The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-18
NEW YoRK's CENTENNIAL.
A MOVEMENT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR GRAND
CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE pAY-TuE

A MOVEMENT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR GRAND
CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY-TuE
PUBLIC INVITED TO PARTICIPATE.
An adjourned meeting OF the New York Centennial
Committee was held last evening the Filth Avenue
Hotel, Colonel Rush Q. Hawkins in the chair. There
were about llty prominent citizens present. among
them Augustus Schel Dexter 4. Hawkins Clark Bell,
Thurlow Weed Cnds W. Crosby, Russell Sage, Henry
Havomeyer. John J. Crane; otto Hundt, repre-
seniing the Arion Society; Major Sauer and
Goitschalk Minister, representing tho Sangerundc;
Emil Ungcr. representing tho Licdenskranz, and
General Franz Sige. To begin, Colonel Hawkins stated
thai some months ago organization WAS perfected
among the German singing societies to give grand
celebration the OF and during the Fourth OF
July, and occurred him and several Others that
II would be shame II this centennial anniversary OF
the Declaration Of independence allowed to pass
without recognition from native American
well adopted few gentlemen were
called together without regard TO nationality and
certain programme agreed upon for celc
bration.and general committee Of $50 appointed
The programme, as arranged provides for grand
torchght procession the evening Of the I'd Of July,
in which the German societies VIII take part At mid
night these will assemble in Union square and
sing the national airs. In tho morning salues Will be
fired from tho ships the harbor and the afternoon
between twevc ~ and two r. n. At four O'Clock tho
German societies will have another celebration IN the
Academy of Music.
THE roRcHLlGnr PROCESSION.
During the torchght procession all citizens Will be
invited TO illuminate their houses, and IL ~ expected
tnal Union square Will be ono bazc OF light throughout
immediately before the committee came the question
of finance. The Colonel thought that $1,000 would DO
sufficient, and 1t that could be settled at SUCCESS
would DO The Chairman called Tor sugges
tons from any Of the gentlemen mentioning pafticu-
larry the name OF Thuriow Weed.
Mr. Weed said he would prefer that some one earlier
In the movement should speak, but being called on he
pathcs In relation To the funds twice or thrice the
sum mentioned would not be too much for proper
celebration and there would not be y great deal OF
trouble IN raising IT,
one gentleman present suggested that there being
many people absent from the city on the sd and 4th
OF July, the illuminating OF private dwellings, along the
route Of procession would be mpraclicabie, as
they would not leave IL To their SER
wants AS long suffering member Of the
National Guard he said he had been parnding
every Fourth July for the admiration OF the
servant girls along The route.
Mr. Huudt spoke strongly In favor OF the illumination
and torchig procession and said It the intention
OF the singing societies months ago 10 celebrate the
Mr. Crosby SUPPORTED Mr. Weed on the financial
question, and thought that not less than s750 should
be raised Tor the purpose All the different organlza
tons III the clty-commercal, political and social
should be appealed to to make The celebration one Of
the grandcst in this country. II would
not do for New York. the empire city Of the Western
World, TO do anything cheap on such great OCCASION
Mr.. Weed followed Mr.. Crosby. He said be re-
spondcd being heartily favor OF the suggestions
thrown out by the former gentleman. He was morti-
lied to think that the attention OF the cl.izons OF New
York drawn 10 Philadelphia II 1t was cclebra-
tion Philadelphia not exposition II might be
d,nercnt There would not be ought not TO DO any
difficulty raising 500 600 for the purpose OF cclebrat
ing the Fourth Of July II don't believe y said Mr..
Weed, "thc Phiadelpnans have invited
THE DESCENDANTS OF LAFAYETTE,
and the observance OF the centennial celebration OF the
Declaration OF Independence without Lafayette would
be like the play OF Hamlet with the character OF Ham,
Mr.. Hawkins said The Grand Army of tho Repub-
lie have held meetings. and on being assured that
sufficient money should be raised by this committee
they decdcd co.. operate the demonstration.
General Sigel-important undertakings need prepa-
ration ana propose at we hss al soc'e s,s %no
expenses and It is also proper 10 invite all those who
represent these societies TO act with the General CON-
miltce The great peace celepraton when there werc
40, 900 in limo, cost S500,0O0; but each
society bore its own expenses. don't think
ought 10 be necessary to hire TO carry torch
1t is the duty Of every American citizen, native
adopted to take In the celebration OF this Fourth
OF July. Let every nationality be represented. APP
point committee VI organization to consumnatc vt
once general plan with AN estimate
Mr. Crosby-l am in favor OF having depot contain
ing 20 900 torches where every man procure one
join the procession and let them be free 10 all
MIR. Schell being asked to take the chair, Colonel
Hawkins sad-l have given this subject much at
teuion, have met bank presidents and insurance
officers, and believe that dollar Will not be raised
from these Institutions, account OF the general de-
preston OF business Ii is If hard hands
and tough sncws the money will be raised and not
from the men OF dollars
Mr. Weed said lie surprised and mortified to hear
that such feeling of apathy should exist among the
wealthy citizens of New York, ana they should be
shamcd into contributing for this laudable purpose.
On motion OF Colonel Hawkins II was decided 10 APP
point i've commees-a committee ON finance OF
twenty i've committee printing and police OF ten,
ten, torches, decoration and procession
OF and orator ode and Invitations OF ten THESE
committees TO be announced to-day.
General Siael moved that each of the General Com
mitttee be assessed So TO raise fund oil 81 900 10
proceed with at This motion subject to some
aisavor us 1t was stated that great many mean men
WHO could afford thousands would give the $40 and no
more The motion lost.
It finally decided to open subscription at once,
and 81. 00o subscribed last night Among the
names OF the subscribers Colonel Hawkins xl00;
Thurlow Weed Slc0; Aug. Schel 500; II. Have
meyer, 500; d. A. Hawkins, $780, Tn. H. DAVIS,
800; Russell Sage, $780, and J. j. Crane, S100 Gen.
eral Sgc headed another smaller subscription OF $50.
headquarters will be found in few days were all
the committees meet and report.