The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1865-07-07

ted with more enthusiasm than ever
before in this vicinity. The fact that
the nation had just emerged trium-
phant from struggle to preserve the
liberties won by our fathers in the
first great struggle for human free
dom-it being the first Fourth for
four years that could be celebrated
with a certainty that the principles
commemorated were to be perpetua-
ted, gave the occasion deep inter
est.
THE DAY
Was intensely hot. 1t opened warm,
progress ssed to hot, continued to hot
ter, and ended at hottest. Hardly a
breath of Dir was stirring-the sun
unobscured by clouds poured the
fiercest kind of rays, and everything
sweatable sweat. But all this did
not keep back
THE CROWD,
Which was by all odds the largest
ever assembled in Findlay. From
eight o'clock till noon, the roads in
every direction were lined with We
hicles. Main street and all the cross
streets were crowded with horses
and humanity-men, women, and
children. 1t was observable that
there was Lot on this occasion the
scarcity Of men that has been go of.
ten noticed heretofore. The fact was
manifest, the "boys had come. The
pretty girls all had escorts, and the
prettiest Of them had soldiers hitch.
ed to them.
THE PROCESSION
Formed at about II A. NJ, under the
direction of Col. Neibling, Marshal,
and his assistants, Col. Gray aud G..
W. Myers, Esq, in the following or
der
l. Carriage containing Orator,
Reader, Chaplain and President of
the day.
2. 5sth Battalion, 0. n. c..
3. Fire Department of Findlay.
4. Citizens in Carriages.
5. Citizens on Foot.
The 5Sth Battalion made q splen
did display. Their uniforms were
neat, their arms in first-rate order,
and they marched with precision
that showed they had drilled to some
purpose.
The Fire Department was highly
commended. The men generally are
stalwart fellows, the uniforms neat
and becoming, and the boys feel
q ajustiiiable pride in sustaining the
reputation they have won.
on TIE GROUND
An immense crowd gathered. An
hour was spent in getting in order,
when the
EXERCISES or THE DAY
Commenced. A choir Of sinrars
sang "America" in good style. Rev.
Mr.. Meeks offered an impressive
prayer. JAS Harsh, Esq read the
Declaration of Independence in Il
clear, impressive manner, after which
the President, A. Blackford, Esq ;,
introduced Col. John c. Lee, of Tit
fin, the Orator Of the Day, TO the au-
dience.
Col. Lee made mastery effort
A good Fourth of July Grafton is Il
rarity; but the immense audience be
fore him will bear us ont in saying
that he did 1t
He compared the Government of
the United States with those Of Eu-
rope, and showed wherein ours was
the superior, and explained the phi
losophy OF Republican form of gov
ernment. The doctrine of secession
he paid his particular respects to,
and enumerated the benefits that had
grown out OF the war, side by side
with the evils growing out of it
Col. Lee paid fitting tribute to the
returned soldiers, and ended with an
appeal to the people to see that they
suffered nothing by their patriotism.
1t was splendid effort, though no
better than those who knew him eX-
pected. Col Lee is one Of the clear
est and most effective speakers Ohio
possesses. His Grafton was receiv-
ed by the audience with many mani,
festations Of pleasure.
THE BUMMgRs.
The burlesque parade by "Sher-
mans Bummers," was an amusing
feature in the days entertainment. -
A squad, dressed in every conceiva-
BILE costume, and mounted ON all
styles of horses, paraded the streets
and rode through the grounds. The
"Bummers" were decided hit.
IN THE EyrNrNc
The display Of Fireworks was per-
fectly satisfactory. Some thirty
pieces many of them expensive
were burned. This part of the pro
gramme was we'll managed by Messrs.
Hall, Huber, Wilson and Frederick.
The pieces were set off without un.
necessary delay, and no accident oe
cured.
THE CROWD
Exceeded the expectations of the
most sanguine. One thousand pass
engers came on the trains from FIRE.
mont. There was little or no drunk
enness. and during the whole day
but one fight, and that was but a
slight affair.
Altogether, the celebration was a
success. Almost everybody was
pleased almost everybody went home