The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-07-04
TpR FOURTH OF JULY.-We cele-

THE FOURTH OF JULr.-We cele-
brate to day the ninety.sixth annlver'
sary of our existence as nation Tree
and Independent" and endowed with
the inalienable rights of making
spread eagle speeches, abusing John
Bull and every other nation we may
wish to, shooting fre-crackers, rockets,
cannon and muskets, and getting the
collie on ginger beer, lemonade and
gingerbread, or blazing drunk on ben.
zine.
The mode OF celebrating the Fourth
has changed materially within the last
decade. A shady grove, long spread
rustic tables, covered with eatables,
barrels of pure spring water, a couple
of anvils in lieu OF cannon, reader oil
the Declaration of Independence, and
an orator who could talk of our mani
fest destiny" very glibly-generally the
village lawyer or schoolmaster-were
considered prerequisites to a proper OBJ
servance of the day. Then men were
patriotic. They really loved their coun-
try and her institutions, and the pentup
patriotism of the year found proper
vent on "the day we celebrate.
1t is very different now.
To-day the Fourth of July, is not as
generally regarded as Thanksgiving
Day. Its history and associations are
forgotten, and men seem to think they
have performed patriotic act if they
display flag as big as a five cent
postage stamp. Men now think more
Of self than of country. If they allude
to the government at all it is as some
thing to be robbed and swindled. No
man, nowadays takes his child on his
knee and tells HIN of the noble sacri-
ces O! the women and the heroic strug-
giles Of the men of the revolution or
teaches him to revere the fathers Of
this country and their teachings.
Patriotism is a thing Of the past and
love of self and of gain has taken the
place OF love Of country.
The manner in which we celebrate
the Fourth now is vastly more quiet
and genteel now than it used to be, but
vastly less patriotic. BY our present
mode the highly perfumed snob can
keep himself from vulgar contact with
the people of the nation, and can boast
when the day is ended that 1--WE had
doosed genteel affair-ah, at our picnic
you know. No vulgah cweetuahs there
me boy. None but our set, you know
Pom honah."
Has the change been for the better
But, as the galootish philosopher re
marked, ut It's as it It's, and it can
be any 'tisser."
We trust our readers may enjoy them
selves to the full, and by their enjoy
ment bring back the recollection Of
childhood's days, when the Fourth o
July was an occasion to be looked for
ward to with pleasurable anticipation
and to be remembered with emotions O
pleasure.
To day there is to be tournament
at James Burley's place. Just hack q
Bridgeport, Ohio.
The Mannerchor gives picnic a
Zane's Orchard.
Ben. Franklin Council No. l, o. U
A. NJ, gives picnic at Valley Grove
on the Hempfeld railroad.
The Beethoven Singing Society and
the Turner's give picnic at the Fail
Grounds.
The Catholics give a picnic neal
Roney's Point, on the Hempfeld rail-
road, for the benefit of their South
Wheeling Church.
Enterprise Council No. ., o. U. A
NJ, give a picnic at Stelrs Grove, neal
Elm Grove.
A picnic is to be given at Cresap's
Grove, the Market Boy having beer
engaged to convey participants.
Besides these we hear Of several pri.
va,e picnics to he given at different
points. If the day be pleasant We
judge happiness and enjoyment will be
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