Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1858-07-09
T = Day "a Tairport.

An invitation having been kindly tender.
ed the citizens Of Muscatine to participate
witl1the citizens of Fairport and vicinity in
the celebration Of the glorious anniversary
of American independence, quite number
of our citizens lett on the good boat, ''De-
Gallon" Capt. Fisher, on Saturday morning
at about ~ IL O'Clock, for the grounds.
A fine breeze was stirring all day, and
the river trip was indeed pleasant. fingers
celebrated brass band accompanied us and
during the day discoursed to US must excel
ent music. The clear notes of the leaders,
bugle, as they swept DER the waters, seem-
ed to possess an unusual sweetness.
Our arrival was welcomed by the boom
ing of canon the waving of banners, enthu.
siastic cheers, and the smiles Of Fairport's
fair daughters. Capt. Oreal acted as Mar
shall of the day. Under his direction a pro
cessi was formed and we repaired to a
beautiful grove adjoining the town to wit
ness the festivities of the day. AS we pass
ed through the groves Unger's band made the
woods vocal with national anthems. We
found the Sunday School children and a
large number of persons from the town and
vicinity 1t was estimated that at least five
hundred persons were assembled to unite in
paying homage to the memory and deeds of
the patriots Of '76. ,-irr.r.
The Declaration of Independence was
read in clear and audible voice by DR..
Love, of Fairport. After which the orator
of the day Hon. A. o. Patterson was intro.
duceJ to the audience and entertained them
with one of his most happy and eloquent
efforts He depicted in glowing terms the
injuries that compelled our patriot sires to
A., ~ Nf Rr;t
declare themselves free and independent.
He sketched with master hand our unpre-
cedented growth from thirteen small colo
MES to our present proud position; our
privileges, civil and religious, and reminded
US that if we would enjoy them unimpaired
We must be true to the precepts OF the men
of the Revolution. a patriotic spirit per-
vaded the entire address, and the orator,
with beautiful and touching allusion to the
Union--its immense cost, and inestimable
value, retired amid the plaudits Of the peo-
pie.
lie was followed by G, G. Hayes, Esq,
who delivered a brief but appropriate ad
dress to the Sunday School children. ! he
audience then repaired to dinner A pray
er was addressed to the Throne of Grace by
Rev. Jno. Uford after which we proceeded
to enjoy the rich entertainment prepared for
us. he table literally groaned under the
weight of generous hospitality. Much praise
is due to Messrs. Spencer, A. and Ii. Sweet,
4. and Jno. Sparks, ID. Morris, Geo. and
yWm. Lee, and Mauckmore, for the abundant
viands set before US. ssEg ,. Ea'aaf7'
The culinary department was under the
management of Mr.. Burrlll, assisted by
Stevenson, the Frankiins, and young Mauck-
more. '~
AS to their proficiency in the art Of cook
ing, those who INDUCED in the roasted OK
and pig are competent witnesses. s.r /.
The ladies, also, (among whom we would
mention Mrs Sweet and Mrs. sparks dis
played great taste and skill in the various
delcacies they furnished us, as well as in
the arrangement and decoration OF the table.
Aft r dinner the audience divided them
selves into parties some singing the star
spangled banner, others social and religi Gus
, Judge. Woodward, in a neat address,
thanked the good people of Fairport and
vicinity for the abundant feast they had
prepared for us, and INDUCED in some happy
reflections relative to the social and festal
pleasures of the day. s Es45....-g-; Lr-.t
."1 uiVSSss'oh N"S ~ LII AoA nh0u CIV
returned to the Decaion aud prepared to bid
adieu to the gay scenes we had witnessed.
As the boat was moving oil, Juos.e Paryln
was called upon by the throng who stood
upon the shore. He briefly responded in mis-
apt and happy style, again thanking them for
their generous hospitality
At length the whistle of the boat was
heard-cheer after cheer arose from boat and
shore-the bugle, followed by the band,
uttered its sweetest notes, and soon Fairport,
with the busy crowd that stood at the shore,
was lost in the distance.
The day will belong remembered by all
present as one Of the most pleasant anniver-
sary celebrations witnessed in Iowa. Party
and sect seemed forgotten, and all met upon
the platform of social American equality.
| f,s-2 ,rel ID trt .r-ts I'D 3 MUsUATINE.
~ ..'-a-