Arizona miner., 1868-07-11
Fourth of July in Prescott.

with words true and correct picture ol the patriotic and happy manner in which the cit zens of Prescott and surrounding country cele- brated the 92d Anniversary of American In dependence. We will, however, try to give an outline of matters as they appeared to us. Everything went off agreeable to promise, except one thing,-the military, owing to the fact that the Citizens Committee. forgot to extend to them formal invitation, did not take part in the proceedings of the day, in town, which was and is regretted by civilians and soldiers. It was the wish of all that Ma tional salutes should have been fired in town and the flag of our country carried through our streets by the soldiers of the Republic. The day was fine. and the town was alive with people from Wickenburg, La Paz, Wal nut Grove, and the various mining camps and ranches adjacent to Prescott. The spot se lected for the Celebration was in beautiful grove on the west side of Granite creek. Here seats were arranged, stand erected, and over them was spread an awning, which was scarcely necessary. as the large pine trees that surrounded the spot, were almost suffi cient to prevent the suns rays from peering through them. About half-past ten A. M, goodly crowed having seated themselves around the stand, the President, ". J. Berry. announced that the exercises would com mence with prayer by Rev. T. II. Head. That gentleman then came forward and in q very impressive manner. offered up thanks to the Rnler of the Universe for the many blessings vouchsafcd us as people. Col. F.. D. Baker then came forward and read the Declaration of Independence in very satisfactory man ner, and sat down amid the plaudits of his hearers.
 E. J. Cook, the Orator of the Day, was then introduced, and delivered the oratior which we publish in to-days paper, and which, though not probably very eloquent speech, is brief sensible, patriotic and to the point His earnestness of manner, honesty integrity and weIl-known love for his coun try and her institutions would have secured an attentive audience, no matter what he might have said, but We know that, indepen dent of these, his effort pleased everybody present, and gave greater sstisfacton than tho efforts of fiashy orators who have heretofore mounted the wings of fancy and attempted tC soar through realms beyond their ken. It wa just what plain people admire, good, honest old-fsshoned talk about our country-its pas, present and future. No delicate frost work or ibrous network of elegant nothings fringeC it's edgings, nevertheless, it was "just th thing needed, {" and gave entire satisfaction
 After the oration, "Our Country Iris o Thee" and other patriotic airs were sweetly sung by Mrs. \. B. Bowers, Messrs Denni son, Dunn and Elliott. Lieut.. Oliver playeC accompaniments on the organ.
 bountiful collation. of choice viands va then spread out before the people, who par took of them with great gusto. Wine flowed toasts were drank, short speeches were made and men, women and children appeared t enjoy themselves hugely One feature of tn Celebration, and the one calculated to pleas, cheer and encourage hard-fsted sons of toil care-worn Indian watchers, and studious cit zens of the town, was the great number c intelligent, chaste, neatly-dressed women wives, sisters and mothers, of Yayapai Coun ty, and their eherub children, who grace the grounds with their presence, helped [ make matters smooth and pleasant, and whc in fact, furnished ali the good things for tn picnic. it was sight worth seeing, to SC so many fine looking women, beautiful lasses prattling children and fat babies gathered tc gether in the wilderness" to do honor t their country's birthday. Without wishin to make any inyidious remarks, we mu. say that no other town in Arizona can com pare with Prescott for the number, grace an beauty of its white females.
 General Deyin, Major Clendennin, Leuton ants Curtis, Oliver, and other military off cers were present and seemed to enjoy then selves
 Great credit is due Messrs. N F. Pierc and T. W. Brooks, for the part performed b them in getting up the Celebration. The did their duty well, and the Committee ac knowledge that but for them, matters woul not have been so shaped.
 We will close by expressing the wish tha those who participated in the late Celebra tion may live to enjoy many such others, am that before the next one comes along th