Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-07-05
INDEPENDENCE DAY.
THE FeuRTa IN WASHINGTON.
HE OLDEST INHABITANTS.
OTHER CELEBRATIONS.
SCENES AND INCIDENTS.

Inc ninety-rourth anniversary OF American
Independence was celebrated in this city yester-
day much as usual There was NO formal cele-
bration ercept those noticed below; but the
weather being very pleasant, thousands Of our
citizens spent the day picnicing in the environs
of Washington. All places OF business in the
city were closed, and flags were displayed from
public and private buildings. The day was
ushered in With the firing of cannon and ringing
Of bells. After dark there was the usual urn
ing Cf powder by "Yonng America" There
was, we are sorry to say, considerable disorderly
conduct in all parts OF the city, a. shown by the
reports from the several police precincts. The
cause was, in most casee, the Incorporate use
OF whiskey. No powers being vested an the
magistrates to hear these cases, the offenders
we're generally dismissed by the lieutenants In
barge after a few words OF caution. Cases OF
felony only were turned over to the Marshal,
Who committed parties charged for a hearing
before the Criminal Court:
Exercises az the MOnument Groands.
The Monument grounds proved to be the most
prominent point OF interest yesterday. Against
the east side of the monument shaft was erected
a spacious platform, which was covered with
canvass, and which WAS gaily decorated with
flags and wreaths. In front of the stand were
arranged numerous rows OF seats tor the accom-
modation of spectators The members of the =
OLDEST IsHABITANTs ASSOCIATION
appeared on the grounds about II 80 a. m for
the purpose of presenting TO the Washington
National Monument Society memorial block
the erection OF the monument.
Among the members OF the association present
we noticed DIR. j. b. Blake, President; Jenkin
Thomas, Chauncey Bestor, - and Francis b.
Lords Vice Presidents, Nicholas Callan, Treas
urer; j. Carroll Brent, Recording Secretary;
Seriphim Massie, Marshal; Samuel Weiss W.
III Tayloe, Coz. Jas. A. TAFT, Jacob Colclaser y
Thomas 5. Donoho, j. Goldsborough Bruf, r.
w. Clarke, Peter NJ. Pearson, Janes Adams \
John Purdy, w. Brooke. Major b. B. French,
White, Fielder X. Dorset, ~ 8. Mas, VIM A
Mulloy, Samuel Stettnius, Thomas Mcdonnell.
thomas 3. Campbell, wm. b. Todd, John W.
(Pl esident of the Survivors of the War of IsI2)
Geo W. Scott, paddock Williams, Isaac Hill,
James Goddard, Zachariah Forrest, Bladsn
Forrest. j. W. NARROW, Francis Hanna, Thos
Young, Thomas Foster, Alexander Borland. w.
Il. PomerOy, Samuel Magee, Wm. Cooper Jas
A. kennedy,~ VIM. N. Waters, Patrick O'Dono-
gh1e, Richard Petit. Thomas Peters, John |.
Hall, and William Thompson. The members
of the
SURVIVORS OF THE WAR or 1912
s were lew IN n .n because OF msunder-
wore their usu al badges and cockades, and they
were imbued, apparently, with the spirit of
ne ariy sixty years ago.
TIE NATIONAL WASHINGTON MONUMENT So
was represented by the presence of DR.. j. B.
Blake, lpresident,) VIM. b. Todd, j. Carroll
son.
MONTHLY MEETING OF THE OLDEST INHABI-
TANTS.
DIR. j. Il. Blake, president, called the associa-
ton TO order, and took the chair j. Carroll
Brent, Esq, was secretary.
On motion OF Mr.. Jenkin Thomas, the collec-
ton OF dues WAS omitted.
On motion of j. Carroll Brent, the rules were
suspended in relation to the admission Of mem
bers.
Mr.. Jenkin Thomas nominated for member-
ship Mr.. James Goddard, of Georgetovn. and
Capt. Chauncey Bestor nominated Isaac Hill.
and they were declared duly elected.
