The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1876-07-15
The Fourth in LehightOn.

The morning of the 4th Of July-the
Centennial anniversary of American
acknowledgement bright and beau
tiful. Long before the peep o. day our
people were aroused from their slum-
bers by the report of guns and the rapid
and constant discharge of fireworks.
On passing through town, we found
that large majority of our people had
elaborately decorated their dwellings
with flags and banners. Among the
most attractiveiy decorated buildings
we may mention those of Thos. Kemer-
er, DR.. N. B. Reber, Hon. A. J. Durl-
ing, Lapry & Peters, Dan. Graver, the
Koch Brothers, Exchange Hotel, p. P.
SeRmel, Kusbaum g. Son, Helm s. Ger
man, O. W. Lentz, Carbon House, t.
D. Clauss, L. II. Snyder, p. 7. Brady,
Tnghman Arner, and others.
On the arrival of the 7;45 a. m. train
on the L. & S. road, came Coalfield
Council, o. U. A. NJ, of Summit Hill,
accompanied by the Continental Cornet
Band, of Ashton, the guests of Gnaden
Huetten Council, of this borough. The
line of parade was then formed on
Bank street, and moved in the follow
ing order
Chief Marshal and Aids.
Bows of '76, Uniformed, carrying Flag.
Orators IN Carriage.
Ashton Continental Cornet Band.
Coalfeld Council, .. U. A. NJ.
Gnaden Hqetten Council
Blue Ridge Council, Jr. o. U. A. Nj.
Weissport Council, p. o. :. Of A..
Metuchen Tribe, 232 Imp; o. OF H. M.
LehIgh HOOK ana Ladder co.
Base Ball Clubs.
Members of school Board and Citizens.
The line then moved oyer the follow
ing route
Down Bankway TO Weissport School House,
out School street to White, pp White and return
to LehightOn, up Bank 10 Longs countermarch.
ed down Bank to North, up North to second,
TONS to Ma6oning, out Mahonlns to Grove.
On arriving at the picnic grounds,
the exercises were opened with pray
er by Rev. John Darlington, of the
First Presbyterian Church, and then
Mr.. r. f. Hofford took the stand, and
introduced Hon. A. j. Durling who, in
very clear and distinct style read a
short historical sketch of the reception
of the Declaration of Independence by
the people in 1776, following with the
the Declaration itself, After which
W. NJ. Rapsher, Esq, was introduced,
ard delivered the following very able
and patriotic address
FKLl.ow CITIZENS s-Oue hundred years ago to-
day te Statesmen and master-spilits OF 1879 pl o.
claimed TO the world the great g Declaration OF
Independence" VIII rein they asserted, ana af.
terwards by force OF BIms successfully main
ougSt TO s1IS be ' Fee and Independent. It was a
supreme moment in the worlds history, when.
on that memorable day, they sOlemnly pledged
90 each OGher tneir lives. their fortunes and their
sacred honor 10 unitedly support ana snstain
the sublime principles lald d wn IN that mmor-
tai document. As ou all know, that pledge Of
our fOrefathers in defence OF their rights was no
idle resolve. Il was not the work nor did Il
have the significance of the action Of a POLITICAL
convention a century later The Declaration OF
INDEPENDENCE required much more than votes
and grahd resolutions to give 1t value and effect
The history OF the great struggle which follow
ed during eight long aud trJ ing years. shows
that all these severe demands upon the noble
founders Of our Republic were freely epnphed
with. At last victory pro1dly perchBd upon
the banners Of the gallant army which fought
f0I freedom and equal rights-a nation was born
and the principles OF the Declaration Of Inde-
pendence became recognized realities. We are
TO honor and commemorate the one hqndredth
anniversary Of the day when the great princl.
pies of freedom and equal rights Was conceived
and proclaimed TO the races Of mankind, and
when monarchy and oppression were boldly re
sisted. Tie Fathers Of the Republic cane out
Of the unequal contest victorious, because the
principles for which they oOntended were etern
ally right and must finally everywhere prevail
We need not look lar Tor the proof OF this fact
when we remember now recently the great EN-
plre Of Ffanee was overthr0wn, and how her
pies OF free 1Om found III a republican form Of
government And this is by no means an $50
lated case where the indications are visible
Spain, more than any other, the country oi