The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1874-07-08
METROPOLITAN LETTERS.

METROPOLITAN LETTERS
THE GLORIOUS FOCRTH-To MANY a DAY
OF GLOOM-HOw THE DAY. WAS USHER
ED IN AND vERITABLE AND INTER
EsTING HISTORY OF THE CELEBRATION
OF THE 9STH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERI-
CAN INDEPENDENCE AT KNOXVILLE.
KNOXVILLE, July 6, 1874
DEAR GAzETTE;-The eventfuI 18th has
come been fifty celebrated, and gone
like a shadow, as it, and all our days
are. To many of our people it was a
day of peculiar gloom. On the evening
of the Sd, we had buried Col. James r.
Cooke, one of the brightest ornaments
of the Knoxville Bar, and most respect
ed and useful of our citizens. On the
next morning we were called to follow
to her last resting place, Mrs. Ducloux
(7lee Esperandicu,) a most interesting and
lovely woman, but long a great sufferer
On the next morning again it was the
mournful duty of our people to follow to
the grave Mrs. Thomas Mitchell, who,
for long years was one of your nearest
neighbOrs, and of whom | can say moth
ing not already known to you. Again
yesterday, | heard the bells tolling for
some one else, whose name | did not
learn. Now don't you, and your people
get scared, and think we have some
terrible, fatal epidemic raging, for such
is not the case. Most of the sickness in
our community is that of confirmed in
valids, or in case of very feeble persons,
who are Frustrated by this insufferably
hot weather. We have great reason to
thank God for the health of the city and
neighborhood, and that we have no
al, 70
But let's go back to the glorious fourth.
Everybody, knows that Gen. Burnside
came, He was, here on. sharp time
take the General to be a minute man.
He was greeted by a salute of thirteen
guns at the hour of his arrival. AS the
fourth began to dawn we were awakened
and startled by peal after peal of fourth
of July music, from the mouths of the
University battery, until thirty-eight
shots were fired. Not long had the
echoes died aYay until swarms of citizens
came pouring in from the neighbOring
hills and valleys. 1t seemed to me that
they must have been dressed ana wait
ing for the signal somewhere III our near
vicinity, they got in so soon after the
firing ceased. But these were only the
advance guard of the hosts that were
coming, until most every road approach
ing the city was thrOnged. At about
IL o'clock the procession of Police,
Music, Fire Companies and Engines,
Citizens, City Fathers, Candidates, and
visitors was formed and began the march.
The Marshals of the day had been Sc
lected from all political parties, so that
the day was made one of general frater-
niZatiOn; and as the column moved out
on Gay street the singularly anomalous
spectacle of an eX-rebel soldier heading
and directing fourth of July procession
was presented to our people. But, why
not? This day, with its memories, is a
common heritage, belonging to the
whole American people. 1t was ours
before the war, and like the right to
vote, or any other franchise, it is ours
as long as we are citizens of the country
in which we now live. But, to come
back again to where depressed.
The procession moved up Gay street
to Church, thence down church to Lo-
Gust, thence to Asylum, thence to Broad,
thence to Vine, thence to Prince, thence
to Asylum, thence to Gay, thence to
Main, thence to the Institute grounds
The procession was married but by
one little incident. 1t seems that the
Chief of the Fire Department had ar
ranged to have the white companies
move in front until the column reached
reached Asylum street, where they were
to halt and the colored companies were
to take their places in the line, and keep
the front to the end of the march, the
white companies following. This ar
rangement, it seems, did not suit No
4, and Hook and Ladder companies. So
that when the darkies went to the front
they Withdrew from the line of march
and went back to their quarters, saying
that the Civil Rights couldn't pass them.
After we reached the Institute grounds
Judge Temple welcomed Gen. Burnside
in very neat little speech, after which,
the General made little talk. He is no
orator, and, one would judge by looking
at him, little else than a clear, genial
gentleman. AS | looked at the man,
heard him talk, and thought of how he
figured in history, couldn't help being
reminded of Gen. Frank Cheatham. He
was better fighter than Burnside, and
about as brilliant an orator.
After the speaking in town was over,
and all parties had refreshed little, we
took the train for Inskip Station, where
all the candidates for Congress-May.
nard, HOuk and Thornburg-m to
get their bits in and bore awhile. Geo.
Washington, Esq, at the request Of the
Typographical Union, made very ap-
prOpriate and happy address. Capt II.
ii. 1aylOr na0 been req ueSted TO address
them, but being called off by a telegram
announcing his mothers serious illness
Mr.. Washington was asked TO take his
place, and considering the fact that he
was compelled to be impromptu in his
remarks, we feel that we could have
made no better selection. At Inskip all
sgent merry as marriage bell. A plat
form for dancing had been erected, a
good string band engaged, and every
thing else done that the committee of
arrangements could do to make the
hours pass pleasantly away. am sure
that all went away pleased and gratified.
The fire works az night were Just what
every one predicted, when il was under
stood that Mr. Cowan had charge of
them. A most-decided suecess Taking
it all in all, the Fourth of July in Knox
vile WAS a very credifabie affair. No
political significance was sought TO be
given its celebration, and If anything
was gained to any party il must have
been to the Conservatives, for there was
q general burying of the Ratchet, a gen.
eral disposition to forget the war with
It's bitterness, and common feeling of de-
sire for continuance Of the feeling OF
good win, which seemed to animate ey-
cry heart. heard more than one man