Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-07-05
I. HE GREAT HOLIDAY.
THE CENTENNIAL FOURTH or July.
CELEBRATION In THE CITY.
-He Oldest Inhabitants.
ryiees fn the Churchs
Usual List OF Ganpowder AccIder is


Usual List OF GanpOwder Accidents.
The first Centennial Fourth OF july was
generally observed in Washington 'oy our
who are not behind thoss, of any
other locality in their reverence for the ami
versary of our national Independence. The
main celebration was held by the Oldest In
habitants Association at Fords Opera
House. Another old fashioned celebration
OF the day was held At Baker1s Grove by the
residents of Mount Pleasant, and interest
ing celebrations were likewise held Ia the
Metropolitan Methodist and the First Goa
gregatiopal Church. Many citizens who de-
sired TO escape the heat aud noise OF the city
formed themteIves into picnic parties and
took to the woods," where they spent the
day quietly and pleasantly. Many ayailed
themselves OF the several excU rsicns
down the river and during the day aud
evening the various boats were crowded
with pleasure seekers. The executive de-
partments, as we'll as the District orsces and
banks, were closed during the day, and many
were gaily decorated with the flags OF all
nations. The newspaper offices, public sta
ton houses and engine houses, were all dec
GRATED extensively and in good taste. The
shooting OF cannoBs, pistols, crac kers, tor
peGoes, ETC., was Kept up with more than
usucl activity-(a list of the wounded boys
Is printed elsewherel-and at night there
was big display of fireworks all over the
District. The Centennial chimes and the
merry noon and night firing by Hahne.
mans artillery were among the noted noises
OF the day. Unfortunately the day was
marred by two homicides and another seri-
Gus shooting affair in and near the city, as
noted in our local columns.
An interesting detailed report of the csle-
braliOn at Mount Pleasant is crowded out
by the great pressure on our columns to.
day.
THE DECORATIONS OF THE POLICE STA
TONS,
by the lieutenants and officers, were a fea-
ture Of the general jubilee yesterday. Prom
tnent among these were the 5th, 9Th and 7th
stations. The 5th, located on 10th street,
above Pennsylvania ave-, was pronounced
by all 10 be the most tastefully decorated
house in the city. Two large American
banners draped the balcony across the front,
In the center OF which was placed q life-slze
bust oil painting of George Washington.
Over this was large shield with three mus
kets, In which were fixed bsyouets crossed
over the top, ard above this was fac simile
in frame of the Declaration OF Independence
surrounded with evergreen wreaths. Some
forty smaller flags, the colors OF all nations,
terspersed with small American flags, and
at regular intervals on the front were shields
Chinese lanterns and streamers were strung
below the ballustrade, and across the street
was suspended rope to which were suspend
ed over the center of the carriage way in
large block letters "Met. Police, 5th pre-
D.
around the gas lamp In front, made by a cir
cular gas pipe connected with the lamp
with twelve globes, which, when lighted 10
at night, displayed the decorations TO excel
lent advantage. The display attracted gen.
eral attention. The whole was the work of
the policemen at their own expense.
The 9TH precinct, Lieut.. Kelly, was taste
fully decorated with flags, streamers and Ian
terms, and was point OF attrsction in the
northeastern part of the city. When lighted
up the effect was very fine. The police
worked hard TO make fine display.
The sixth precinct station, on Massachu-
sets avenue, near 10th street, was very
attractive. II the center was the represent
alton of bel with the words "Centennial,
Liberty, 1s16, 1876" and beneath, MAY the
fires of liberty never grow dim, nor the bell
lose Its tone" Below was transparency
Inscribed, although a century has passed,
we forget not the patriots OF 1776." In gas
jets appeared July 4th, Union" and there
YVES profusion of lanterns, flags and ever
green's. The officers gave blow out last
nlght 70 thelr friends, treating all to lemon
ade, having Darrell full.
The fourth precinct station, X street, near
lOtb, was handsomely decorated with flags,
banners and Chinese lanterns, large dag
being In the top OF the building, and others
hung out with smaller flags, containing pOr-
traits OF the Presidents.
The first precinct, (South Wasbington.)
Lieut.. Gessford, was a lively place last
night. The decorations were elaborate and
tasteful. \ large number OF rockets aud
0ther fireworks were set of, aud regular
gala enjoyed by all in that neighborhOod.
The Oldest Inhabftants' Celebration.
tOlds opera house WAS the scene OF the
&c Iteration by the Oldest Inhabitants AS
ISOLATION at noon yesterday, aud there was
Il fair attendance. Old men predominated,
and ON tie stage were DIR. Blake, III. y Eas-
by, j II. Sem mes, F. b. Lord. G. A. Rohrer,
and n. Callan. In the audience there were
about fifty of the members present. among
mem Messrs; l. w: Ross, A. n. Zegely, p.
NJ. Pearson, j. c. Kenney, John Purdy. L.
Tree and Thos. Downing. After appropriate
music by the band. DIR. Blake, president of
the association, called the assemblags TO
orcer, and Mr. III. n. Easily was introduced,
and read the Declaration OF Independence.
THE GRAFTON BY MIR. GoBRIGHT.
Mr.. l.. A. Gobright, the orator of the occa-
sion, then delivered an address, promising
oy saying that II his friends should be dis
appointed in their selection OF an orator,
they could tacitly express their disapDroba-
lion by not repeating the compliment OF
seiectlng him 10 deliver the address on the
next Centennial celebration After giving
a brief history OF the Declaration of indie.
pendence, the orator, referring To the Amer
be said OF his predatory habits, and of the
Scnptural expression that sEwhere the car
cas- is there VIII the eagles be gathered to-
gether," he triumphs. He Is seen on the
seal OF the United States, the last-named
designed by committee consisting of Ran
amin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas
Jefferson.
Continuing he said: Gentlemen, our gov
eminent has such veueration for the proud
bird that IL has five fine live specimens IN
our own FranK Kiln square, In a cage for pub
lie admiration The eagle Is one OF our in
and therefore has our enforced
respect. The eagle, however, was not the
lnly symbol recognized by our ancestors
The ratllesnake was displayed on many of
heir banners. One OF the arrangements was
4 rattlesnake divided In thirteen parts with
Inc initial letters of the colonies TO each,
and the motto Unite or Die!' and another,
he rattlesnake, in the act Of striking. The
motto being, Don't tread on met The RAJ
lies were thirteen in number. This device.
stranger than that OF Excelsior was a
'avorite with the cOloDists, aud was meant
TO signify retaliation for the wrong upon
America:
The snake ready with his rattle,
To warning give Ui Coming battle"
Mr.. GObr1ght then sketcned the circuun-
stances under which the stars and stripes
were adopted, and the various alterations
made in the dag from time to time. II was
not until 1859, said the orator, that the gem
eTal or federal government went into full
operation. AT that time the population was
supposed TO be- three millions, but Ia the
eighty seven years past IL has, from various
caIses, increased TO forty millions. Tne
American eagle, which could fly over our
original country without stopping TO drink
Or 10 rest, finds that he cannot now, without
frequent stoppages on his course for refresh
ments, owing TO enlarged limits. accom-