Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-07-05
The Centennial Fourth.
Howit was observed in water.own

In paying proper tribute to the
Centennial Fourth of July, Watertown in
her celebration yesterday was adequate to
| the important task. The weather was all
that could be desired for the season, clear,
! pleasant and warm without being sultry.
! The day was ushered in by the ringing of
bells, firing of caDons, &c By early morn
ing our streets were astir, and the residents
| from the surrounding country came pour
| ing in, oil anxious to witness the ceebra-
ton and drink from enthusiasm with our
citizens. Main street presented beaut
full appearance with its Innings of green and
the flags and streamers that waved ia proud
defiance from the buildings. From all the
principal buildings the American flag was
flying, and in all parts of the city our citi-
zens bad decked their residences with the
starry emblems, thus showing by their acts
that they possessed the true spirit of the oc-
cason and were proud Of their American
citizenship. Such general tribute to the
flag could not but be interpreted IS denot-
ing undying loyalty to the nation. At 10
O'Clock A. NJ. the vicinity of Turner Hall
was the scene of great activity and excite
ment, being the point at which the pro-
cession was to form After the proper
| time had elapsed for getting things in order
| the procession formed and was soon taking
| uplts line of march according to the pro-
gramme. The procession was the longest
| ever seen here, and its arrangement was
complete in all particulars. In the cos
tuning of the different characters presented
great pains had been taken and in every
| instance true delineatiou was rendered.
The display in the procession of products
OF manufacturers was more meagre than it
should have been, and Watertown could
have done herself more justice in this re-
spect. The two fire companies with their
beautiful steamers, surmoanted with bril-
liant floral decorations, made a splendid
display, and were greatly admired. The
Phoenix boys with their Silsby machine
came out in their new and beautiful uoi-
ferns for the first time, showing fl ne ap-
pearance by the side of their gully dressed
comrades of the Pioneer Company. After
parading the streets the procession moved
up 10 Richards Grove that enchanting
Yia oof1r dc, L. 4,
First Ward. where the exercises had been
appointed to be held. In the grove iv-
ing mass of humanity was gathered, fair
estimates making the number of people as
sembled on the grounds at from 1000 to
5000. The grand stand was occupied by
| members of the committees, speakers, Off
GERS of the day and singers, which latter
| included several hundred children from the
| public schools. The exercises opened with
the singing of the National hymn, s'Our
| Country 'Tis of Thee" and words cannot
describe the grand effec given by this glor-
ious hymn, when rendered on an OCCASION
like this by hundreds of voices mingled
| with inspiring mu sic. Next an impressive
prayer wss made by Rev. Mr.. Hendrickson
OF the Congregational Church. The declar
alton was read by Mr.. w II. Rohr in
clear and district manner, after " hich came
singing and then the Grafton by Rev.
Myron W Reed, of Milwaukee. 1t would
be impossible tor US to do justice to this ad-
dress in any review we would give of it,
and hence We publish good portion of it
elsewhere. We will say, however, that We
| never saw speaker that rivited the atten-
tioE OF vast audience with more success
than he did. But great deal is lost in the
Grafton by not hearing the words come
from the lips of the speaker himself. Every
word and gesture from him denotes the true
orator The address made a dee D impress
sion, and was received with marked Salts
faction by all present. The German speak
er from Milwaukee having failed to appear,
Mr.. Vim. Soubron, Of the Milwaukee Her.
old, was substituted at the last moment and
read an original poem ID German, appro-
pirate to tie day and occasion. Mr. Sou
bron's lmpromptu effort aroused the en-
thnsiasm of bis hearers, and the speaker
| closed amidst rounds of applause. A mag
nifcent display of Ere works in the even
ing. surprising in extent and variety any
thing of the kind heretofore attempted
here, closed the festivities of the day.
| From first to last the celebration was
| grand success, rejecting great credit on the
ability, patriotic motives and determination
of all concerned in it. Yesterday was
proud day for Watertown, and it was shown
with unerring certainty that she possesses
the right spirit and impulses when called
into action. Our citizens, one and all, may
well feel just pride in the manner the Gen.
tennial Fourth of July, the proudest day
in our history, was observed among us, and
its recollectiens will always find pleasant
place in our MEMORIES.
| john Thompson.
Next Saturday evening, July 9Th, Mr.
! John Thompson supported by the SUPERIOR