Omaha daily bee., 1874-07-07
CITY NEWS.
OUR NATIONAL HOLIDAY.
Emmett Monument Association
Picnic ct Bellevue.

In celebrating our Nations Nata
day, We should drop all else and
remembering the historic virtues o
our nations heroes, foster only tina
which will keep alive in our hear
of hearts, the spirit of emulation
and the glorious memories of the
Republic. Its annual recurrence
should bring nought but joyous
recOllections from the past; should
cause us to lay aside and forget all
the personal ambitions, political
strifes and non-American distinc.
tons of the present, and we
should all join in its celebra-
ton with that personal harmony
and public unity which will
keep the day ever before US as the
happiest of the past and the bright
est anticipation Ct the future.
Its proper observance and cue
celebration refines and elevates the
people-tLe nations soul ; renews
the patriots lOve-the nations life ;
and unites in one common band all
the transplanted elements that COZ
stitute our nations strength.
In the observance of the Fourth
Of July, 1874, our Irish-American
citizens, under the auspices of the
Emmett Monument Association,
can be said to have appreciated and
commemorated the day in a spirit
and manner more national than
much Of the native population.
THEIR PICNIC
at Bellevue was, in everything,
American, harmonious and joyous
in nothing foreign, political or
discOrdant.
THE GROUNDS
were admirably adapted to the pur-
pose and exceedingly lovely by Nd
ture, and mad been improved with
q fine dancing floor, a stand for the
musicians and a well of pure water.
A fine band discoursed delicious
music through the shades, and ev-
erything, save the exceeding heat
of the day, was propitious for the
largest amount of enjoyment such
an occasion could afford. One EN-
erald Flag, emblematic of the old
nationality of the celebrators, float
ed above the dancing floor, and
around II, a sort Of p~rotectorate,
waved the starry banners of our
land, under which many of the
brave men there assembled had
marched and fought-that glorious
flag at sight, of which, many other
brave men, after facing death in
each horrible form, have shouted
themselves hoarse In the lunacy Of
joy, or, after enduring weary
months of living death in southern
prisons, wept with the abandon of
childhood, when its protecting bars
came between them and the burn
ing southern sun that had seemed
to search among their vitals to lick
up the last drop of blood.
The attendance was large enough
for pleasure, and not too large for
comfort. There was no set pro-
gramme. No aspiring politician
bored weary listeners, with worn
out declamatious. The simple read
ing Of the
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE,
over, all were flee to follow their
own inclinatiOns.
Dancers kept joyous time to the
music's cadence, till the day grew
warm, and then wandering off
through the groves, made the
echoes ring with merry laughter.
Athletes contested in games of
agility and strength. Those who
love the horse for his speed, had
their sport in several well matched
races. Others of more quiet nature
formed little circles, in the more
shady spots, but many a merry
shout denoted that they were not
less happy.
Children jumped, tumbled, shout
ed or cried at pleasure, and were
spanked (if need be) at leisure;
young ladies flirted, laughed or
pouted; young gentlemen brough:
them water, ices and beer, or held
their fans. The reporter amused
himself best by sauntering too and
fro, admiring the fine specimens of
manly strength and beauty,-de-
of a noble race-and
their fair companions, of whom
there were many whose loneliness
and grace would be rare in any
cline.
No drunkenness, fighting or pro-
family marred the enchantment of
the day, and We are certain that all,
old or young, who participated in
its pleasures came home healthier
and better than they went.
All earthly joys are fleeing, aud
tie happiest morning often precedes
q sorrawful evening. While these
festivities were at their highest an
event occurred in Omaha, in the
sudden death of Bishop O'Gorman,
that threw . pail of gloom and sor-
row over Q whole vicarate.
Tidings of the sad event reached
the grounds near the close of the
day, causing an immediate sus-
pension of mirth, and filling all
hearts with sorrow, as the most
worthy Bishop was personally
known and beloved by all present.
Nothing could have been added to