The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-07-04
THE DAY We CELEBRATE,
How we Used To-How we Do

BETTING the celebration of 30 great an
event in the worlds history, as the an
niversary OF our national independence.
For weeks prior to it's advent the VIII
lisge lawyer. who was almost invaria-
bly, the orator of the day, was picking
and choosing the words be was building
into an GRAFTON, the reader OF the Dec
laration OF Independence was commit
ting the words of that precious docu-
ment to memory, the "Cornstslk Mill
tia" famous in their day and generation
were being surrepticiously drilled by q
"soldier OF the war of 'l2,"t that they
might burst upon their astonished
sweethearts and friends, on the great
day, as full-fedged soldierE country
lasses were deep in the mysteries of
gingerbread making, pie baking, chick
co roasting and the rest OF the prepare
tons for the grand dinner to be served
in the woods on rustic tables, that
would hardly hold the feast provided,
and little boys watched anxiously every
stsge that drove up to the village post
Office, to see if the promised supply Of
fireworks had arrived. All was anxi-
Gus expectation.
Then, when the day come, how glo-
riously the sun shone, how bright the
earth looked, how sweet the red-cheek.
ed, corn-'ed lassies, as they came TO
town in the two horse farm wagon, that
was crowded with etraight-backed,
split. bottom chairs for "tne old folks
ard the wimmen folks" 70 eli on. How
the orator smelled like a shirt in a
high wind as he gave u;terance to his
patriotic remarks aud h;d defiance to
the British Lion. Oh, twas glorious
Then came the dinner. How boun-
tifully everything was provided. How
hungry you were; how thin the lemon
ade; how sweaty the girls who waited
on the table. What feast it was |!
Though your attention was drawn
about halt the time to killing the little
black ants that crawlcd up your trow-
ssrs legs, and the other half to pulling
the flesh off tough drumstick OF tur-
KEY or chicken, you felt thatrhere never
! was such meal or such another cele"
bration as yours
But this is all changed now. A few
public or private picnica, few fire
crackers exploded, a good deal of noise,
q good dea! OF beer and no patriotism,
makes up the sum and substance OF
Fourth OF July now-a-days.
We have often wondered what would
this country be without its stump
orators who kindle anew the fires des-
tined to burn upon the affairs OF our
liberties; who revivify the glorious as
socia,ions of the past, rejuvenate "the
sons OF '16, my boys" and make public
opinion for generations yet unborn, per.
maps? Oh, who shall tell of the ef-
feryescent deeds OF our forefathers
when then ran rough shod DER the
steppes OF the western world and beat
back with giant strides the cohorts of a
willy toe2 Nor pen of man, nor tongue
OF woman shall proclaim these selteyi-
dent truths in vain. Bright harbinger
of eternal lay that rose upon this mun~
dane sphere, and disclosed in all its
grandeur, in all its festive loyelIness, in
its fascinating exhuterance, the heart.
throbs Of living future Where be
now the bone and sinew that gave to
Us this great boon OF freedom 2 Where
be now those mighty intellects that
conceived and the physical preponder
arces that carried 20 successful and
victorious finale the intricate mazes Of
q world in arms? All, friends, be thine
the power and thine the will to drown in
oblivion the recollections of unjust men
made imperfect thro1gh tribulation and
incessant wraugling or incoherent and
dubious wailiugs Of the oppressed Of all
nations; for is not this the worlds asy.
lum, where the renegade and the free
booter from lands far away towards
the rising sun may find an abiding
place for the soles OF their feet? 1s not
this a haven Of refuge, dolce far
niente, where the refuge and
scum OF other lands may pile ur.
on ours ohjugstsd shores, and carry
desolation and destruction to the peace.
full hearths OF our unsuspecting. inuo-
cent families? In what sincere veners-
ton should we hold those who help to
populate this land OF freedom with 60
many migrate sons and daughters Of a
thievish clan. ooh, cheese, it." and
"enerry your ribs." may sound beauti-
full and harmonious to ears tuned to
that pathetic lay, but fellow citizens,
they bring no sound of cheer to us;
they deligh. not the uututored savage
OF the western waters, nor fill With glee
| the yaguin bosoms Of our primeval
daughters. The lands Of the sun, the
lands Of the mighty cstaracts that wash
the shores with tears Of endless Woe, ARE
u L Al L