The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-07-10
The Festivities Of the Fourth.

The Festivities Of the Fourth.
w We hardly think Independence
ever saw greater gala day than last
Wednesday. ever participated in a more
general and satisfactory celebration. On
the Sd. nearly all our citizens were en-.
gagged in the work of preparation, their
labors doubtless engendering in their
minds far greater degree of interest in
the proceedings Of the day following
than they would otherwise have felt. A
stand and seats for the orator and his au-
dience were prepared in the shade Of a
clump of large trees, on the west side Of
the river, near Main street, and large
arbor in little grove further west. near
ly opposite the Empire House, under
which was the dinner-table. A goodly
proportion of the males of our village,
were engaged all the afternoon in erect
ing Aag-pole l75 feet high, which. az
ter several unsuccessful attempts, was
accomplished. and large and splendid
flag was sent floating to the breeze from
its top, saluted by few rounds from the
cannon.
The morning Of the Fourth broke cool.
cloudless and beautiful, and the day con-
tinued so throughout. AT sunrise ma
tional salute OF 33 guns was doomed
forth by the cannon, and others were
given at noon and sunset Shortly after
eigh, O'Clock the people began to flock in
from the country, every avenue to the
village being lined with wagons. Spring
Greek sent procession Of II well.filled
wagons Fairbank sent delegation head
ed by marine band, and carrying a flag
. four horse team, ornamented with LIN
COLIN and HAMLIs flags, brought BRAY
band. and headed delegation from Pine
Creek. Horse teams, ORLEANS, mule
teams, and mixed teams-carriages and
carts. buggies and buck boards. road
wagons and rockaways-all came filled
with old men and old women, young men
and young women, youths and misses,
boys and girls. he-babies and She babies
dressed in holiday garb. and OVERLOOKING
with animal spirits. The boys were soon
in the midst of fire crackers and fun the
girls OF cakes and candies the youths Of
gingerbread. and the misses of gossip
the young men and women Of cream and
counting. of soda and squeezes, Of lem
onade and love the old ladies of pur.
chases, and the old gentlemen Of politics
Al 10 o'clock salute Of l2 guns was
fired, one for each year Of the existence
OF the town after which procession o.
citizens, on foot, Was formed at the court
house, under the direction of chief-mar.
shall DICKINSON, and his aids, Messrs
HALE. GAYLORD, and KISsLKY. The
prettiest feature Of the procession was a
large wagon drawn by four horses. con.
tanning 33 little girls. dressed in white
with blue caps and trimmings. each hold
ing tasteful little flag. This display
was got up on very short notice, and was
due principally to the exertons Of Mrs
DR.. WARSE, and few other ladies. as
sisted by Messrs. WARSE. LEWIS and
TAYLOR. After marching through tho
principal streets, the procession entered
the grounds prepared for the exercises O.
the day. The stand was occupied by
the President of the day, the orator, the
reader. the clergy, invited guests. the
glee club, the brass and marine bands
and the little girls representing the States
After well-executed air by the brass
band. an impressive and appropriate pray
or was delivered by Rev. Mr.. BooGs
Then came song by the ladies and gen
tlemen of the glee club. after which w
G. DOMAIN. Esq, read the Declaration
of Independence in an excellent manner
Mr.. HART. the President, then introduc
ed the Orator Of the Day. Rev. C. B
SAITH, Of Dubuque, who delivered on,
the finest addresses that it has been ou
fortune to listen to upon such an occa
sion. We had intended to publish il en-
,ire.i hut We find that Mr.. SxrrH's man
f, uscriPt !, 10 a good deal like RuFul
I CHoArE's. a series Of scratches ant
wriggles-perfsct bieroglyphics. the Ike,
to which he alone possesses. We are no
willing to do him the injustice to at
tempt synopsis OF it. for much OF il
excellence lay in the terse. graphic, or ig
inal. powerful forms Of expression used
in its short yet comprehensive sentences
We can only say that it pleased all. ant
was deservedly applauded. Its subjec
was The Mission Of America"
After the grafton, and music by III
brass band, the procession re- formed, an,
proceeded to the bower, where din ner ha,