The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-05


Independence Day was duly and patriot
cally celebrated according to programme,
fortunately with less than the usual offsets of
casualties to mar the joy of its explosive
memories Salvos of artillery saluted the
sunrise on the Birthday of Freedom. As the
Star-Spangled Banner rose to its place at the
top of thousand fagstafs it was greeted by
as bright q sun ss ever shone upon July
morning. and through the day the weather
was most propitOus-clear, or at times slightly
clouded-and though hot yet tempered by
soft breeze welcome to all, and especially SO to
the citizen soldiery, whose early parade and
review by the Mayor at Union square
was one of the finest features of the public
celebration. OF course, from the first tint OF
dawn far into the night Young America
burned gunpowder in many forms, more or less
safe and noisy, and with the net result of COM
paratively few serious consequences Several
of our churches joined in the general express
sion of patriotic joy by glad peals of Ginning
bells and by extraordinary religious exercises,
The grand races at Long Branch, with the at
tendant pleasures of q charming sail
down the Bay, took thousands of our
citizens from their homes early in the
day, and brought them back at even
ing tired with the pleasurable excitement
Various yacht races and rowing matches en-
gagged the attention of the lovers of water
sports, while many others enjoyed excursions
on the rivers, Sound and Bay. The national
game of base ball was duly honored by
splendid match at the Union Grounds, where
some eight thousand people witnessed the
sport Central Park was the happy scene of
quiet recreation for vast throngs of those who
rarely on a week day take the time to breathe
the fresh Dir and smell the sweetness of vege-
tation. There, too, music lent her charms to
the day, while the artistic beauty of the new
fountain threw its graceful jets in honor of
the national holiday. All the other city parks
had their full compliments of visitors, dressed
in their best, and willing to please and be
pleased. Many city workers being released
for three days vacation there has been o
large outflow Of our people, with their wives
and babies, into the surrounding country by
the railroads and steamers.
At noon the forts in and about the harbor
shook the earth with the thunderous rever-
berations of their national salute, and limited
at their capacity for annoyance and destruc-
ton should ever our city be visited by
hostile feet Tammany Society held its
customary council in the grand Wigwam,
listened to big talks and short talks from
sapient Sachems, and virtuously smoked the
pipe of peace while chief read the Declnra-
ton of Independence. At the institutions on
the islands the Commissioners OF Charities
and Correction did their best to allow even
our paupers and criminals to join in the
rela1ations of the national birthday. Fire
works of every hue, in many shapes and of
various formations, became in order as
soon as the daylight faded In every
direction-from the various parks and public
squares Of the city; from private residences;
from Brooklyn, Staten Island, Jersey City,
Hoboken; from the vessels in both rivers,
from thousand points bright lines
of red, blue, green and yellow fire, singly, in
clusters, or bursting into shower of bril-
liancy. In all forms which pyrotechny has
devised to please the eye these blazing
meteors shot into the sky in wondrous and
magic beauty. These were for the delight Of
all who, from the sidewalks, from windows or
roofs, looked out on the glorifed night But
for the acres Of spectators who crowded about
the exhibition stands there were still grander
triumphs of the art whose materials are fire
and motion. These displays were never more
perfect than last night, and they were most
heartily applauded by those who were fortu-
nate enough to see them.
Fatigue is sure to follow hearty pleasure.
Probably more people went to bed in New
York thoroughly tired last night than on any
other night in month. The day had been
most thoroughly accepted as q holiday 1t
did not pass harmlessly but, SO far as New
York and its immediate environs are con-
cerned, no great or general calamity detfacted
seriously from its pleasures. There were
limbs lost by unskilful or careless use Of gun
powder-perhaps even fatal results therefrom-
but they were single and uncommon. As
community we celebrated gladly, heartily,
honestly, patriotically in our several ways,
according to our ages; and we are already
looking forward, anticipating the glad repe-
tition, next year, of the noisy, smoky, sense
less, happy antics of yesterday. Our nation
has a birthday, and we are glad and proud
of it.
The Suite OF the shah.