The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-07-11


or Scott County.
#
A.~tvsrsarv Of the o7tA Natal Day Of
oar Is0akto ut Wsst PsiAt, Iswa-
The patriotic citissns Of West Point
redeemed every pssdgs made TO the pub
lie in their Celebration of the 4th. and
fully sustained their high reputation 20
fully earned and justly meritsd in prior
public demonstrations.
Hsving reached W. r. Stswart's beau
tiful grove, selected BY the able and EN-
cisnt Executive Committee, about 2 A. n.
/ found every thing in perfect order
beautifully and .astefully srrangsd-thsre
being already hosts Of people ccngregated
on the grounds and filing mp the ave.
nuss leading to the town, al eager to join
the multitude.
At 10 o'clock A. N. the procession Was
formed on the Public Square, reaching TO
the grove, to swell the vast assemblage
there convened. The hour designated on
the printed programme having arrived.
the people we're called to order BY VIM.
Alexander, President Of the day, and the
exercises ,Daugurated by music from the
Mootrose Brass Band. whose excellent
performance added much to the interest
of the occasion. Rev. james G. Thomp-
son. Pastor of the Methodist Church at
West Point, then invoked the blessing of
Deity ina brief and appropriate prayer.
Then came the reading Of the Declaration
of Independents by Rev. Geo. d. Stow
art, Pastor Of the Presbyterian Church at
West Poiat.
Tbs great truths contained in that saossd
instrument were presented by the reader
in q clear and loud tone Of voice, 90 as to
b. distinctly heard BY oil, and in very
forcible manner.
Next was the Oration, delivered By
John Van Vslksnburg, Esq. of Fl Mad
ison, whose sound logic aud excellent
rhetoric chained the entire audience, fill
ing every one present brim FIJI of the
spirit of Seventy Six. Van. though but
young. is fast making his mark amongst
the able men of the West.
At the close of the Ortion Rev Mr..
Thompson made few patriotic and for
chile remarks. after which all adjourn.
ment until o. clock p. n, was announced
by the President. and all retired to par.
pared.
The exercises Of the afternoon were
opened by Rev. A. G. Williams, Pastor
Of the M. E. Church at Fl. Madison, in
giving bis views as to what constitutes
true patriotism. II was thrilling and
singing rebuks to treason, aud most elo-
quent and glowing tribute 10 loyalty
His speech Was replste with political tru.
isms, sound philosophy and pure logic,
oil eloqusntly decorated with oratorical
and rhetorical jewels. During the short
hour listened 70 his discourse, the fol.
loving three couplets Of poetry REQUIRED
to my mind:
Thsrs = . ehsrn In delivery magical ART,
Thai thrtli. IKE kiss fran lap 70 ths heart,
IT'S he glance, The sxprssn, The we'll chosen word
By vhess magic the depths Of ,Ae spirit stirred
The lips soft persusslos musieai tone,
OF ! .aeA we're the words Of hat sioausai one.
Rev. Mr.. Stewart then made running
commentary on the Declaration Of indie.
pendencs, declaring and proving secession
the monster political hsresy of the age
He announced that be saw no reason why
traitors should not meet their doom, n
hemp and trees were abundant 10 this
country. During the afternoon other
speeches were msde BY Hsssrs. Alexau-
der, Van valkenburg and Thompson.
The mort perfect order prevailed
throughout the day. the Chair being ably
sustained BY MArshals B.F Noodman
and j. A. Casey, and the en,ire superb
sion Of the Frouads being in the hands oil
Capt John G. H. Hardy and our active,
energetic and skillful fellow -citisen, Ed.
6tssart, ECO.
Take il oil in al the affair vas most
complete success, and although ningling
freely with the Thousands 10 a,tsndan co,
not one word Of complaint was heard to
fall from the lips of any one, but an went
merry n . marriage bell.
The citizsns Of the elegant inland town
Of West Point have proved themselves
equal 70 any emergency. especially the
Committee OF Arrangements, Messrs. M.
+. burkc., n z Evs,ingham N, Ed. Stew.
Art, X. Moody. A. q. Leech, J. w. Trow.
J. G. Mitchell and III. Brink.
Nay We al live to enjoy many such
scenes Of fss'ivity and g.lety on the 70.
turn OF each glorious anniversary of the
birth day of our liberties.
SPECTATOR.
SThe Chattanooga Rebel in giving
N account of tbs the late