Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1860-07-05
FIRE Works, ILLUMINATIoNs, &e
rRELIxSAmEs TO THE CELEBRATION.

PRELINISAMEs To THE CELEBRATION,
In giving a panoramic glance ut the cele-
bration Of the 4th in Dayton, it is proper to
briefly sketch the work of preparation rs well
az items occurring Immediately prior to its
inauguration and in doing so we will be
brief
Although the work Of preparation had been
seemingly going on for some time, it only
really began after dinner on the ID the rush
for flags ut SKULLS and other depots only
really commencing then, and decorations of
every style we're sold at Dams as fast as half
a dozen hands could furnish them. This
rush, rs simple as il might seem to the pnini-
tiated, was assurance of BY time" on the
succeeding day. And the promise was fully
answered by the peri ormance.
The FIRST item of note in the afternoon Of
the Sd was the downfall of the " Lincoln aud
Hamlin" flag, upon the roof Of Beckers
Hall, with its field of blue pointing toward
the South Some persons considered this
an unmistakable indication that the %partizan
banner should not be unfurled upon a Day
which should know nothing Of party or
clique,
A little later in the afternoon, quite an ex-
element was caused by the Light Guard and
Light Artillery suspending across the street
from Armory to Armory, a line of color'
comprising the " flags of NIL nations. This
was nm exceedingly attractive display, and in
keeping with the condition of affairs we are
at peace with all nations, else why have w
their colors grouped with the stars anC
stripes3 Thousands of eyes were turned NJ
TO the long line Of banners" and theil
appearance was a signal for the work Of de
~coration to begin. As if by magic the from
of the Light Guard Armory and of the Ligh
Artillery srmory were decked with statues
busts, wreaths, flags etc, ETC., and at once
the infection spread along Sd street east ant
west, and the decorations followed all along
The Court House and the d" Phillips" wer'
next the chief points of attraction; then thu
Engine Housea we're appropriately and patriot
icalIly decorated, and numerous private resi-
dences, business houses, &C., were put in Q
costume Of stars aud stripes.
The erection Of the platform for the displa.
Of fireworks In the intersection Of Main an'
Third, followed upon the heels Of the Spiritual
WomAn's rights meeting ON the Court Hous
steps and this looked like the work Of prepa
ration was about complete. StiIl later a
night, a storm Of wind and rain came up 70
awhile the prospect for the celebration wa
dark indeed, despite the almost ~contiDuou
glare of ,lightning,) and by daylight all hope
for a pleasant day had been well nigh washes
outi litl .llN Saw JNlttL
The bells peAled in the day Of Independents
and the morning salute was fred between tn
showers, and the preparations were mad
70 form the procession at the hour named
although Il seemed impossible Cor il 10 pro
coed But at the proper time kind Providence
cleared up the lowering clouds, and Old So
soon dispellsd the dAmpness and this bring
TIM Day VIZ cAi.2BRAFEi ~
The procession was formed a little befor
10 o'clock on Main street. the right restin
Oh Sch street east, in the following order
Marshsl-SHirE DAWSON, Esq,
Aids--MAj. J.. p. Cline, W. II. simms, Cap
q b. Smith, Robt Patterson, W. B. Lows
K O Ellis, and d @. Kemp