The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-07-07
The Ninety.seyenth Anniversary.


The Ninety Anniversary of our
National Independence was celebrated quite
generally all over the Northern States
In our own State there were a great many
pic-nics. and celebrations in the country vii
lagos. The town of Waldoboro celebrated the
Tooth anniversary of the incorporation OF the
town. The procession was made up OF Engine
Companies, floral representations, GOOD Iemp-
lars, representations of the industry OF the
town and Sunday schools. Col. A. w. Brad
bury of Portland, delivered an Grafton which
occupied an hours time, and was highly com.
mended. On the stage was Mr.. Light of
Nobleboro. a native of Waldoboro, aged 1Ol
wears. 1t was the largest gathering of people
ever held in Lincoln county. Two or three
men were Frustrated with the heat and by ex-
ertions at the fire occasioned by the burning of
Newell Winslow's house which was entirely
destroyed.
At Belfast the day was celebrated in spirit
ed manner. The crowd was estimated at TO-
600. There YVES fine procession composed of
military, fire companies, public schools and
representations of Belfast business with five
bands. Hon. A. G. Jewett delivered an ora
ton on the Common.
Eastport had the finest regatta that ever oc-
Cured in Eastern Maine.
Bangor had an unusually fine celebration IN
an unnretepding way. There were fantasies,
military and other demonstrations fitting the
day.
Portsmouth, N. H., having long made prep
arations to celebrate July 4th, 1873 as its 25Oth
anniversary, fully carried out its purpose. 1t
was a reunion of her sons and daughters from
all parts of the country. The city appropriat-
ed $4,000 for the celebration, and all the peo-
pie in the city and the guests united in making
the occasion one of the most memorable that
ever occurred in New England. The process
sion was very large and imposing composed of
military and civic organizations. The Boston
delegation embraced 700 Sons of Portsmouth,
bearing banners with apt devices. There was
also delegation from New York The whole
city was decked with banners and manifold
and tasteful devices. A mammouth tent, hav-
ing tables to seat 1000 was furnished by the
Portsmouth people. After the collation., liter
airy exercises followed consisting of a poem
written by Albert Leighton of Portsmouth. In
response to appropriate toasts, speeches were
made by Frank Goodwin of Boston, Jacob
Wendall of New York, Rev. A. P. Peabody of
Harvard College, Robert Harris of Chicago
James T. Fields of Boston and others. The
shower cut short the literary performances, but
in the evening the people were ont in great
numbers. There was not a single accident to
mar the festivities of the day.
In Philadelphia there was celebration of
national Importance, because the authorities of
that city turned over to the President of the
Centennial Commission the grounds upon
which the exhibition in 1876 is to take place.
The ceremonies on the grounds were quite i'm
posing. A proclamation by President Grant
was read, declaring that in accordance with
the act of Congress, there would be an Inter
national Exhibition of arts, manufactures,
products of the soil, etc., to be opened April
10Th, 1876 and closing October 10Th, 1876. The
Mayor then made formal tender of the
grounds to Gen. Hawley, President of the
Commission, which he received with an appro-
pirate address, which closed with an earnest
appeal to the American people to make the Elk
hibtion worthy of the nation, and the event
it was to commemorate.
Boston had its usual celebration, the Grafton
beiog delivered by Rev. Mr.. Ware, which was
a very sharp criticism on the bad tendency of
the age and the need of an Independent and
intelligent manhood. M
Dispatches from the West indicate that the
day was more generally observed than usual