The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1877-07-11
ruE N nEnrrx.


the FOURTH IN BERLlS.
The one hundred and first birth day Ul
our national independence was celebrated
by the people OF Berlin and vicinity with
magnificent pomp and splendor. Ike pa
triotic spiri, Of the Centennial ycaf still
prevails in the highest degree among all
CLASSES OF our citizens. The old and
young joining with each other in ascfib-
ing praise and thanksgiving 10 The illus
trlous founders OF our free institutions.
The preparations which had been made
for the proper observance of this glorious
day, far exceeded anything in magnitude
and design ever witnessed in this section
of the Stale. The decorations OF the main
streets OF town, consisting. in part, OF
arches, pyramids, ~fesloonings OF yer
green's, japanese lanterns, all literally
covered with bunting and the national
coiors. and last but by mo means least.
the ever Iiemor able Fourth I'll July LlU
cE,y pole With us majestic crown oi ever
greens towering lar above everything
around il, all combined 10 adj enthusiasm
TO the festivities OF the day. AT early
dawn The finishing touches were placed
upon the general decorations, while msay
OF our citizens were dressing their private
dwellings in gorgeous array. Then lr
gan the people pouring into tow n
IRON avery sec j u OF he country.
Soine arrived on io,t, otherS on horse
back. la buggies, wasons drawn by Ion
horses. soilie by siA aud others by eight.
and long ere lie iionr of nine had arrived
the appearance was OF u sea OF living human
beings. The Sunday Schools Of the neigh
borhood arrived in delegations which
were met at the ou'ssirts OF town and
escorted BIZ the band to their designated
places in the grand procession. Every
Sunday School in the whole vicinity wa
thus represented, several of them present
ing q nne appearance with the wagons
decorated with exquisite taste.
While The work Of forming all he yari=
GUS Schools into line was in progress, the
~masqueraders made their appearance on
the street and entertained the impatient
multitude with their diversions. When
the hour OF ten had arrived, the time
previously designated, the grand pageant,
under command of Capt. Albert Hefiley,
Chief Marshall OF the day, preceded by
the Berlin Brass Band. began moving in
military order up Main street towards the
Grove. This was the culmination OF the
grand and imposing demonstration OF the
day. We scarcely know how to attempt a
description which would do the effort tuli
justice. Suffice it to say however that the
procession was one mile in length, reach
ing from one end OF town TO the other.
The number OF persons in lille was estimat-
ell by competent judges at three thousand.
Everything which has any significance in
the proper observance OF ouI natal day
was represented. The GODDESS OF Liberty,
Uncle SIM, the Rsi MN of the forest,
and Young America in his full glory. At
ter the procession arrived in the grove the
military order which had been strictly OBJ
served, was dispensed with, and every
body was free and independent. An
organization was affected By the election
OF Rev. IL. L. keener, President ; d.. a.
Brubaker and Augustus Floto, Vice Presi-
dents John Rumel, Secretary. Prof. John
Brubaker OF Carthage. H., offered the
prayer. The address of welcome by the
President, was full OF Fourth OF July, and
was well received. That sacred and ever
memorable document which declares that
all men are created free and equal, was
read by Prot. j. b. Whipkey. Hon. w.
III. kooniZ. the orator of the day was
then introduced to the vast multitude who
had crowded around the speakers stand
anxiously awaiting his appearance. The
General struck out into new fields Of
thought, making his address (Which was
the most eloquent We ever heard him
deliver full OF wholesome advice, radical
~ different from the Old stereotyped ora
tons usually heard. IN such occasions.
The hour for dinner having arrived, the
vast crowd around the stand dispersed, TO
partake of the refreshments which had
been prepared with a bountiful hand. Tie
multitude aas fed, and they took up OF
the fragments that remained twelve
baskets full" The afternoon was spent
in the grove in innocent amusement. The
report that the chairman OF the committee
of arrangements would demonstrate his
patriotism by taking an aerial voyage was
~unfounded. and many felt sad and diSap-
pointed as they saw the balloon wend Its
way ~heavenward minus the chairman.
As the shades OF evening drew near, the
crowd dispersed, and the exercises of the
day terminated. And as the darkness OF
the night made its appearance the town
was most brilliantly illuminated. jap
anese lanterns in countless numbers,
hanging in every conceivable spot in the
arches, pyramids, festoonings, on private
dwellings, stores and shops, while the
sky was lit up by a continuous stream of
rockets, all combined. presented the finest
display of pyrotechnics ever witnessed in
the coun'v.
Thus NC celebrated another Fourth OF
July in Berlin. The day will long be re
membered Icy every n who participated
in the festivities. The good order which
prevailed throughout the whole day and
night. will be treasured up and recalled
many years hence with pride and joy.
The absence of the drunkennsss heretofore
considered inevitable on such occasions,
can only be attributed to the saluiary in
huence OF the late Murphy temperance
movement. The various committees TO
whose good sense and judgment we at
tribute the great success OF this celebra-
ton, deserve a hearty vote OF thanks. To
the Meyersdale Brass Band, WI say thank
you, we will return the compliment. To
the boys who performed the immense
amount OF labor necessarily connected with
such celebrations, we say God bless you.
The most commeldable unanimity pre-
vailed throughout the entire day peace,
order and goodwill reigned supreme. o.