Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-07-05
The Fourth in Montpelier,

IN which the old-time firing Of cannon, the
ringing of bells, the interminable din OF tor
pedoes and fire crackers, the inevitable grand
procession. the grafton and the brIllia ut IRE
works IN the evening, entered largely into the
festivities and were made prominent features
of the occasion. The ascent Of fine larg
balloon, and two boat races on the Ninooski
river. added new attractions to the exercises
of the day. The wea Their during the day
was fine. and, but for a slight shower in the
evening, which damaged in some degree the
display Of fireworks as well as the curiosity
of the anxious multitude, and sent the people
home 10 a hurry, would have been entirely
satisfactory to everybody. The attendance
was large, some 2O,00O people being present.
Notwith standing these large numbers, very
fair order was maintained and but few acct
dents or unpleasa ut incidents occurred
The carnival of noise and uproar com
menced promptly at midnight, and balmy
sleep was driven from all eyelids by the most
hideous screeching Of steam whistles, the
ringing of bells. firing Of anvils and ali the
noisy appliances which Young America know
30 well how best to bring into requistion
when any " celebrating is to be done to
order In the main streets, noise was not
the only thing essayed, but huge boufres
were kIndled to throw light upon the yet
but half enforced fact that July 4th had
been ushered IN and s' Independence day had
come. Staid citizens ard sleepy matrons
II 10 - oUI nj
sighed for that lodge in some vast wilderness,
where noise wouldn't reach them till the
mornings dawn The confusion and hubbub
continued and increased until the boys were
willing to give it up So and betake them
selves to preparations for the fun Of the APP
preaching day.
With the first appearance Of the sun, the
people from the country round about began
to pour in, ana the stream increased and
surged in more rapidly as the morning wore
on. The people came in in all manner Of
vehicles. The trim. light trotting sulkY Of the
turfman found its quaint counterpart in the
improvlsed two wheeled nondcsc-ipt Of the
French Jehu. The substantial but aristo-
cratic Concord coach was followed by the
huge hay wagon Of the farmer, made as
comfortable az board seats and buffalo Gov
eriugs could render it. And there were no
empty seats IN any Of these carriages
Could the roll-call have been made the re
spOnse would have been, = all present" 1t
was our country's natal day, and mankin
and womankind alike had come out to honor
i and enjoy its festivities. The crowd was
peculiarly happy looking one. Those
composing it came to enjoy the celebration :,
of July didn't come but once a year, they
rightly thought, and a big celebration al
Montpelier rarely occurred oftener than once
IN decennial decade. 1t was therefore
quite proper to invest in large stock Of
faith that the good time " was to come
that day and not dim the present anticipated
enjoyment by any gloomy Portents Of pro
spectivc failure 1t is certainly asserted that
the bliss Of anticipation is quite as great as
that of realization, and the coun tenances Of
the incoming people seemed to indicate that
at least the sweets Of expectation were being
enjoyed.
The several trains on the railroad were all
late in getting in, owing to the immense
throngs clamor;ng for conveyance For
once, and we believe it Is the first time, the
Vermont Central was " stuck in it, car
and motive power accommodations. Ii
couldn bring all the people desiring to
come on its regular and special trains. and
was compelled to run back and bring up the
- rear guard - at late hours and inconveni
ent times. As each long train came in. a
huge, dense mass Of humanity surged from
the cars, till at length it was estimated our
streets and houses were filed by something
like 1900 persons. Where this immense
throng was to find rest, refreshmcnt and rec
reation till the evening trains and teams
should take them home, was problem not
then solved; but that problem was complete
IL and satisfactorily worked out ere the day
closed.
The Cadets Of Norwich University, at
Northfeld, had been invited to participate
with our citizens in the celebration, and
they came in on the special morning train
They were under command of Can't Curtis
of the United States Army, an excellent dis
ciplinarlan, an efficient officer. and a courtc-
GUS and cultivated gentleman. The Cadets
were in full uniform and arms, and by their
soldicrly bearing and fire marching attracted
much attention, adding greatly to the inter
est of all the exercises in which they took 2
hand
The Ethan Allen fire company Of Burling-
ton, accompanied by the Queen CITY Cornet
Band, " ere also present as the guests of our
fire department fner-Iooking or better
disciplined fire company we have never seen
march through our streets. They were the
observed Of all observers, and elected the
warmest commentator tor their gentlemanly
behavior and fremen-like bearing. If these
are not the " original Ethan Aliens. We
must confess our people were entirely salts
fed and pleased with the = counterfeit pre-
sentiment, and prophesy the hero Of old
TicOnderoga will never have occasion to be
ashamed Of or blush for his rcsoIute name
sakes.
The Richmond Cornet Band-IG pieces
was also present as the guest of Mr.. Bish-
op at Bishops hotel, and discoursed much
fine music The Queen City Cornet Band ac-
companyIng the Ethan Aliens, numbere sew
enteen pieces, and il really fine band Of
musicians. just before the balloon went up,
these bands went upon the stand, and unit
ing with the Montpelier Band, under the
leadership Of Ii. FIles, ESQ played Hail
Columbia = and 8. Yankee Doodle - in
manner to 50 bring down the house. and
the music was enthusiastically cheered by
the delighted throng gathered all about