Evening star., 1866-07-05
THE FOURTH OF July.
HOW 1T WAS CELEBRATED HERE.

HOW IT WAS CELEBRATED HERE.
Notwithstanding the fact chat there was no
general military or civic demonstration in this
city in honor of Independence Day, we have
to chronicle the fact that it was never observed
more strictly as national holiday by our citi-
zens. All outdoor business was suspended
but few stores were open; the day was greeted
with the ringing of bells and firing of cannon
the nag was displayed from all prominen,
points; many Of our residents, with their tam
lilies. availed themselves of the opportunity to
attend some OF the numerous pic- mics and ex-
cursions, public and private, IN this vicinity:
and the juveniles burnt the usual quantity of
powder. sabbatic quiet pri'vailed in the
city most of the day, broken only by the re-
ports OF pistols or popping of crackers. The
temperance reform must be making fair pro.
gress, as good order generally prevailed, and
the cases OF drunkenness were fewer than
usual We notice below the special demon.
strations III Observance of the day.
The Veterans of 1912 Call on the Presi-
dent-An Interesting Interview.
About III O'Clock yesterday morning a num-
Der OF the survivors of the war of lSI2 called
on the President OF the United States. The as
sociation on this occasion was represented py
twelve OF its members, most of whom seemed
vIgorous enough 10 undergo the rigors of a few
more campaigns, but the ma lority of the vete-
rams We're too infirm to participate in this GUS
tomary annual visit TO the President. The fol.
lowing named gentlemen composed the body
representing the association: Colonel J. s
Williams, lst Vice President; General ST. John
Is. l. Skinner. ID Vice President: James A.
Kennedy, Thomas Foster, a. Holmead, NJ
Caton, john Waters, Levi Haggerty, Burton
Waples,'F. R. Dorset, John T. Hildreth and
l.. Carusi.
Having been admitted 10 the Executive
Chamber, General Skinner addressed the Pres
ident as follows:
Mr.. President: You see around YOU a por-
ton OF the association of the soldiers who
served in the war of 1872. On every anniver-
Sary OF our national independence il has been
our custom 10 call npon and pay our respects
10 The Chief Magistrate of the nation For this
purpose We have visited you to-day. L have
the honor 10 introduce 10 you Colonel j. 5.
Williams, our Senior Vice President.
Colonel Williams then ad iressing the Presi-
dent said The very acceptable task deyoives
upon me as senior officer to present TO YOU
Mr.. President remnant OF the survivors of
the associated soldiers of the war of lSl2, an
organization of several years standing, but les
sening in numbers by the natural course of
events. in which we have 10 record the recent
dtcease of the late President OF onr assoca-
ton, Colonel VIM. w. Seaton. whose MANY
rare virtues endeared him to all who knew
him.
We have lived through the earlier period of
our national existence, and nave participated
in many political contests attending each sue
cessiye administration, in some of which
party strife for the supremacy prevailed to a
high degree, but never to the alarming extent
which has grown ont OF the rebellion, thereby
involving the country IN civil war, and leav-
ing it in its present distracted political condi-
ton. But we have confidence in the patriotism
OF the people TO maintain in its purity the
Constitution as il has been handed down to us
by our 1athers and the restoration of the States
to their original status in the Unisn by bring
ing about healthy reform in our national
councils, when the voice of the nation will
be expressed through the ballot. box.
Permit US, Mr.. President, to avail ourselves
of the present occasion to express our cordial
approval of the policy by which You have
been guided. and our confidence in the wis
dom and frmness you have manifested in con-
dncting thus far the affairs of the Government
under your administration, in which you will
find yourself sustained by every true patriot,
regardless of the assaults of corrupt presses
and the designing schemes of politicians,
which will put the seal TO rebellion and radi-
Calisin.
REPLY OF THE PRESIDENT
The President then saId:
Gentlemen: L have no special reply to make
to your address. / have only known OF your
visit within the last few moments But in re-
ply. would simply assure you that the senti-
ments you have expressed meet nv most
cordial approbation; and. coming on a day
like this, are all the more interesting and en-
couraging 10 me, especially now when we are
engaged in the struggle for national harmony
and unity.
The approval of my official course. which
you nave been pleased TO announce, is very en-
couraging, and TO be given by these who have
borne so prominent part in our conntry's
earlier struggles, makes it still more grateful
10. me. L thank you for it; and for this visit,
and the feelings you have expressed towards
myself, am truly grateful.
General Skinner then introduced the mem.
bers TO the President, who cordially greeted
each as he was presented After which the
association retired.
Celebration Of the Oldest Inhabitants-
Address by Jos. II. Bradley. Esq.
According 10 announcement, the association
OF oldest Inhabitants of the District as
sembled at the City Hall at 10 a. m. to celebrate
the day; Peter Ct. Washington, Esq, in the
chair. The Declaration OF Independence was
raQA hv Inh Rrnn Lr-< -
an address was delivered by Jos. H. Bradley,
Esq :,
In commencing, Mr.. Bradley said he be.
lieyed he was the Oldest native inhabitant Of
the city Of Washington. In reference TO his
sublect he said that the old figures OF speech
appropriate for Fourth OF j aly oration were
ments of national growth and power of later
years. The mighty resources and powers of
the nation had been shown in the recent great
struggle. We had passed successfully through
that ordeal, but another and greater one was
now TO be met, whether we are capable of
shouldering the burden of de ebt created by that
war, and OF making and observing equal laws. 4
The speaker proceeded to review concisely
the war OF independence, adverring to the di.
refsiiy of political sentiment, thoughts, habits
and name manners existing prior 10 the revolution
in different parts OF the country, and which
stili.exist. Our ancestors found 1t necessary
for csRmpn defense to unite in a common
cause, though ne formal treaties Were entered
into between the different States. Separate
sovereignty sometimes asserted itself causing
trouble. After the war of Independence the
States unifed in articles of confederation, but
the experiment failed, and the same exalted
man who had led them through the perils of
the revolution was called upon TO save them
from aparchy. God opened way through
the darkness. p H''- 'i+a Z
The colonies Of Maryland and Virginia were
always IN dispute about boundaries. In l7s5
q convention Of delegates from each State met
at Alexandra and settled the various vexed
question Of jurisdiction OF persons and prop
erty. From this originated the idea Of a ma
tional convention to settle disputed points at
Issue between States. In s15s6 = convention
met in Philadelphia, but accomplished no.
thing, and adjourned with Recommendation
for the assembling of another convention to
form constitution for the United States This
convention met, and George Washington pre-
sided. A constitution WAS prepared and
adopted by the people. Never was there such
body Of men assembled, and never was any
writing, uninspired, 90 well adapted for It's
pun poses as was the paper drawn up by
tbem--the Constitution Of the United States.
But for the mad and bad passions Of man it
would always have answered its purposes.
The speaker proceeded with an eloquent
picture OF the unexampled growth Of the |
country following upon the adoption Of the
tuti Ruta a n t{,vC i'm rth