Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-06-01
HOW LANCASTER WILL OELE-
BRATE.
How 1876 wnI shake Hand. With 1876,

In December last, Mr. John S.
Campbell, Secretary of the National
Centennial Commiss IN, issued cir.
cular containing the following sug-
gestions:
alt seems proper that the local cell
ebrations of the Fourth of July, 1876,
which will be held throughout the
land should be made TO contribute to
a permanent historical memorial of
the Centennial Gel bration. In each
comfy provision should be made for
the delivery of an address tracing
the history Of that particular con
munity for the pas century, or from
the time of its settlement, and in
Guiding sketch OF is growth, its re-
sources, industries, prospects, etc
These addresses should DO published
in a uniform size-that of tho Con-
gressional documents, for instance
in order that they may be bound to-
gether by the States. To competent
persons the preparation Of such ad-
dresses would not be an unduly bur-
densome task but in the aggregate
they would constitute an invaluable
historical repository such as no ma
ton ever had the opportunity-to col
lect. Designations of the historians
ought to be made without delay, in
order that they may have time to
accomplish their work. 1t is to be
hoped that the press will give general
circulation to the project, and that
each journal will see to its consum-
nation in its own locality, and that
tho slight expense involved be as
sumed by the county or town au-
thorities."
In March the Senate and House of
Representatives passed joint reso-
luton recommending that the people
assemble on the 4th of July and do
as hero suggested, which resolution
has been supplemented with procla-
nations by the President of the
United States aud by the Governor
of Wisconsin,.
1t is nine years since there has
been county celebration in Grant.
Lancaster is the place TO hold such
celebration, and Lancaster people
are not much given to the gala-day
spirit. Bat IL would be, in the fu-
ture, cause for regret if the ono
hundrcdth anniversary Of American
Independence shonld pasa unnoticed
in Lancaster. If we can have snch
a celebration az is here recommend
eG it will BE- putting tho day TO un-
usually good account. The people
will have the usual enjoyment out of
it themselves, and by perpetuating
the particulars Of their own exis-
lance may render an incalculable
amount of pleasure to those who may
follow them centuries hence.
We presume it is intended that
there shall be the ordinary accom-
payments Of 18th of July ceIebra>
ton. The day will be nshered in by
the roar of cannon. Bands of music
will play on the streets and in the
public square. Orators will recount
to us the deeds of Revolutionary he
roes. The Red, White and Blue and
other patriotic songs will be sung by
trained voices. Feme nine. beauty
may personify the sisters of the Re-
public, and boys will keep up the
clatter of paper artillery, while the
night will be made brilliant with py-
rotechnic display. But il appears
to be intended by those who are
leading in the movement that the
main object shall be to mako a rec
ord OF Grant County past and pres
ont for the benefit of Grant county
future. The strong box spoken of else
where is to hold this record. What
it shall be is of great Importance but
its greatness may indeed be made up
of very little things. We know no
reason why any citizen of Grant
county might not have the privilege,
subject to the discretion ola proper
committee, of depositing in that box
his photograph with Il brief outline
of his family history. Photographs
even of buildings and accounts of the
business carried on in them would
not be improper. These would be
wonderful curiosities to the people
of 1876. The treasures dug up out
of our curiously wrought, old-fash-
toned box would be as valuable to
them as the busts, fabrics and cabi-
nets now dug out OF tho streets of
Pompeii are to the people of the
world Of the present century. The
known history of tho different settls>
ments of the county should be p!ac
cd in the box, as matter of course.
1t is proposed to invite the societies
of the different orders-Masons Odd
fellows, Good Templars, Changers
and otherF. With this in view they
should have prepared brief histories
of their formation and their records
down to the present time. If they
cannot come in bodies they can
come in delegations. Churches also,
should prepare and send or bring to
the committees whatever record
they wish thus to perpetuate.
This much we have written that
the people may have some concep>
ton of what is intended. Much
more might be said. A meeting is
called for this evening to consider
the matter and set the ball in mo-
ton