The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-07-09
PORTAGE SENTINEL.
LOCAL AND PERSONAL.


seems to have been most agreeable and sat
isfaetOry to ell who attended. The con.
course Of people was large. At least eleven
townships idnPOrtnge county were handsome
ly Represented Mahoning snd Trumbull
counties had also large delegations. In the
morning the sky was somewhat cloudy, but
no rain. The roads were in good order
afording an excellent opportunity for the
people to assemble. During the middle Of
the day and afternoon, the sun shone bright
ly.. There was never a better day for such
celebration. At 10 O'Clock the procession
formed at the Lewis Hotel, under the charge
OF competent marshals, and preceded by the
Rayenna Brass Band and an excellent Mar
tial Band from Edinburgh, marched to the
grove, where the leading exercises of the
day were held. -. .r....., ...
Rev. A. I. TUTTLE oticiated as Chap.
lain. and opened the exercises by an address
to the Throne of Grace.
The Declaration ofIndependence was read
in clear impressive voice by II. H. Wiz
LARD Esq. This is the most sacred docu-
ment among the records Of the country. Ii
is not only master piece of composition,
but it is the great chart OF our National In.
dependence. Here, in lines clearly AID dis
tinc;ly written, are to be traced the duties OF
rulers, the objects of government and the
rights Of men. Whenever it is read to an
American audience, especially to those in
whose veins courses the blood of our rcvolu.
tionary fathers, 1t cannot fail to awaken pat
riotic and holy emotions in the heart, and
arouse to greater vigilance in preserving
the noble Inheritance bequeathed US by the
illustrious dead. zsa
After the reading OF the Declaration, came
that great national hymn, "The Star Span
gled Banner" Next ia order was the ora
zion delivered by ALpHoNso HART, senior
Editor of this pdper.
nIOne Of the finest features of the celebra.
ten, was the address Of Gen. L. V. BIERcE.
He began ty alluding TO the propriety of
celebrating the day with appropriate meet
.ings and csremonies---its happy effect in
preserving q reverenti4l devotion for the
memory Of our ancestry. He spoke in thrill,
ling and eloquent language Of the trials suf-
,fered, and danger endured; by those who plant.
ed free institutions upon American soil--of.
the time when the continental soldiers were
tracked over the ground by their blood when
shiyering with cold and finting with hun
ger, they peried fortune and lie, in defence
of civil and religious freedom. In those dlp k
days, when famine and blood invaded the
land and desolated the hearth stone, there
was BUT ONE ARNOLD, FOUND IN ALE THE
coLuAiEs. From this topic, the General
proceeded 10 speak of the carly settlement
Of Ohio, especially the Western Reserve, of
the dadgers ind hardships of pioneer life
Ae guve biograr hical sketches Of many of the
early settlers. But the nrDj1r purt of his nd
dress referred II the early settlement ol
Palmyra Township. He traced the history
iofihe township for the fret quarter Of
century, which, if we rccoiIegt tightly closed
at'4e2a. Quite large p'rrioa of the old
settlers Of Palmyra were present and could
bear. witness to the truth Of the Generals
statements.
.. The exercises ut the grove were interspers-
Jed with excellent music from the bands.
AXankee Doodle" seemed to have just us
much power to arouse The healts OF the peo-
pie now,, as when the Coutinentals of f'76
marched to the sounds of its spirit stirring
ptrains. At 2 o'clock P. NJ, dinner was
served at the Lewis House and The multitude
1.-Two hundred ut time--sgt down to par-
talte Of the abundant refreshments provided
T&rsg ppe regular toasts were read, which
we publish in another place. Some Of
these were excellent. Others however had
adecfded party cast, which we utterly dis
approve. Better leave them out on sheh
occasions. The voluntary toasts were ex
celleIt--!ull Of genial sentiment and patri.
ofssm,
'ln,the evening the people were entertain.
ed by an admirable display Of re.works un-
der the superintendence OF H. II WILLARD
We were not present to witness this part oil
the celebration. Report speaks Of it as be
i1g planned inaexcellent taste ,ana perfect
success. Take 1t all in all, it was one OF
the best celebrations, it has been our pleas
We 70 attend. Every thing was character
izsd with sobriety, h1rmony and good feel.
ing. The, pfleers Of the Dry were, well
chosen HIRAM GIDDrNes, ESQ the Pres.
dent. presided with ease and dignity.
Such gatherings together 81 the people
upon the anniversary Of our national inde
pendence, connot fail to exercise good and
elevating influence over the mind and heart
Of the public. They create and increase
that cordial friendship among the masses SO
essentialto the harmony and welfare of the
social world, and refresh in our memo
ry,tho earlier incidents Of American hfsto.
~. - E @'
'r REGULAR ToAsTs. sat
The Day zoe Celebrate. The Fourth of
July. i776:-On this day, thus made glori.
ous, our patriotic ancestors declared this
Gland Of the free and home Of the brave, Ito
Anx<a.mlA... H. o.nroseod sof a,ap,,