Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-07-06

eral Point; though, owing to cele-
brations being had il. all neighbor-
ing villages Of the county, the num-
Der of people here was not so great
as by some expected.
The day was ushereG in immedi-
ately after II, midnight,by the ring
ing of all bells in the tty, cannon
firing and other demonstrations.
About sunrise thirteen shots from
six pound cannon rolsed the last
sleeper and fairly opened the day.
Before 10 o'clock the streets were
thronged with people, and resound-
ing with torpedoes, tire-crackers,
pistols, and other 4th f July noises.
At 1880 the procession was formed
per published programme, under
Marshal GRADER. During lifetime
in Mineral Point, we have not known
SO imposing a procession to parade
our streets. TO the military and
civic societies was tlis due for
were it not for them tits more than
likely that the procession would
have been like many ther attempts,
failure. 70 form the citizens into
q procession seems utterly imprac-
ticable-all being SO eiger to see the
parade that they pe'sist always in
taking position on ths sidewalks in
stead of in the line, just us they did
on this occasion. 2hi feature of the
procession was the ar containing
13 young ladies representing the
original states Of the Union, pre-
pared under the direction of en-
Mayor Cooper. 1t WAS admired 10y
all as display of tasteful ingenuity.
At the grove the exercises were
highly appropriate anu creditable to
all taking part. Thesingipg Of those
grand old national airs, "Amelica"
and "Star Spangled Banner" by the
choir under the lead of Professor
Osborne, and the playing Of Hail
Columbia" by tho land, stirred the
patriotism of all listeners. 1t was
the universal verdid that the reading
of the Declaration Df Independence,
by p. Allen, Jr., has never been ex-
celled, if ever equnlled, in Mineral
Point. If the siglers of that won
derful instrument are privileged in
the spirit world to note the things of
earth, they must have been con-
vinced by the earnestness and pathos
of the reader on this occusion, that
| patriotism and love OF country have
not lessened in a century Of time.
The Grafton by Judge Cothren was
a departure from the beaten track of
4th of July haranghes. In this par
ticular was it especially meritorious
The day of spread-eagle bragadocio
has gone by; something OF differ
ent character is demanded, and when
found fully appreciated. The cen
trail idea of the Judges oration was,
that to insure tie perpetuity and
prosperity of the country the people
must learn to "gbvern themselves"
take more interest in public affairs,
and leave less room for designing,
ambitious demagogues to usurp pow
ers belonging to the people. It's
brevity and graceful closing humor
were other commendable features Of
the effort.
1 The parade of the mystic knights
IN the afternoon was the most clab-
crate in arrangement, and happy in
conception, Of any we have ever seen.
To describe each turnout would re-
quire more space and time than we
have to spare. Sufft:e it to say that
TO suggest Improvement is impossi-
bic for US. The ''bits" were pointed
and rnirth-provolling, yet all so hap
PLY made as to give DO oiense to
the parties and ideas characterized.