Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-06-27

sentiment of sacred local associations.
The commemorative solemnities of the
day will be held in Independence Square,
the speakers and distinguished guests occu-
plying platform built against the southern
front OF the old Hall. Richard Henry Lee
will therefore read the Declaration OF In
dependence within a few yards of the spot
where his grandfather moved Its adoption
and very little further from that where II
was first read to the people. The latter
act occurred on the S;h Of July, l"'6,
when John Nixon, Chairman OF the Com
mittee of Safety, mounted to the balcony
of little observatory. erected Tor the as
tronomer Rittenhouse, before the transit
of Venus in the year 1869, and there read
aloud the immortal document to the as
sembfed people. Its not generally known
that the foundations of the observatory
(Which disappeared long since) have been
recently discovered, near the southeast
ern corner of the square.
This is the one place. of all places in
the country for the Nations centennial
celebration. Independence Square, OF
course, will not contain tenth part OF the
multitude which will seek to behold at a
distance, if not to hear, some portion OF
the august ceremonies; but no other spot
could possibly offer greater facilities. For
the difficulty is inherent in the limited
powers of ear, voice, and vision. Under
the most favorable conditions, it would be
simply impossible for more than lo'ooo
persons to hear any part of the proceed
ings, or for more than 10000 to see them
with tolerable distinctness. Independence
Square, with Fifth, Sixth and Walnut
streets, will contain the latter number,
and some additional thousands will find
places in the surrounding buildings. In
such an inclosed space the voices of the
speakers will 90 further with less painful
effort. owing both to the combining walls
and to the greater certainty of silence in the
audience. There will undoubtedly be twice
the number of real participants in the Gel
ebration than if it were to take place on
the Exhibition grounds, or in any part OF
Paramount Park.
In its details, we do not see how the
could have been made
simpler or more appropriate Its chief
features will be: a hymn by Oliver Wen
dell Holmes of Massachusetts; the read
ing of the Declaration of Independence
by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia; an
ode by Bayard Taylor of Pennsylvania :
an Grafton by William M. Evarts of New
York. and march by Senior Gomez of
Brazil, composed at the request OF Dom
Pedro H., who will be present. The four
principal States of the first Union are thus
represented, and the greatest power on
the other half of the American Continent
adds its generous congratulation.
For the hundreds of thousands who
must OF necessity give up all hope of wit
Messing the chief ceremonies, there will! be
no lack Of attendant celebrations. There
will be professions, parades, an overflow
ing abundance of music, banners and en-
blematic decorations; meetings OF asso'
Citations, with their own special speeches
and songs; the planting of memorial
trees, and other tokens which shall! carry
the memory of the day into future years ;
and the patriotic consciousness OF every
man and woman will add its share to the
general conservation of the occasion. We
cannot doubt that in character. no less
than in its historical significance, the
Fourth of July. 1876, will be day, the
like of which none who see it may ever
again behold.-NeW York Tribune.