The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-07-06
prom Wednesday, Daily)
THE FOURTH In AUSTIN.
WHAT WAS DONE AND WHO DID IT.
Music, Orations and Presentation
in the Capitol, and festlW-
ties at Turner Hall.
The coIored peoples Barbecue, etc.

The Fourth was ushered in early yestsr-
day morning by the firing of caDnons and
anvils, the ringing Of church bells, and
by music from Herzogs excellent band,
which had been engaged for the early hours
by the butchers Of the Pecan street estab-
lishment. Even as early as SIX o'clock
there was unusual activity in the city, and
as the morning advanced, people poured in
from the country, and by ten o'clock. Aus
tin was alive with people, all evidently re-
joicing that they had lived to see the
country's one hundredth anniversary cele-
bration. On the morning train came more
than two hundred colored people from
towns below on the Central to join their
race here in carrying out their part of the
days programme for the grand centennial
celebration, and every road leading to the
city Was lined with people, black and white,
coming to town in vehicles and on horse
back. There was no procession, but the
Travis Rifles formed in line ut their armory,
marched up the Avenue to the Capitol, and
were there inspected by Gen. Steele and
Governor Coke. The two colored military
companies also made display in the streets
and finally marched out to the barbecue
grounds, where the colored people assem-
bled in large numbers to celebrate the day
by themselves.
AT THE CAPITOL.
At ten o'clock the hall of the House was
thronged aud many more than were in its
portals were denied access to the floor and
galleries. Above the Speakers stand were
arranged selections of rare flowers, pIo-
ducts of the hot houses Of the Capitol
grounds. There was never a brighter day
and never did the faces of old patriots
whose portraits adorn the walls on either
side of the Speakers chair look down more
benignantly on an assembly in the Capitol
Delightful music was made by Herzog's
band, and this, as we'll as patriotism evolved
of the occasion, attracted every pretty
woman Of the capital and countless visitors,
families and friends OF Senators and Rep
resentatives. 1t was a red letter day in the
history of Austin, and those who live after
us will not have forgotten inspiring incl
dents of yesterday when another Bell and
another Kinney pronounce eloquent ora
tions and read the Declaration of Indepen-
dence when another centennial day of
American freedom, If IT ever recur, dawns
upon us.
Speaker Bonner mounted his rostrum at
0:45, and said that gentlemen will now va
cate their seats that ladies may occupy
them. We record this remark because,
when the next Centennial celebration oc-
ours, the blessed women, having recovered
their rights, in the territories and elsewhere,
will ask no such favors, but having, will
dare maintain, their rights to do as they
please on such civic, festive and patriotic
occasions. 1t may be we'll to state that for
the properly regulated conduct of the vast
concuurse we were indebted to the active in
tervention of Senator Stephens and Repre-
sentative Adams of O. manche, the Attorney
General now and then coming to their aid.
The portrait of Gen. Tom Green was placed
before the Speakers stand, when occupied
by DR.. Graham president of the day.
He announced the order of events and the
ceremonies of the occasion were begun by
fervent prayer by Rev. DR.. Wright. Mr..
Kinney read the Declaration of Gndepen-
dence in clear, distinct tones, and was rev.
erently listened 10 by the great throng and
then after the grand old ode, 'Hail Coum-
bia" was sung by an excellent choir, Judge
al oai1 that fpo nf lNn.. Al i,.nl
recitation, such as he was expected
to make, he would speak OF the
great event which we proposed to celebrate.
He portrayed ut length, and with effective
eloquence and feeling, the majesty of our
country-its grandeur, glorious memories
aud greatness. Hewas eloquent, and often
impassioncd. He spoke of the country as
it should be, and as he would have it,
whether as it is becomes an inquiry earn
estly discussed at this hour by every par
tisan newspaper and party leader in all this
broad land. Judge Bells allusion to the
death OF Adams and of fferson, and his
definition OF their worth, was adm rable,
even as he touched every heart when he
old men on the fourth of July, 1926, just
fifty years after they signed the Declare
ton, and just fifty years ago. Was it not
while these two men were dying that La
FayetSe was depositing in its place the
corner stone of Bunker Hill monument,
when an Grafton was pronounced by Daniel
Webster that will be read and reread and
admired even after that monumental pile
has crumbled and fallen3 Judge Bells de-
tnition Of the characters aud virtues of
Webster, Clay and Houston was admirable,
and listened tn with earnest interest. At
the close of his address there were univer-
sal expressions of admiration of the orator,
and Of every patriotic sentiment that fell
from his lips.
HoSoRs TO- THE MEMORY OF eES. TON GREEN.
Governor Coke, Speaker Bonner, Lieuten-
nant Governor Hubbard, President pro tenn.
Thompson of the Senate. DIR. Wright and
DIR. Graham occupied the Speakers stand
when the Senate entered the hall of the
House in body. Mr.. Sayers addressed
the two houses and presented in an eloquent
and gracefully pronounced Grafton the por-
trait of Gen. Tom Green, painted with won
dIous skill by the excellent artist, Mr.. Nor
ton, OF this city. Mr., Sayers's address
aud biographical sketch Was prepared
with in6nite care, constituting an admira.
BILE history of the life and times
and deeds of Gen. Green Il should be
printed by order OF tho Legislature, and,
with the Grafton Of Governor Hubbard &C
ccp,ing the painting, filed among the
archives OF the "Republicn to be evoked
one hundred years hence, and re-reAd, that
a nerfect exemplAr Of the virtues Of perfect