Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1876-07-05

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readiness for grand old-fashioned
celebration Of the 4th, and in full
filling the programme everybody
seemed to join heart and hand, de-
termined to make the affair grand
success. On the 3rd our citizens
occupied the entire day in appro-
priately decorating their places of
business and houses, and raising
poles on which to float the starry
banner to the breeze, and when
night came everything was in order
for grand time on
THE FOURTH.
The day opened with a cloudy
horizon, and appearances indicated
that the day would not be as fair
as might be desired by our people.
The usual salute was fired at sun
rise,-a six-pound brass piece hav-
ing been brought from Mackinac
for the occasion,-and thus the fes-
tivities of the day opened, under q
cloudy sky.
The steamer Dove having arrived
at very early hour, the reception
of guests from abroad was neces-
sarily dispensed with. There were
many strangers in town, and
the streets were fairly alive with
people filed with patriotic emotion,
The review of the fire depart
ment at $50, by the Common Coun-
Gil, was magnificent, and elected
the attention of q large concourse
of people.
The grand procession commence
ed forming at 8 o'clock, and with
great promptness those taking part
in the exercises were in line and
ready for the march. The process
sion was under the command Mai.
Thos. III. Hunt, and was composed
of the East Tawas Band, the Alpe-
ma Guards, Thunder Bay Chapter of
Royal Arch Masons, Alpena Lodge
of Odd Fellows, German Aid Socie-
ty, Father Van Ginnip's Society,
Alpena Cornet Band, Alpena Fire
Department, Grand Car with the
Goddess of Liberty, and a repre-
sentative of each State of the
Union, Choir of children, Alpena
Clergy, Board of Supervisors, and
County officers, Alpena ARGUS
Printing Office, Willie & O'Brien's
Shoe Shop, Levyn's Cigar Manufac-
tory, Maser's Cigar Mandatory,
Stones Music and Sewing Machine
store, Rodman's Dry Goods store,
Gebhardt q Cos Sash and Blind
Factory, followed by citizens, etc.
The procession moved through
the principal parts of the city, re-
ceiving cheers as it passed along,
and about eleven o'clock came to q
halt at the skating rink, where the
speaking was to take place. The
people gathered within the rink,
while the representatives of the
various trades dispersed, and the
arrangements were soon completed
for the exercises ut this point. At
the rink, the first in order was
music by the band, and then Mr..
S. e. Hitchcock, the President of
the Day. announced the Centennial
Hymn, by the choir, which was re-
ceived with loud applause by the
crowded house. Then the Presi-
dent announced the prayer by Rev.
w. w. Rafter, which was as follows:
O, God, Whose name is excellent
in all the earth, and Thy glory above
the heavens; Who, as on this day
didst inspire and direct the hearts
of our delegates in Congress to lay
the perpetual foundations of peace,
liberty, and safety; we bless and
adore Thy glorious Majesty for this
Thy kindness and providence. And
we humbly pray that the devout
sense of this signal mercy may re-
new and increase in us spirit of
love and thankfulness to Thee, its
only author, a spirit of peaceable
submission to the laws and govern
ment of our country, and spirit
of fervent zeal for our holy religion,
which Thou hast preserved and
secured to us and our prosperity.
May we improve these inesteemable
blessings for the advancement of
Religion, Liberty and Science,
throughout this land, till the will
derness and solitary place be glad
through us, and the desert re-
ioice and blossom rs the rose. o,
God, who art the blessed and only
Potentate, the King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords; the Almighty
Ruler of nations; we adore and
magnify Thy glorious name for all
the great things which Thou hast
done for us. We render Thee
thanks for the goodly heritage
which Thou hast given us +; for the
civil and religious privileges which
we enjoy; and for the multiplied
manifestations of Thy favor to-
wards us. Grant that we may
show forth our thankfulness for
these Thy mercies, by living in
reverence Of Thy Almighty power
and dominion in humble reliance
on Thy goodness and mercy, and
in holy obedience to Thy righteous
laws. Preserve, we beseech Thee,
to our country, the blessings of
peace /; restore them TO nations de-
privod of them aud securo them