The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1866-07-11
THE FOURTH AT ASHLAND.

"o ~S NS6 " oui
slumbering town was aroused to q sense
Of the great anniversary that had come,
by the ringing Of bells and booming Of
cannon and musketry. About 7 O'Clock,
the rained ceased, the sun cast his reful-
gent rays through the disappearing clouds;
all nature seemed propitious, and the day
was I" most glorious to behold" The
people from the country and neighboring
towns came pouring in, and at an early
hour, the streets were densely crowded
with patriotic gentlemen and ladies, boys
and %lassies, who came in to do homage to
the memory Of the Fathers Of '76, who
declared that the American Colonies
"were, and of right ought to be, free and
Independent States"
AT 10 o'clock, the Ashland Fire Com.
pany, preceded by the Brass Band, march
ed to the A. 4 G. w. Depot and receiv-
ed the Fire Company from Fredericktown
The Companies then paraded through the
principal streets to the Town Hall, and
separated for a short time.
At half past eleven o'clock, the Com.
panies were reformed and conducted by
J. W. SPRINGER, Chief Marshal, to Ho.
mans Grove, North West of town, where
dinner had been prepared for them. The
table, fairly groaued under their load of
the choicest housekeeping that the
appetite could crave. Substantials end
luxuries were alike abundant. The Fire.
men surrounded the tables and did ample
justice to the "good things" before them.
The citizens were her invited to partake
Of the repast. After all had finished eat
ing, the multitude was called to order by
j. D. JONES, Esq President of the day,
who, in q few appropriate and eloquent
remarks, stated the occasion Of their meet.
ing, and that the exercises would be open
ed with prayer by Rev. JNo. ROBINSON ;
after which, Prof. j. Fl. GRAHAM was
introduced, who read the Declaration Of
independence in a very effective manner,
his strong voice, clear and distinct enun.
citation causing him to be heard by all
present.
The President then introduced r. NJ.
CAMPBELL, Esq, as orator of the day
Mr.. CAMPBELL proceeded to address the
assembly, recounting the causes that pro
duced the great revolution that achieved
u independence from Great Britain ;
and enumerated the many evidences of
the extreme selishncss of the Mistress Of
the seas in her policy towards her neigh.
bors, but especially towards this country.
Our progress for nearly ninety years as a
free people had been unprecedented in
the history of the world, and We had
more than rivalled the proudest expecta-
tions Of our own people, and the nations
around us. In the midst Of our prospect.
ity, when blessings we're being showered
profusely upon the enterprise, industry
and vigor of our people in every section
of the country, the seeds Of contention
were being scattered by restless and un-
principlcd men, which sprang up and
yielded a harvest Of sauguinary strife
among our people and after five years of
cruel and bloody war, subsidized in the sub.
jugation of the South. That people we're
willing to abide the result, and again en-.
ter upon their duties in the Union. The
Government, and the people Of the North
can afford to be generous BY such a
course, the wounds and bitterness of the
past can be healed, and prosperity and
peace be again restored to the country.
Mr.. CAPMBELL's address was exceed.
ingly well written, Astounding in finely
constructed sentences, and was unusually
eloquent. 1t was we'll received by the
large assembly, and did honor to the CO.
casion.
At the conclusion of Mr.. CAMpBELL's
remarks, the Secretary read the following
Toasts: F
l. The Day We celebrate.
2. The Men of l776.
8. The Union of our Fathers.
4. The President Of the United States.
s.. The Army and the Navy.
8. The visiting Hremen-We extend
to them She hand Of greeting.
T., The FirGnen-May they ever End
friends for their disinterestedness.
8. The Orator Of the Day.
9. Our Protectors-Ths Firemen, the
Soldiers and the Voters.
10. The Ladies-Always the friends
OF the generous and the true, and warm
advocates of Union.
JIM. Lands, in behalf Of Protection
Fire Company No. ! Of Ashland, present.
ed a very large and handsome Cake to
Fire Company No. 3 of Fr0dericktown,
which was received by the Foreman, in a
neat and appropriate speech,