of their Creator are now en-
joying the incstimable blessings of life, lib
erty and the pursuit of happiness.
AT this moment the heart of every true
American citizen is beating in extaces and
delight, vieing with each other in a honora-
bic spirit of rivalry to see who among them
shall do NEST honor to this glorious day.
The silent prayer of the patriarch-the sim
cere and reverent thanks of our Gospel min
isters-the booming of cannon, and merry
church bells pea!ing forth their grateful
notes. lntermingled with all these, in one
glorious harmony, goes forth the gratitude
OF the American peoi4e, ascending on high
to the presence of the Eternal God, and
there depositing them on the altar of his
remembrance.
is not such a contemplation sublime q
| and yet the day realizes such a one in our
history; and we in this new countryside
home of our adoption and chocc-have met
with all the majesty of freemen to render, in
unison with our fellow citizens, the homage
due to the memory of so ilustrious ar
event. Let our spirits, comminglng with
the loved friends of our early days, far of
from our sight and hearing, breathe nought
this day but gratitude and rejoicing. Let 9
sacred halo be thrown around the memory
of our revolutionary sires-let us teach oul
children to lisp their names with alteration
and engrave upon the tablet of their memory
the matchless Declaration of Independence
This day memory carries us back to the
land of our birth---to the old folks at home
to beloved relatives and friends-the ole
school house and village church, now pass
our vision in found remembrance. For &
! while let us forget the busy din of worldly
strife, and in one holy bond of brotherhood
and love celebrate this day-let the feast O
reason and the flow of soul prevail.
Look around and for moment consider
on this spot, one year since nought was see1
or heard save the howl of the savage wolf
the wild whoop of the Red man; the lightning
in its downward flight splitting in ten thous
and fragments the old monarch of the fores
while the pesling thunder reverbrated from
hill to hill; dame nature alone reigned her
unmolested-now what do we behold how
all has chanoed the white MANS F,o. rr;,,+