MT. j. Carroll Brent presented the followin,
resolution, and it was agreed to:
Resotred, That the election Of officers be post
Poned until the next meeting, and that a COM
mlttee Of five be appointed to nominate suitable
structed to inquire into the expediency of hold
ing quarterly instead of monthly meetings and
OF Increasing the dues to 81 per quarter.
MI Brent read letter from MIR John Under
wood, OF Dublin, Wayne county, Indiana. for
merry OF this city, in which was inclosed a pho
togrsph OF himself and dog "Fido,v the first
aged u years and 6 months, and the other II
years and months, both being natives of Wash
tngton. Inquiry was made as to the eligibility
OF the dog "Fido" for admission to member,
ship; but It wss feared he would prove too dog
matte il elected.
Mr.. Samuel Stettenius presented the associa-
ton with copy of Forces National Calendar
FOR 1879, and the thanks Of the association were
vote him therefor.
ON motion, the meeting adjourned.
The Marine Band being in attendance the
and large audience of ladies, gentle
nen and children were favored with the ..Red.
White and Blue" and "Yanke Doodle" in Prof
Scala's usual excellent style.
MT. Brent here read letter from Rev. DIR.
Septimus Tustin, who expressed his regrets at
icing unable, through illness, to be present.
pride Of the Americans of the present day. but
Ielt that the day would be appropriately cele-
brated by the Oldest Inhabitants Association.
band, when DIR. j. b. Blake, president OF the
oldest Inhabitants Association arose and. i'm
resentng the marble memorial block, spoke as
follows:
ADDRESS OF DIR. j. b. BLAKE
Mr.: President and members of the Washing
ton National Monument Society The AssOcis-
Columbia, wishing to perpetuate their reveren-
tial respect for the memory OF the great and
good Washington, have had this stone prepared,
which they request may be inserted IN the mon
nation for the father OF our country They have
selected this occasion as most appropriate for
It's presentation, as be vindicated and estab-
lished by his yalOr and wisdom, under the prov
ldence Of God, the sacred principles of mans |
to self-government which were enunciated |
In the heroic declaration Of American Indepen-
airy. No eulogy upon George Washington can |
elevate his character. Wherever virtue patriot
Ism, genuine heroism, prudent and far seeing |
craftsmanship are appreciated and admired |
ms name is known and venerated, and |
held In pre-eminent estimation. In his own |
country MS memory Is so affectionately and |
,acreuIy cnernned that the heart OF every
rs said to be q monument dedicated
TO him; but to give expression to this profourI
OF the nation some suitable svnohoi
" as deemed proper, and hence this mani 3cant 4
obelisk was suggested, the summit of which Is |
destined to reach empyrean heights. IS
blematic OF his pure fame tOwerf q em
al nun human reputation: Our ,ountrsmen have
his mopr-- ---sre for the completion OF
--.ssnt By cheerful, voluntary slbscrip-
tors which have raised il to its present height.
ha Stafn hay INIT faA thafr
interest in il, and so have foreign nations, by
memorial blocks OF marble or
other stone with suitable devices and inscrip-
lions. Benehcent and literary societies, such
AZ the Masonic fraterity. the independent
Order of Odd Fellows, temperance and fire
men associations, lyceums and other insti-
tutIons OF learning have, in various WAYS,
shown "A deep concern for its completion
While all classes Of our citizens, one capacity
or another, have favored the monument, re-
greet to say that all our government has done
was to charter your society and to allow the
monument to be erected on this spot, which was
designated for it in the original plan OF the city
that was adopted by Congress and approved by
Washington himself Congress stands pledged,
in repeated acts Of legislation, TO erect m0nu-
ment to Washington in this city, and it is not
owing to any want Of patriotism or lack of in
terest in the subject that this pledge has not
been redeemed. Whenever Congress has been
about to move in the matter some unforeseen
difficulty has arisen DELAY and the time