New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-07
HOW TAuMANY KEPT THE FOURTH.

HOW TAuMANY KEPT THE FOURTH
Indenendence Day was celebrated in this
CITY with less than the usual noise, but win
more than the usual heartiness. 1t was res
tival of the whole people, whereas there mas
seemed danger in past years OF Its becoming
merely festival of the peoples churen'
Well dressed multitudes filed the streets, IN
tent upon quiet enjoyment, watched the mill
tary display, crowded the public squares
where fireworks were exhibited in the even
ing. or sought relief from noise and heat III
suburban excursions There was compare
lively little drunkenness, and great deal OF
ouiet enthusiasm Not for years has the ahhl-
versarv of our national birth been more agree
ably celebrated, or have the populace testHleu
more Enthusiastically their appreciation OF the
political blessings which we have inherited
from the patriots of 1776. We have suffered
so much in the defense of that inheritance
that its value is more keenly felt now than
ever it was before. The anniversary OF Jei-
ferson's glorious declaration comes TO us
freghtcd with the memories OF NlcksburS ana
Gettysburg; the same festival commentaries
the beginning of our national liberty uhuer
Washington and its confirmation under Grant
and Sherman. and Meade.
While most good citizens were celebrating
these events on Monday, and the survivors OF
the greatest Of our Eastern armies were
meeting to talk their battles over, and re-
new the friendships of the field and camp, the
leaders of the Democratic party gathered their
clans at Tammany Hall, and spent the day IN
denuuciation of the soldiers, and wild harangues
against the National Government. Their orators
had not one word of grateful reference to the
past not one word of congratulation on our
present success. The triumph of the Union
armies over the Rebellion was, in their view,
nothing but n partisan victory The defeat
of Secession was nothing but the subjugation oil
Sovereign States under the heel OF despotc
Congress The Federal Government, they de-
clared, is as bad as King George, "a tyrant I'M
" fit to be the ruler of free people" 1t has
robbed us of our dearest rights; 1t is "dcllb-
"erately engaged in an attempt step by step, to
deprive the people of their power OF local
"self-gOvernment :" aud "our liberties are
"being torn away while we are drugged with
General Grant and military glory Senator
Stockton assured the multitude that the policy
of Congress was nothing less than revolution,
and ought to be resisted by force if no other
way suiiced; and Mayor Hall put climax
to the indecent exhibition by decamng against
the soldiers Of the Army of the Potomac, whom
he accused of keeping alive the embers OF
&" civil war; and upbraiding the State militia
because they paid the honor of a marching
salute to the heroes of Gettysburg and the
Wilderness! We blush for our State that such a
celebration of the Fourth Of July should have
! been held in New-York but we are proud also
that even such evidences Of dsloyalty can betol-
Grated without danger to the Commonwealth.
! The Democracy plunged us into one civil war
we shall not let them involve us in another.