Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-05-16
The Centennial 9Th OF July.


SHALL IT BE CELEBRATED IN WASHING
TON?
Editor Stdr:-The one hundredth birthday
OF nation is conceded to be q great event
and II is q fact somewhat generally known
that ours occurs on the 4th July next.
Preparations for its celebration ON an ex-
authorities of every e village, town and c ds
In the land, and yet Washington, the capt.
tai OF the nation, with its 135 900 Inhabitants,
has not yet taken tie first step In that direc-
ton.
The cause OF this delay IL 10 be found In
the anomalous position occupied by the Dis
trict. We, its citizens, have TO plead for
privileges what elsewhere are demanded as
rights. No doubt the Commissioners Of tue
District would be willing to expend some of
monstration, but their hands are tied, they
have no fund upon which they are authorized
to draw, and without Congress comes toour
aid with their kind permission to permit as
fit of gushing, generous patriotism some of
Uncle Samuels, we shall know of the Gem
teDnial OF the nation only from what we
learn of Its celebration elsewhere.
Now, Will not Congress authorize or make
an appropriation at once for this desirable
purpose? II they so desire. let them ap-
point a committee consisting of, say two
Senators and five Representatives., together
with the honorable Commissioners of the
District, who shall have entire control OF
the exercise and expenditures. Let us
have q military display of all the United
States soldiers and marines accessible, to.
gether with the volunteer soldiers and va
rious societies OF the District. Let us have
an Grafton by one of Americas most gifted
sons. Invite the President to preside. Read
10 us the glorious Declaration of Independ-
ence. Invite the singing societies of the Dis
trtct TO organize, and sing our national an
TEENS and such other appropriate music as
may be determined upon. Invoke the aid of
Bry ant or Longfellow for grand national
pos m. Decorate the CITY literally with flags
and bunting; light the tholus over the dome
OF the Capitol with an electric light, which
could be seen for miles around-this can
be easily done by the aid of the power
full electric batteries now on the prem.
ises; and crown the whole with the boom
ing of cannon and the illumination of
the public buildings, hotels and dwellings,
and magnificent display of fire WORKS
which could be made as heretofo re on
like occasions, at the arsenal, and at n
comparatively small expense. No one will
question that Washington ought to and
must have celebration of the coming 18th of
July worthy of the occasion and the federal
position it occupies.
In common with Americans everywhere,
our citizens desire to express their thanks to
Almighty God for preserving our nation in
pros perity unto its one hundredth birth day
and to give expression 10 these feelings in a
manner somewhat similar to the plan here
with indicated. Will Congress permit it
while there is yet time to make the neces-
sary preparations? They can RELY upon IL
that our citizens will gladly CO. operate with
them in any manner they desire. VINO will
hrst move the patriotic and acceptable fRes-
OlutiOn?" and all honor be his?
May 18th, 1876. SEMI-OCCASION