Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-07-05
Sunday school Pieniss and Excursions.
OTHER CELEBRzTyo.N-s.

ness was ehttTely appended, and throughout The
day Saobath-like stiffness prevailed on our
streets and avenaes, with the exception ef the
popping Of the sre-craekers. The public build
Ings, hotels, and many private residences were
decorated with flags. Many picnic s.d select
excursion parties left the city to spend the day
in the woeCis in the neighborhood, where they
Rad n good time u,-til the rain scattered them.
No steps were taken either by the National or
District government TO have the usual display of
fireworks; but there was general popping of
crackers and pistols and fzziRgcf fireworks all
the streets after dark, il spite OF the strict
police regulations against it There was but
little drunkenness or disorder 1ntil the return Of
the rowGies at night from various excursions,
when il was found necessary TO lock up mum.
hCT Of them IN the station houses; but there were
fewer arrests than on any fourth of July Ion
many wears past.
The main feature of the day was the e,cur-
fjon Of the members of the Oldest Inhahfts, lts'
Association, WHO celebrated
Tie Fourth ~ Mount Vernon.
place peculiarly appropriate. The AsSocia-
fon met IN front of the City Hail at abeut eight
O'Clock yesterday morning, and at about nine
the members, nearly one hundred in number,
marsha.ed by u. Il. q. Clark, Esq, marched in
procession TO the wharf at tine foot Of eth street,
COMPANY a, WASHINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY
Commanded By Capt. VIM. G.. Noofe and Lierts.
Richard lie Wis and oscar u. HOugh, Lieut.. Yates
beng abstnt. This company; which is com
mere. aud 70 the manor born.' numbered sixty
men, including officers, and presented a remark
consists Of a high cap surmOlrted with a white
pompOn, short dark blue coats, trimmed with
white and blue, aud white pants.
A FINE MILITARY ORG ANIZATIoy.
Net only did the company present a creditable
appearance, but We are safe in saving that in
their various evolutions and In their drill man
nal they Cispla yed proficiency which entities
tbs IN to rank with the best companies anywhere
The procession led by the drum CORPS of the
battalion took up its line of march down Louis
lana avenue to 9TH street aud Pennsylvania
avenue, thence down the avenue to 9Th street,
and down the latter street to point opposite the
wharf OF the steamer Arrow, which was 81 COLI
xey the exeursionists To Mount Vernon. Near
the wharf the company halted and fronting
presented arms while The Oldest Inhabitants
Association fled by with uplifted hats and en-
barked ON the steamer, followed a few minutes
later by their escort.
THE RIVER.
The Arrow LETT the wharf at ten O'Clock with
large and happy party on board made up of the
Oldest Inhabitants Association and number OF
fantry, With a portion OF company G, the Latter
ununifOTmed and without arms, and several
hundred ladies and gentlemen from the depart
ments. On the way down the river the tine
was beguiled with songs and impronptu
speeches, al Ofwhich were loudly spplauded,
and the greatest good humor prevailed. While
the steamer was her way between Washington
and Alexandria something of
SENSATION
was created By the whispered warning that pick
Poe were working the boat, and that they
had already relieved two of the Coolest Inhabi-
t tsnts' OF their wallets: They win Doubtless
So" exclaimed a lynx-eyed reporter of q rzorrl-
ing Journal; LIT GET on the wharf and spot ens;
I've had some experience in these matters. and
know thing OF two" The boat made her usual
landing at Alexandria, but no suspicious persons
debarked, and the steamer was soon under way
again. hunting up the parties who K was said
had been robbed, our reporter learned from one
that he had Lost his pocket book containing $40,
and from the other that he had also lost his wal
let with a small amount OF money. Soon after
leaving Fort Foote, the first gentleman discoy-
cred his Leather
where it had lodged through the medium er a
hole IN lbs pocket The other gentleman, after
considerable perplexity OF mind, believed he
had really left his money at home after all . and
thus the story OF the pickpockets was dissipated.
The exeUrsiOnists arrived at Fort Washin yton
just as the big guns on the ramparts were thUn-
deTingfOEth
NATIONAL MIDDAY SALUTE.
AT l23O the steamer reached the Mount Vernon
wharf, and the excuTsonists debarked for
TIE TOXD OF WASHINGTON.
The military first formed in line and marched
upthe hill 70 the tomb, where the company came
10 halt and presented arms; after which they
proceeded 10 the lawn west of the mansion, and
stacking aims, broke RANKS and scattered about
the grounds The Oldest Inh abitants next came
In procession, and after marching past the tomb
with uncovered heads, proceeded to the mansion,
and for an hour were engaged in inspecting the
relics
THE EXERCISES AT MOUNT VERNON.
At 10 they gathered on the eastern portico,
and were called 10 order, when the Rev. Sept
mus Iustin elo9uently invoked the Throne OF
Divine Grace in prayer peculiarly appropriate
to the occasion. The Declaration of indie
pendence was then readin clear and inpressiye
manner by John Carroll Brent, Esq, vino
promised by saying that this the first and
only time that great State paper had ever been
publicly read at Mount Vernon on q similar
occasion lie was followed By DR.. John B. Blake
president Of the association, who pronounced
the following GRAFTON. During its delivery he
was frequently interrupted by loud applause.
PRESIDENT BLAKE's ORATOR.
Otefst Inhabitants cf tAe District Of Columbia:
No more appropriate day could have been select
ed Tor visit 20 Mount Vernon than the ami
yersary OF American Independence. This was
the home OF the good and great Washington,
and here repose his mortal remains. The prin-
ciples proclaimed in the Declaration of 1nde-
pendence were indicated and established by
him Upon them he erected our model republic
which trust Is destined TO be an enduring
example 20 the world OF the capacity of man for
self-governnent. 1t stands upon the eternal
principles Of justice and right, acknowledging
al power TO be derived from the people, and the
11eaatast nn,oi.sr Uie sio"'cs' goou W the