The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-07-06
THE FOURTH IN HARRISONBURG.

| GRAND CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIoN-ENTH
PROGRAMME OF THE DAY-PATRIOTIC ORA
TION OF CAPT. JNO. PAUL-RoCKTNGIIAAI
PAST AND PRESENT : HER HISTORY N
LEGEND, IN RECORD AND IN MEMoRY-AN
OLD TIME FoURTH-ITEMs~ OF INTEREST
FROM THE TOWN AND COUNTY.
From our special correspondent
IIARRIsoNBURG, VA, l
July 4th. 1876. I
EDITORS .VIRGINIAN The "Centennia
Fourth'' is being very handsomely observed
here to-day. About 3 O'Clock this morning tho
patriotism OF our citizens manifested itself by
band of martial music parading the streets
at the same time all of the church bells and
the bells of the public buildings ringing, wills.
ties of different steam manufactures blowing
roaring of an anvil, there being no cannon tc
celebrate the occasion with, and large bon
fire burning in the Court House square. DAY.
light revealed the national bunting DISPLAYED
at many places in the town. Quite number
of citizens left on the 1880 train for Woodstock,
where [ learn q grand celebration is to be
held. At 8 O'Clock our streets were well filled
with citizens of the town and country, all
seemingly determined to have an old fashioned
fourth OF July. Tie business houses were ali
closed with the exception Of the drinking sa-
looms, drug stores and one or two of Father
land representatives. The anvil was again
brought into use at $50. Il national salute be
ing fired, the last shot being fired at 1915,
when Prof. Eshman's band, which was sta
toned in the Court House square, commenced
playing q series of national airs. After music,
the large crowd OF people assembled in the
Court House when the following programme
was followed:
l. Prayer by Rev. ]. Rice Bowman.
2. Music.
5. Reading of the Declaration of Tndepen-
dence by VIM. B. Stands, Esq.
f. Music.
8. Grafton and historical sketch of Rocking
ham, by Capt. john Paul.
6. Music.
7. Reading of Washington's farewell adj
dress, by Dr. j. Fl. Neff.
The Grafton and historical sketch of Rock
ingllam County, by Capt. Jno. Paul, occupied
about 40 minutes in delivery. 1t was mag
niicent address. l furnish you extracts from
it, fearing that full report would burthen
your columns. 1t is due Capt. Paul to say
that he had but a few days notice to prepare,
hence it is not as full as he would have other
wise made it. Capt. Paul said:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: The Centennial
Anniversary of the Declaration of American
10 UiiC tdy NC CclCDIato. Ono
hundred years ago this day the representatives
of the thirteen colonies in convention assem-
bed in the city of Philadelphia, declared i'm
the language OF the paper you have just heard
read, that 'these colonies are, and of right
ought to be, free and independent States. y
when the founders of this Republic trusting in
the justice Of their cause and the God who
rules in the armies of Heaven and among the
nations of the earth, boldly and fearessy
launched the ship of state on an untrIed sea-
frcighted with the hopes and the fortunes Of
three million people, and threw down the
grage OF battle to the most powerful nation on
the globe.
Then and there was announced in practical
form, for the first time, as the. fundamental
principles of free government the great politi-
ca nlaXims-''all men arc created equal. -
'that governments derive their just power
from the consent Of the governed.'' These
great political truths fonnd their first applca-
ton OIL the thnly populated and wild shores of
North America, as the basis of q government
that, in its rise and progress has no precedent
in all the nations, of all,time. 1t was 4 day
that marked new era in the political history
OF the world. The Magma Charta of personal
and political liberty promulgated that>day pre-
sented human rights in light never seen be-
fore, the influence OF which is not confined to
one continent or,two, but pervades the civili-