The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1876-07-15

hCi tiSpOSCu ~ iUO IL, WHY .
we resolved to do it AlOne-if it
took lis all Summer. Being Il free
American citizen, we felt IL OuI
duty to do something on this
great Natal day. So early in the
forenoon we left Our peactable
home with Il quite bran new cot
ton umbrella under one arm and
Il copy OF the Declaration under
the other. on our way to the
Bridge fully determined to carry
out our plans. Going up Main
Street we passed the JHion Office.
At Il first glance we thought it
was the ''nobIe stars and stripes"
we saw hanging from the balcony
and we were on the point of rush
ing up the stairs into the editors
sanctum and grasp that mysteri
Gus individual by the hand,in our
Joy We might have even shaken
hands with the ''devil" Muis, at
a second look at tie thing dissuad
ed us ; patriotic as We are. it was
utterly impossible for us to even
cheer that faded and torn piece of
rag which made yaln efforts TO
float upon the breeze, iiurriedly
we glanced backward over the
thread OF oar vAliegatei and reck
less life endeavoring all the while
to remembeG where we had seen
that Object in the past; twas
useless, we never had seen it be
iore-tlOr amy one else for that
matter, since it proved 10 be a
"Hayes y W1leelei'' or in other
words 'Repub!ican Party Flag"
As we gazed at its dropping folds
and orhe!d 1t huttering on the
ragged edge Of Uespair". as it
were, we could not help but note
the striking resemblance it bore
to the party which it pretended
to represent. DiSrusted at the
deception and with i great deal OF
enthusiasm Knocked out OF MS.
We continued orr way to the
bridge ; once there, We took our
stand near the toll gate, opened
our sun and rain protector, utl-
rolled the document and read it
alond over and over again until
we became quite hoarse. AS the
passengers came across one by
one we accosted them and Stake
these words, "My friend, to day
Is the Fourth Of July, 1876! This
day a hundred years ago our
toreiathcrs threw aside the woke
OF their British masters, and de
cIAEpd themselves free men! This
day Il hundred years ago the old
crlcNti bell which now stands in
independence Hall at philadel
phla rang ont the glad tidings of
Iiherty! To-day, all over this
bod vast land the bells are toll
ing the same sweet notes from
the Granite Hills OF New uamp
shire. from the beautiful smiling
valleys OF Virginia, from the far
OF Oregan whose shores are
washed by The mighty waters Of
The Pacific, the sound is re echoed
back to the green verdant plains
OF Texas !" Now and then we
threw up our old beaver and
shouted, ''Rah Tor t,le Fourth ~
Not even an echo broke the calm
stiffness OF the dull day. About 6
Z, NJ, tired, hungry. miserable
and perfectly disputed, we retrac
Ell oar steps bomeWard. We had
gone but Il short distance when
we met an old darkie with a large
sack on his shoulder and a bottle
OF spirits sticking out of his left
pocket. We determined to make
Il final effort.
Here WAS our last chance. We
stopped him and sad ON
TREND DO yon know what great
day this is p ''Yes. ser! Dis is
de day gineril Grant looked Wis.
burg !" At last, we had found a
true Patriot, and the discovery
sent a thrill of sublime pleasure
through onr whole anatomy. Cau
tlonsly we drew from the DEPTHS
OF Our pocket q nickel. Gently we
put 1t III his open palm. kindly
We placed our hands upon his ven
cradle head, swee;ly into his ears
we spoke these soothing words:
My friend. you are growing old.
silver threads appearamong YOUR
messy hair, slowly you are drop
ping from the vine of life, a with
ered branch ; Soou You will be
III the cold silent tomb. where
no mention more of you is made
no monument will rear its proud
to tell the rising generation
OF thy noble sentiments. But old
man, you shall never fade from
hegalleIy of our memory in the
comnilng years as the philosophi
cal frog sings his cheerful evening
Tmn AMI tn, .l