The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-07-06
toon.tuu.ssa # CALIFORNIA;, ART. T. Sec. .,
Celebration OF "Ths FOURTH"

Celebration OF "ThO FOurth."
4 bright sun and cloudlcss sky greeted
tho anniversary Of the day that gave birth
TO the frceeSt nation Of carth-to the
most restless, energetic, Ingenious intel
Icctual and ambitious race Of mon. 1t was
~ushcrcd in by the ringing Of bells and
firing Of guns"-by the songs of the young
and hopefully the prayers of the grave
and tho good. 1t was celebrated with
Thanksgiving, with ftStivity, with bon
fires and illuminations."
From innumCrablc HngStaifs gracefully
and proudly Aoated the Star Spanslcd
Banner--.that "banncr Of beauty and
glory"-with "not stripe erased, nor q
single star obseurrd"--that banner wl,iel,
had waved VIGOROUSLY over many hard
fought, ficrccly contested ami CALAMITY
won, battlefield. Many who had fought
under and for it, with kindling eye and
hcaving breast and quickened pulse, gazcd
fondly and proudly on it, MS it gayly Out
tered in the breeze. and whispered fer.
vent prayer that it might never be tar.
nished in just war, or become the EN-.
blem Of injustice or oppression. 1t is
the flag Of the frec"-the flag of the
sagcs and patriots Of the Rcvolutio the
flag Of our country. land We love and rev
ercncc it.
At an carly hour every avenue leading
into our city waS filed with an ragr and
excited crowd Of person, vim desired To
witneSs or partiip III the celebration.
On thcy camc pouring into tOwn. and long
before the procession formed. our streets
we're blocked with the "yOunS. beautiful
and brave" The balconies an Main
street were filled with the fair and grace.
full daughters Of Ell Dorado, who chccred
By their smiles and encouraged by their
words, our gallant Fircmen, who. under
. burning sun. marched through our
streets, carrying the Gag and keeping
step to the music OF the Union"
Punctually at Q o'clock. 4. NJ. in con,
'formity with the programme of tho Com.
mitteO Of Arrangements. the different
Fire Companies formed in front Of their
respective houses. preparatory to taking
their places in the procession. Young
America, No. ., met half an hour earlier,
and in perfect order proceeded to the res.
idcncc Of Mr.. John McConc. on Coloma
street, where \ masnifcently beautiful
banner was presented to the Company by
Miss Kate Whclan, and received, on be-
half Of the Company, by Mr.. OKeefc.
The banner, designed BY Miss Elizabeth
Whelan, Of San Francisco, is exceedingly
rich. neat and tasteful it att acted much
attention. and was the theme OF unquali.
fed commendation. On the front, worked
in gold bullion, in fac smile of the En-.
CINE Of the Company, surrounded by the
Stars and Stripes and Eagle. Tho ground
IL white satin. the border red, fringed
with gold. Reverse. ground. blue satin,
border. red, with tho motto Of tho Com
pany. worked in silver-"Prompt to the
rescue Young America, No. 8. enclosed
in beautiful wreath Of silver; two trum.
pets crossed. and below the trumpets. in
largo letters Of silver. "Organized May
1lth. 1850" Heavy gold fringe covers
tho edges Of the banner. tits one of the
richest and most elegant banners in Cali.
fornia.
The procession was formed on the Plaza
at 10 o'clock. A. ~, under direction Of Pat.
Lynch, Chief Engineer Of the Fire Depart.
ment. Although the heat was intense, it
did not deter the companies from turning
o"t nearly their whole strength. The
procession marched through the principal
streets and to Upper Pacervillc, and re.
turned to tho Theater about IL o'clock,
which was filed with spectators. the box
hCinS occupied by large number Of Ia
dies. The stage was taStefully decorated
With the Gags and trumpCts ofthe Fire De-
partnent; and chairs were placed in a
Semi-circlO on the stage for the Chaplain,
Reader Of the Declaration Of Independ.
ence, and Orator Of the day. The mem
bers Of the Fire Department and specta-
tors Oiled the lower part Of the Theatcr-
the orchestra boxes being occupied by the
Coloma and PlacerviIle Brass Bands. The
TheAter was filled to its utmost capacity.
and numbers were unable to get in, and
many Of those in we're forced to stand I'm
during the whole ceremony.
Soon after the Fircmen entered and we're
seated. Mayor Wade announced the order
Of Exercise. Then followed {" Hail Co.
lumbls." BY the PlaCervills Band, and at
10 conclusion the Rev. Mr.. Pierce, deliv.
cred an impressive, fervent, charitable
prayeV-Creditable to his head and heart
free from bigOtry, from bitterness. from
Notwithstanding the very essence
Of Kindness gentleOess and goodness
prayer shAE csHAd only emanate from .
sincere fSllewsF Of the meek ami loving
6aSioar e mankind. A more sPprOpri.
aAa. q mere esrnsstL . more eloquent
psaEaF 80 have asvsr heard in PIacervilla
WhSn BE ced. the COaowa Band
struck up the Star SpAngled Banner; and