The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1860-07-12


menccd as folows
Music by the banl--Hail Columbia Ptaver by
Rev. G. A. Adams. Muoic--Star Spangled Banner
Reading of the Declaration of Independence BY H.
NJ. Colver Musc-Yankee Doodle Grafton by
Judge Dunlap, of Toledo Music-Red, white aud
Blue.
The Declaration was well read and the oratior did
not trench much the beaten path of such produc.
tons There was strong current of wind which
made considerable rustng in the trees ovcrhcady yet
the speaker spoke with such emphasis to be heard
at considerable distance. The audience was large
and generally attentive.
We have only space to notice few points in the
Grafton. There were both fire and military compa
mics on the ground and in his alusons TO the former
Mr.. d. said that the volunteer fire company is one
of our peculiar American in stitutions; nothing like
it TO be found in any other country. Elsewhere pro
lection from the ravages and disasters by fire is
sought in paid police government organization
In the city of Paris the duties of iremen are per-
formed by regular division of the French army
Here reposc with confidence on the generous un-
bought aid ofa volunteer force of fellow citizens
force hatby lis perfect organization its high disci.
pline and proud efficiency, takes rank among the no
blest institutions of the land. As citizens of popu.
lar government we have just reason to be proud of
sum HlthlltSlhIuH el spirit puck ana generous
self-sacrihce as shown by the large numbers of our
young men of every station in life who so eagerly
press forward to fill the ranks of our fire companies
Out of the superabundance of life aud energy of
Young America has arisen this peaceful army. Its
existence among us is highly creditable to our ma
tional character, and which ought not TO be
passed over without suitable notice on this our mn
tional festival. Your committee therefore. have
| Oiypu it in ha
part of the exercises of the day.
He alluded to the battles of the Revolutionary war
the beautiful river flowing at ur fcct--the Miami
of Lake Erie, called in the simple and expressive Ian.
guage of the aboriginal inhabitants the Mother of
Lake Ere-the rapids of the river, at the foot Of
which our handsome and prosperous town is situa.
ted-the commanding bluffs either side of the
strcnm-od Fort Miami yonder, on the othcr.side.
and just above nearest to hearts and dearest
to our me emores Old Fort Meies. All these remind
us that the ground on which stand is consecrated
by the continuation second part of the war of our
| national independence. These highlands these
woods have echoed the thunder of hostile armies
Through yonder valley Mad Anthony and his egions
drove the treacherous red men, Over the river where
rise the white spires and where are clustered among
the trees in peaceful security the dwellings in Mau-
mce,is pointed out as the place where the gallant
Dudley and eight hundred brave Kentuckians fell
into an ambush and were cruelty massacred by the
BRUSH ana Indians, But the heart swes with pride
when we turn eyes to the green slopes of Old
Fort Megs. On the parade ground may yet be seen
the rude tombstones hat mark the last resting place
of Lieut.. Walker and Capt. McCuloch, who sleep
there on the field of honor. The story Of that glori
Gus seige and the herosm fold Tippecanoe are they
not household words among you? History points 10
this spot the where the proud waves of foreign
arrogance were rolled back, never to return. From
the date of the successful defence of this point the
names of Harrison and Ft. Meigs were emblazoned
on flames mighty banner. We look up to those
names with admiration to-day, and feel in view
of tho great things that have been done here for the
nation, that the place whereupon we stand is holy
ground
He spoke of the fair women who honored MS with
their presence Without them what is life that we
should prize it? What is liberty that we she ud de
sire it? What is the pursuit of happiness but an idle
dream, a fantastic vision choered by the smile OF
lovely woman-each passing moment is numbered in
sands of gold Her presence adds new charms to
liberty and in her blest companouship the pursuit OF
happiness subdues our hearts with the enchantne nj
of her beauty, and rrounds our homes with the re
freshr ents of her glee and eloquence.
HI also made appropriate allusons TO the military
and said that our committee had done all that men
could do to make every arrangement perfect, secon
ded by the citizens and the various civil and military
associated here. There one deficiency however
beyond the power of mortal man to supply. In days
pason similar occasions we had in these places
of honor the aged and venerable forms OF some of the
surviving patriots and soldiers of the Revoutionar,
var. None are here to day. They are gathered to
their rest--they have gore TO therrcward
Ats O'Clock the fremens' tournament commenced
at the dock just below the warehouse. As there was
but one company present that had appaI atus with
them, there not of that interest infested
in the throwing there would have been with others
present oontestng for the prize. As it was the No
rs of Toledo played against distance--making we
understand 2o5 feet solid after which all re-
paired to the common opp osite the Union school
building to witness the for prizes by the mill
tary. This lasted for near three hours and resue ID
IN the Mansfield Guards carrying Off the frs prize
Near the close of the parade the No 3 fire company
came on to the ground and gave three cheers and a
tiger for the ladies of Perrysburg. At this juncture
of the proceeding, horse company, called the ga
BALGADAs' made their appearance on the parade
ground The take off on military dicipne was about
as rich a scene as we have witnessed in a long time
and the flag presentation fairly took the rag off the
bash' In the evening there two grand festivals
--one at Bairds Hotel and the other at Howers Ex-
change--and thus closed the exercises of the day.