Litchfield enquirer., 1876-06-15
FIFTY YEARS Aco.

the signing of the Declaration of Inde- pendence. published in the Enquirer (then County Post), of July 11th, 1926: The EIftieth AnniversGsy Of A0serican 1 Independence is past.-We have seen no account of the proceedings on the day from abroad; but from the notes of pre- paration which previously sounded from ] Passamaquoddy to the rlver St. Marys. we are apt to believe, that, according to i the prediction of the late venerable Jobn Adams. uttered fifty years ago, the Fourth of July last was not only .'solemnized as the dag of deliUerdnce. by humble acts of devotion to Almighty God, but that il l was ''commemmorated with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonires and | ilhlminations, from one end of the eonti. Hent to the other. in this place We did not literally come up to the full letter of the prediction. yet such was the harmony and good feeling which char. acterized the proceedings of the day. spiced with suitable degree of hilarity, that they were all realized and enjoyed in the minds eye ...
 The dawn of the day was announced by the discharge of Cannon, and the sun, as he began his daily course, was greeted with federal salute." and the ringing of the bells. At l2 national salute was l fired: when the procession was formed at the County House, and proceeded to the church, escorted by the Washington Ar | tillery, and an excellent band of music, from New Haven. belonging to the Gov ernor's Guards. The services at the | church were highly interesting and in- structive.-The sentiments of the pieces f 1o of the organ, were admirably calculated feelings. The declaration of lndepen- dence was read by T. Smith, Esq.,, iR a manner we'll worthy of that most eloquent and interesting document.-Of the ad. dress. by J. P. Brace, Esq, we have heard but one general sentiment expressed by the audience, ali were glatifed-and as far as relates to the sons of Connecticut. all were satisfied. We are not vain enough to attempt a review of the oration, or to display our taste in selecting one part in preference to another: and have therefore requested of the writer permission to give it to our readers entire. One half of the house was we'll crowded with female beau ty; but we were a little yexed that the etiquette of the place, or some other cause, seemed to forbid the fair daughters of the heroes of '76 from eracing the day with any other show than promiscuous huddling together in crowded house. Perhaps we are little wild upon the sub- ject, but VI really think splendid pro. cession of ladies IS not an uninteresting sight upon such an occasion. But silent iy they came, and silently and unattended they retired from the church, the gentlemen in proper and orderly process sion returned to the County House, where 6 sumptuous dinner was prepared, of which very large number of citizens and strangers partook. After the removal of the cloth the following toasts were drank
 l. The dag ,Oe celebrate.
 It belongs to the World. May the na-
 tions soon claim 1t as their universal
 Jubilee. rg-,s s5 IS $ 4 <. !. : -, D. 2. Ihe Heroes of the Revolution. N ''Now shall their names.
 Familiar in our mouths as household
 words,
 Be in our flowing cups freshly remem- +- bered."
 3. To the memory of IKashington.
 Drank standing and in silence.
 4. The President of the United States,
 JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. Strongly armed in hIs honesty. the shafts
 of his enemies pass by him as the idle
 wind. tz4. .s-s.a s,... .....- <
 5. 2ne Gover7sor of the State 5of Con- nectic,H. .a saaa- ".a,4 FsJr
 G. Agriculture, Commerce., and Masau. factures. @ 9@5'' '4 + The pillars upon which rests the super
 structure of American Independence.
 7. The Militia. A freeman's honour can be protected only
 by freeman's arm.
 8. The Arnay and Navy.
 Our nations boast, our nations pride.
 g. Liberty. ,-.sl...s' -~fs.a G-as Our rich inheritdsace. May there never
 be "a failure of Aeirs. Of tbe whole blood
 of '76. So shall the precious estate
 never escheat to our Lord the King.
 10. The Union of the States. A golden chain, forged in the fires of the
 Revolution Mayit never be severed but by the fires of the last confagra.
 tion.
 II. Tue cause of the Gree6s.
 The cause of oppressed and suffering hu-
 manity. a9tfY Drank in silence.
 12. The Patriots of the Soath Anreri- can Republics.
 Their deeds and their fapae are imperish-
 able. We welcome them to the frater- nity of fresmen.
 13. The Fair zx5a = e
 Without the home that plighted love en-
 dears, - 7 -.sa,s.., .-.s . Without the smile from partial beauty
 won, -''s Say, what were man? The world without
 "' l.... :, 39 I"T1ggEE- @G f-9 v
 suu. a4.a} IzA.ss. as.a.s4. q. .s-
 VOLUNTEERS. e'a' s'.-. By the Pres, of the day, Hon. F Wolcot
 1he Orator of the day.
 A descendant of the Pilgrims, and an able
 advocats of theie prineiples and virtues. By .Gop. H0l9ots. aad rema arks Aby 1ias. May prosperity and honour attend our
 associates and friends, wherever. they
 are now convened and however widely
 they are dispsrsed.aH .ssa4ss n5au Tea
 And while on this, great Jubilee of American Independence. they Dour liba-