Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-07-07
The Procession large and Decorations
Beautiful.

The celebration of the one hundrcth an
niversary Of our country's independence in
Tontogany, Tuesday last, was introduced
by the firing of cannon, explosion of fire
crackers, ringing of bells, and in all the
many ways that truly patriotic, and liber
tY-loving people could manifest their regard
for the memorable event. Even the heav-
ems seemed to recognize the feeble effort
Of man to evince his feeling in noise, and
with its heaviest artillery made the air shiver
with crash upon crash, as token ofappre-
citation of his endeavor. 1t augured no
good, however, to the further exercises Of
the day as it was accompanied by heavy
rain that made Wood county roads appear
most forbidding, but, as
"God moves in n mysterious way
His wonders to perform
they had the benefit tf the heavenly ord
nance at the proper time and, before the
other exercises in which all we're deeply
interested took place, Old Soils bcnignant
countenance was seen, dispclling the gloom
and with the exception of the muddy roads,
the day was all that could be desired
Tontogany presented lively appearance
the streets and business houses we're hand
somely decorated. The most noticeable
feature in the way of street decoration be-
ing triRnphal arch passing over Main
street, atthe railroad crossing, Of evcrgrccns
and flags The Tontogany Cornet Band
discoursed music from early morn until the
arrival of large delegations from Perrys-
burg and other townships along the D. & NJ.
at $50 A. NJ, when the Arion Band, of this
place joined them.
At $50 the procession formed headed by
the bands of music, followed by officers Of
the day and the Bowling Green Fire Com.
pany, after which came chariot drawn by
twelve horses containing ladies carrying
banners representing the different States OF
the Union, the Goddess of Liberty being
personated by Miss Hattie Warner, citizens
IN carriages and on foot followed until they
arrived at the Fair Grounds.
uG dcotuiblN Nho Chlltu W OTutT DO
President Tulleri and grand chorus OF
from one to two hundred voices accompa.
MED with three organs, made the grove re-
sound with, My country It's of thee, after
which Rev. Taylor, of Tontogany, invoked
Divine blessing upon the exercises, as fol.
lows:
Almighty and eternal Jehovah, we adore
Thee ma our fathers God and our God the
lord over all l. irds and King over all Kings,
Ruler of all nations, God blessed forever.
With loving and grateful hearts we come
to-day, expressing our debt of infinite OBJ
legations 10 Thee for all Thy favors shown
to this nation during the past century OF
its existence, and invoking Thy favors for
oil time to come.
Il Is truly befi;ting that we observe
this the anniversary of the birthday of our
political history, and that we this day re-
count the noble DARN Is of that heroic
band Of patriots, who ore hundred years
ago this day declared this free and indie.
pendent nation.
It is truly beftting that we call TO mind
the courage, the hardships and the suffer.
ings of the soldiers Of the Revolution, 10
many of whom laid down their lives upon
the alter OF their country.
We praise Thee that Thou didst give to
us our immortal Washington aud his
wise and brave counselors, and also for
those noble and heroic women of the Rev.
olution. We praise Thee for those cheer
ing rays OF light which Thou didst shed
across the pathway of our armies in those
days OF deepest darkness; for the success
full battles OF Lexington, Bunker Hill,
Trenton, Princeton and Yorktown; for the
surrender of Burgoyne and Corvallis; for
defeating the nefarious scheme OF the traitor
Arnold, and thus saving to us our West
Point. We thank Thee that the winds
and the storIns so often and 30 signally ia
vored our cause, breaking in pieces the heets
of our enemies, and placing barriers be-
hind our retreating armies. Truly Thou
didst fight for Washington. To-day our
glad hearts praise Thee for the final tri-
mmph OF our armies in that fearful strng-
gle Of the Revolution, and in all the sub
s,q1ent wars in which We have unhapplly
engaged.
we thank Thee to-day for all that pros.
perity which Thou hast given to this nation
during the century of its existence. We
thank Thee for our modes OF travel, our
commerce, our agricultural and mechanical
improvements; for our labor-saving ma
chinery in the house, the shop and the
field; for our schools, our precious Bible,
our holy Sabbaths, and our sanctuaries;
for free press, free speech, and free relig-
ion for our precious homes, and that we
are to-day at peace among ourselves and
with all nations Of the earth.
May Thy blessings continue to rest upon
all the States Of this great nation. We
thank Thee that hitherto not one star has
been blotted from our banner, but that we
have added star after star ill we number
our full thirty and eight, so beautifully
represented to-day around our Goddess OF
Liberty. We thank Thee that the torn,
tattered, war-worn Gags are wound up, and
the beautiful stars and stripes wave over
all our goodly land.
Bless our President and his eounselors,
onr Congress, aud our army aud navy.
May our nation be even more marked by
divine power during the coming than II
has been during the past century. Bless
our Centennial and the more than thirty
naiions there represented. Ashley come
from near and from far and look upon
each others faces, may they learn war no
more, but a spirit u love and brotherhood
prevail sFeiyshsie. pless the youth Of