Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-07-09

1 NopcOhi SOEfssPonuenCo oi tuo hetefuJ
Independence day is seldom more
happily and suitably celebrated than
it was this year at Beetown. Al
though Beetown is not noted for its
natural or architectural beauty, yet
it is singulariy fortunate in the pos
session of supurb picnic ground.
The beautiful grove of elms near the
sehool-house, spreading so graceful
ly aboy tho clean, smooth turf that
stretches alcng rivulet, forms q
lovely place that can never be for
gotten. There was ample room be-
meath the vast canopy for the crowds
of people, the refreshment stands,
the dining table, the dancing floor,
the picnic dinners and for strolling
about. In fact the grove and the
fine weather were enough to ensure
happy day. But this was not all,
for the public spirit, generosity and
cordial friendship of the Beetown
people contributed their full share to
render the occasion pleasant.
There was an abundance of music
to give voice to the feelings that the
day and the scene inspired. The
Patch Grove Cornet Band deserves
high praise for good music and gem
tlemanly department. There was
plenty of drum and fife and good
choir of singers, and above all, away
upon a juttiDg crag near the top of
the bluff the cannon raised its defiant
shout, reminding many an old SOL
der of the frowning summit of Ken
nesaw Mountain against which he
was lead just eight years ago.
The Grafton by Hon. J. Allen Bar
Der was the principal feature of the
occasion and was listened to with
marked attention. There was as
little of partisan nature as could be
expected Of any man in public life.
He dwelt for some time upon the
tariff, showing how the policy of the
government had built up our manu-
features and commerce. enriched our
people, rendered us prosperous and
independent in peace and powerful
in war, and made our country An as
sylum to all the poor and oppressed
of every land. He said 81 have fur
nished the money to bring over,
strong, able-bodied men who were
working in the old country for twen-
ty dollars per year, and women who
were working as common field hands
for twelve dollars per year." He told
the miners all about the recent legis-
lation upon lead and how the tariff
was finally reduced only one half
cent per pound. He spoke of the
Ku>klux act and election laws of the
South, clearly stating how he voted
and challenged criticism or disapprcv-
al either by his constituents or the
world. He said 81 voted for those
acts and | am ready to defend my
vote before any audience, and, so
help me God, sooner than adjourn
without passing the ku-klux act l
would have staid there to the end of
my term" The greater part of the
grafton, Astounding in high patron
ism and sound craftsmanship, must
be passed over for want of space.
Mr.. Barber was followed by Rev.
A. ID. Dexter, of Lancaster, W no said
he was one of the vast number who
had sought home beneath that glo-
rious banner of stars and stripes
His residence among US was purely
from choice, not from necessity. In
an eloquent manner he commended
to this land of his adoption the great
safeguards of strength and perpetui.
Education and Religion-neither
to the exclusion of the other. Mr..
Dexter made good impression and
all were satisfied that the land of
blue noses had lost and we had gained
a good citizen and q brilliant man.
Next comes dinner which was dis
patched in most satisfactory mans
ner. 1t was truly glorious sight
to sec the happy groups around each
bountiful spread of viands, scattered
here and there throughout the grove.
A well furnished public table was
patronized by those who preferred q
square meal with hot victuals and
drinks. After dinner the crowd was
thrown into hilarious confusion by
the charge of a masked battery, or
rather masked cavalry company
that looked decidedly battered and
tatterod and comical
The after dinner toasts were about
the same as on all similar occasions
they cant be improved-the charm
rests in the manner of doing it. Any
dish of stale toasts might be warmed
over aud made as good as new by
the splendid manner in which they
were read, or, l might say, charged
and primed and fired off by Squire
Rockefeller, the champion toast.
master of Grant County.
A more polite and orderly crowd
it is seldom our good fortune to help
constitute. There was fair attend
ance from other towns, especially
Lancaster. STICK.
THE FOURTH AT HAZEL GREEN.