Litchfield enquirer., 1864-07-07
gufaI aud Guuutl Meips

last Monday was in Litchfeld couldn't be asked for. From early dawn till dewy Eve the sky above was sloudless, and the earth beneath. watered by the grateful rain of Fri day and Saturday, was cool and comfortable, and fragrant and refreshing for man and beast. The celebration began, on the part of the juvenile portion of the community, precisely ct F o'clock Monday morning, in strict &C., by the firing of cannon, the ringing of all the Church, School House and Court House bells, and the lighting of huge bonfire on the pub lie square which illuminated the entire vil- lage. These ceremonies were kept up vigor- ously till about day break, when there was a cessation for few moments to allow the Monarch of the Day g chance to exhibit him
 self, at whose final coming and benignant smile, the bells rang again, the boys cheered, the cannon blazed away salute of thirteen guns, and the new and elegant Flag, procured last wsek by eur public spirited citizens at Q cost of $115, was for the first time proudly thrown to the breeze. Then the morning passed awoy with the usual firing of crackers, terpedoss and small cannon on the part of the youngsters, and the pic, nioing and hob-nob- ing, by children of larger growth. During all the morning people from our neighbor- ing towns came pouring into the village, in- sluding even some from Winsted, who prefer red our simple programme to the great intel leotual feast of doughnuts and greased pig. prepared for them by their generous and lib- eral and public spirited fellow townsmen.
 At 8 P. M., precisely, the services in the Congregational Church opened. The church was appropriately and handsomely dressed with flags and flowers, and was crowded with a large and intelligent audience. Dr. Henry W. Buel presided with graceful dignity and delivered an exceedingly handsome and elo- quent opening address. After prayer by the Rev. MT. Lawrence and singing by the choir, the Declaration of Independence was read by Geo M. Woodruff, Esq, followed by singing again, and then the Orator of the Day, Rev. Geo. Richards was introduced, and delivered the Grafton, of which we are only sorry our linn tied space pI ecludes us from giving an exten- ded report. Its subject was the principles enunciated by the Declaration of Independ- ence, and a comparison of the War of the Rev. olution and the War in which our Nation is at present engaged It was, altogether, one of the most finished and eloquent productions that it has ever been our good fortune to lis ten to on like occasion. At the conclusion of the address, Major Charles o. Belden, lately returned from three years service at the War, was called out, and made an effective, though somewhat discursive address, followed by few words from Serg't Geo. W. Mason, late of the zd Conn. Artillery. After these speeches the so-called tune of "America'' was sung to the tune of God save the King. (We never have been able to perceive precise ly the peculiar appropriateness of this tune, especially on 4th of July. which is supposed to celebrate our happy release from Kings and Princes, but we suppose it will be sung until some other Lowell Mason arises to steal better one.) The Benedicton was then pronounced by the Rev. MT. Parmalce, and the large audience slowly dispersed.
 We ought to have mentioned above, that the platform was occupied by two representatives of the venerable men who have come down to us from Revolutionary times, Moses Wheeler, aged 94, and Stephen Demihg, &; two repre- pto&i nP nSo Ra1I n1 serg't Mason; Rev. MessTs Vail, Parmalee and Lawrence of the clergy, beside the President, Orator and Reader of the Declaration Also that the thrilling and truly patriotic tune of Y" Hail Colambia" was exceedingly we'll per formed as an overture by the Wolcottville Brass Band.
 The crowd seemed rather to increase than diminish through the afternoon, and at sunset, when the third salute of thirteen guns gas fired upon the Park there could hot have been less than three thousand people present. At 83 o'clock precisely the rockets opened the display of fireworks, which we risk little in saying was the finest display ever witnessed in Litchfsld, and perhaps in the county, and was witnessed with the greatest delight by the vast crowd of spectators, who frequently maa- ifested their satisfaction with cheers and shouts of applause. The Wolcottville Band added very materially to the pleasure of the evening by their discourse of excellent music from the Park, and played various patriotic airs with a precision and excellence highly commendable to their practice. Aportion of this band were formerly connected with the 1stConnecticut Artillery, and gave sufficient evidence that they had not forgotten the exer else of "guard-meunting" and "dress parade" :"
 After the fireworks, the Band ssrenaded several of our citizens, and were several times invited to "wet their whistles" A huge bon fire, which burned till long after midnight, terminated the festivities of the day and the celebration.
 Taken altogether the celebration was aa entire success, and reflected great credit upon our liberal and public-spirited citizens, who contributed freely to it of their means and assistance, and we doubt not that even our meager account of it, when perused by the brave boys of the army, will be welcomed by {havo . khnk l.,