Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-07-10
THE 4th IN DODGEVlLLE
5000 People in Attendance.
Great Patriotic Demonstration!
Grant 81 Colfax !!
CARPENTERS SPEECH!
Interesting Ceremonies!


ing, a political gathering, it was a grand
out pouring of the loyal masses, worthy
the day, the cause, and the patriotic. citi-
zens of old Iowa. There may be those
who dislike the idea of using the Indepen-
dence day for ratifying the nomination of
great party, yet we believe, however
skeptic in their views, could they have
seen the occurrences of the day, listened
to the speech and musical talent displayed
their prejudices would have been turned
into mirth and good cheer even, though
their belief in the sentiments were to the
contrary.
The day was ushered in by the ringing
of bells and firing Of cannon. The big
flags and the little flags were displayed
from public and private buildings, and nu-
merous were the tokens of patriotism dis
played here and there throughout our little
village. From early morning till noon,
the rush of people to the village was i'm
mense, men, women and children were
assembling from every part of the county,
many coming twenty and some thirty
miles, to be present on this day Of days,
in the history of the country, the number
attending being estimated at over 5000.
A procession was formed at O'Clock,
headed by the Dodgevillc band marched
from Iowa to Main street, from Main to
Division, thence to Blacks grove, where
it was dispersed at stand erected for the
occasion. Here the proceedings of the
day took place under the direction of the
President of the day, Hon. L. W. Joiner,
Of Wyoming, one of our oldest settlers,a
noble, staunch Republican.
The exercises we're opened by music by
the band. The Rev. James Sims, of the
M. E. church of this place then offered a
prayer, brief, eloquent, and singularly APP
propriate to the occasion, thanking God
for personal favors, blessing him for ma
tional mercies in the beginning of our ex
istence and throughout the history of our
country, thanking Him that He enabled
our fathers to endure so much for the
rights of conscience, and sustained them
in the war for independence, and us in the
recent struggle for life and liberty, when
the nation seemed trembling on the brink
of ruin, He gave us victory and final tri-
umph in the preservation of the Union,
and the establishment Of liberty through
out its borders, praying that our future
may be better than our past, that the Lord
would make us glad according to the years
in which we had been afflicted.
AT the close of the prayer, the Dodgeyille
glee club, composed Of twelve or thirteen
Of our young men, gave song which was
well received Considering that the boys
have practiced but short time, they did
nobly through the day, and aided no little
in the order of the exercises.
The Declaration of Independence was
read in a very impressive manner by DR..
Geo. W. Burial and after music from band
and glee club, the president introduced to
the audience the Hon. Matt. II. Carpenter,
of Milwaukee, who spoke for about an hour
in his most able and eloquent manner, his
audience listening with earnest attention
and frequently applauding him. We can
give no report that will do the eloquent
speaker justice. Shorthand reporters are
scarcity in this region of country, conse-
quently only those that were fortunate
enough to be present can form any correct
idea Of the sound and convincing argu-
ments used on this occasion. The true
policy ond mission of the Republican par
ty was presented in a clear and forcible
manner, aud comparisons made, worthy of
the great orator of the day. This speech
will long be remembered by our citizens,
and no doubt have it's desired effect in the
coming November elections.
At the conclusion, Mr.. Carpenter was
warmly applauded and all united in giving
him three hearty cheers.
After songs from the glee club, and mu
sic by the band, the Rev. James Alderson,
of the P. M. church of this place pro-
nounced The benediction, when the vast
concourse of people dispersed, well pleased
with the entertainment thus far.
About o'clock the Primitive Methodist
people opened their festival where we I'M
derstood large number Toasted. The
gains at this board were in the neighbor-
hood Of $4,000.
Our Welsh friends were also in Morris
Hall providing the necessaries for all that
called. The glee club attended the place
in the evening and enlivened the assembly
with numerous favorite songs. This festi-
val was held in honor of Rev. Thomas
Holland, one of the able pastors of the
Welsh Baptist church of this place.
At 81 o'clock came the fire works, put
off from stage erected on the open space
in front Of the P. M. church. The col
lection was fine one, and under the
supervision of Wheeler, Bovine, Cornish,
and Henderson, were made the grand clos
ing exhibition Of the day.
Thus ended the days sports-a day long
to be remembered by our citizens-a day
the old and young from far and near, had
so well enjoyed.
IL te,