Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-07-10
The 4sh q. Fairfield.


inc 4tn ~ rafrueIu
TEMPLEroS's CREEK, July 7th, 1868.
Nm. BINGHAM, Sir: Having seen an
announcement in the american and Dem.
ocrat Of an old-fashioned celebration to
be held at Fairfield on the Fourtb--that
ever memorable day, that all true patriots
love to celebrate--and seeing that able
speakers were to be present, wo laid aside
our every. day suit. donned our SUNDAY
go-to. meetins," aud repaired to the beau
iful grove adjoining town, with our wife
and little ones, to pass the day 10 greet
ing Of friends and hearing what could be
said by Judge Reid aud others. The ball
opened BY the boom Of the cannon, but
we thought that the sound thereof was
not the soundsof the pure and outgushing
patriotism of'N76, and upon inquiry we
found that Il was the Young Hickory from
Brookvillc--that gun that was never heard
10 sounds salats fora Union victory dur
ing the whole Of our struggle with secess-
sion. Then i vas that the mystery with
US was solved.
Notwithstanding the heat Of tho day,
at an early hour the crowd began to as
semble, and the woods began to ring with
the chirp Of birds, the cry Of babies aud
the shouts Of Young America. Alto A..
M. the Judge aud others mounted the
stand and took their seats, while the Mar
shall of the day announced to the expec-
tant crowd that the first thing in order
was prayer by Rev. Proctor. Next was
the reading of the Declaration Of Iude-
pendence by Mr.. Brookbank, who, in
q. clear distinct voice, read 50 that all
could hear, that ninety two years ago our
sires, on account OF oppression by the
English, said they would be free. .After
which the Judge arose, with the stars and
stripes waving over his heads and made
very pretty address Of IN hours
length, in which he spplauded ell the
heroes Of the Revolution for creating and
handing down to US one Of tho best gov
erpmenis on earth; told Of the mighty
struggle 10 gain the victory; that they left
their homes, and left the heroic women TO
till the soil and raise the crops; after eight
long, weary years Of bloody conflict aud
death, they were victorious; that when the
war was over they made the immortal
Washington the ruler OF this nation; all
of which to me was very interesting and
pleasing Bat methought could see
anxious, listening. gray beaded men and
women waiting TO hear something said Of
the dear boys asy bad given in tho late
war TO protect and maintain those glorious
principles for which their forelathers had
fought. But lDl not word did he have
TO say for those brave soldiers, for whom
had II Not been. the blessing he and all
OF us was enjoying at this time would not
have been, that to-day; instead Of being
assembled under that old flag. Chat, by
the way, refused 10 stand aud float over
his head until supported by q staunch
Union man, that to day, had it not been
Tor those brave boys, ia that old Tags
stead might have been the stars and bars.
Is it possible that Judge Reid has moth
ing to say for those poor dead soldiers who
starved and rotied in the prisons Of the
South during the late war, and then have
tho impudenec to ask the living soldier
10 vote 10 send him TO make laws for them!
For shap,ei Judge Reid. No wonder that
that flag which they carried in battle, and
some OF them wrapped their wounded
bodies in and died, rather than sec il
uampled in The dust; no wonder, say,
that II refused to stand and wave over your
unhallowed head. oh, Judge, it is true
saying, that the way Of the iransgressor is
hard; at least you will fnd it 80 by the
time Geo. W. Julian gets through with
you. ssa.r
The Judge took his scat. no doubt feel
ing that be had made lasting impression
on bis hearers. After dinner, the hero Of
Salt Well offered some toasis, which, from
some cause unknown TO the writer, did
not meet with very hearty responses. AZ
ter which, there appeared to be desire in
some TO 90 home, but the Rev. Mr.. Pye
being present. was called, and came for
ward and made very fine address that
seemed to suit the occasion. He told us
that whilst he held sacred and cherished
In his memory our forefathers who be-
queathed to US our free and cherished in
stitutions, he could not forget those equal
ly brave patriots who fought secession and
gained victory over foe doubly danger.
Gus, by, being right in our midst. Then
il was that you could see the tears Of JOY
start from the old me ms eyes, to think
that there was one who had word to say
for their brave boys.
Then all seemed pleased with the cele-
bration. andns the shadows Of evening
were gathering, the crowd dispersed for
their homes, Very well satisfied with them
selves and the rest Of mankind.
Isl FILLS.