West-Jersey pioneer., 1873-07-11
FOURTH OF JULY.

than it had before. In the ancient days
the days before the rebellion-there was a
uniformity of manner in it's observance,
, which that terrible event has nearly blotted
out. In the good old days when the morn
, ing flushed it's beauty upon the earth, all
the bells Of the town and country CON-
menced ringing out with a hearty joyous
ness, which reused all sleepers from their
: beds with an undefnable sense of the fact
that patriotism was one of the most pleas
ant things ON earth. Salvos of artillery
from cannon which had done good service
in the Revolution, filled the earth with
smoke, and sulphur, and vibration, and
love of country. Usually, all labors were
suspended, and even the farmers, i'll their
reverence for the day, left the ripened grain
standing in the fields, while with their fam
lilies, they gave themselves up to the pleas
ure of the festive day. Besides this, there
was military display. Farmers, laborers,
artisans-inen of every occupation, donned
a uniform; consisting usually of a blue coat
with white pantaloons and red sash, set
ting off a hat cockaded and plumed. Arms
of different styles and patterns, from shot
guns to rifles, were carried on the shoulders
and made to do good service in militia ex-
ercises. Bands Of music, not so artistic,
probably, as those of to-day, filled the air
with a coarse, free melody, which far sur
passes anything we lave to-day, because
the hearts of the musicians were in the tat
toots which they drummed, on the bugles
and flies which they played. The music
was grander and fuller because American
hearts that loved their country inspired the
hands and lips which played the instru-
ments Then the public commons or parks
were lined with stands, where fire crackers,
and other pyrotechnics were sold, and edl-
bles and drinkables, both of which were
allowable in those times of doubtful diges-
ton and temperance, but which would
scarcely pass muster now. The boys always
had money to spend, and spent it with
conscientious gusto as duty properly be-
longing to the day they celebrated. The
severe economy of the times looked suspi-
ciously upon any money which might be
for other than practical uses, but the Fourth
of July was an exception, and the boyish
pennies and the manly shillings were scat
tered with a reckless disregard of the quad
pro quo, which on any other day would have
been an economical sin not easily repented.
Always too, there was procession. The
military music preceded the long line; Off
cars of the day rode reeking plough horses
in fierce hurrys up and down the files; cler-
gymen and civic dignitaries occupied places
of honor, the military filed its place as
guard and then all kinds of miscellaneous
people fell in line and walked together to
the tune of the ''Star Spangled Banner to
church, where the celebration was to be
held. CONSPICUOUS in the procession, in the
finest and best of carriages streaming with
flags, and honored with cheers, rode the men
who had fought in the Revolution. 1t is
difficult, at this period, to estimate the en-
thusiasm with which the people regarded
soldier of the Revolutionary war. The events
of that war comparatively recent, and the
causes which brought it about were fire.
quently talked over. A man who had actu-
tually fought in those battles; who had fired
his gun at the denominating relocated Brit
tish, was hero of no common magnitude,
and the best places in the churches, as we'll
as in the carriages, were reserved for them.
Some ambitious orator, read the Declara-
ton of Independence. 1t was not always
we'll understood. The fierce denunciations
against King George and the British aris-
tocracy, walked indignant sentiments against
Great Britain though we scarcely knew
why, and the pledge 'of ''life, liberty and
sacred honor" with which it concluded, was
one one which everybody made in vague
and general sense Of determination to defend
the land against all enemies. Then there
was the Grafton, which was really .he grand
feature of the day. No nation can prosper
in patriotism without its orators, and the
best talker, who could be reached in the
community, whether he were lay or clerical,
was chosen for the occasion. The orations
were generally lecitals of our national in
fancy and clildhood-of our advancing
greatness-of our probable future, and the
rules by which, as a nation, we could 60 for
ward in a pathway of victorious national
practice, and attain an eminence of splendid |
national grandeur. This was a grand fea-
ture of national education and did more
than all other influences combined to create |
the sentiment which rendered the war for |
disunion an inevitable failure, and held a |
reputable number faithful to the Union all |
over the South. Much of this passed away. |
The Declaration of Independence, except |
in the grand fact of it's symbolism of nation |
al existence, does not mean much to us now.
But Gettysburg, Vicksburg and Port Hud-
son live freshly as Fourth of July events,
and under no circumstances should ma
tons birthday pass into desuetude. Weare
not hearty enough in 1t now. There is too
much liquor and lager, and too little hearty |
cheering and huzzaing. Not enough Grating.
Not enough-if you choose to call it so-of
spread eagle-of inflated sentiment. Too
much of polite Indifference, and too little OF
strong assertion. The nations birthday |
should always be kept, and kept in such |
way as makes every citizen glad that he be-
longs to the American family.
In Bridgeton the Ninety-Seventh Anni-
versary of American Independence was not
celebrated by any public demonstration;
not even the ringing of bells and firing of
cannon saluted the ear. Fire crackers, for
hidden by the city ordinance, were profuse-
ly discharged during the day, and fireworks
of various kinds illuminated our city during |
the evening. No serious results followed,
the rain of the afternoon having had good
effect. Celebrations took place in different
parts of the county, and the citizens of
Bridgeton had their choice of places. Trains
left for Cedarville, Port Norris and Bayside.
At Cedarville, the citizens united with
the Odd Fellows of Welcome Friends Lodge,