National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-08-13
JULY FOURTH IN JAPAN.
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his name prominently before the eyes of the
world, while a great struggle, in which not
only the people Of tho United States, but the
whole world were interested, was being fought,
aud with tho successful issue of That struggle
his name had been linked. But there were
thousands of his countrymen who If they had
been In tho same position, would have accom-
plished as much as he did, perhaps more.
In fact the achievements were no single
mans-they were the achievements of the mil
lions who stood by each other, each of them
doing his duty bravely and conscientiously.
He was much gratifed to meet so many of his
countrymen, aud he thanked them for their
kind welcome. He hoped they would all at
some day return TO their own country, and he
should be glad to meet them there on some fi-
ture Fourth Of July.
The Generals reply was delivered In clear,
firm voice, and was most enthusiastically
cheered.
1t now being ten o'clock, tho supper was an
nouncod and the delegated hosts led the way
to tho apartment where o bountiful repast was
spread. Tho chairman, DIR. McCartoe ION tho
glasses being filled) proposed the toast, "The
President OF tho United Statos," which was re-
sponded to by DIR. Hepburn (both these gen.
tlomen have been connected with the Missions
of China and Japan for period of forty years..
The chairman then proposed "The Day We
Celebrate" and called upon General VsnBuren,
our talented Consul General. to respond Tho
suhioined Is complied from tho Herald aud
the Ga=ette, Yokohoma. The General, rising,
said
/ firmly believe that should pay higher com.
plimont to this old time.honoured toast by simply
saying God bless the day, God bless the man" thnn
by making any extended remarks. Were not the
Fourth Of July possessed of Constitution like that
OF the United States, 1t would have been talked TO
death long ago llaugherl and am certain that our
illustrous guest has found on his journeyings,
from the setting to tho rising sun, that the gift of
race loud laughterl; and seeing him here, after
what he has undergone and IN the enjoyment OF
such robust health, convinces me that his constiu
ton is also OF the soundest, and that in this
pect he s to be ranked with the Constitution OF the
United States and the Fourth of July. lGreat
cred mos. unorthodox thus to pass over the toast,
beg your indulgence for moment. ..
our National holiday In this far.off portion of
the world appeals with peculiar force 10 tho patri-
otc heart of every American.
outside the whirlpool of politics and removed to
point where National characteristics seem more
clear TO us, we hail with heartfelt enthusiasm
every alluson to our country's birth and progress
This day Is bond of union to us all over the globe.
So far away from our native land, we think with
pride Of our oountry's great extent, Of her giant
strides in power, in wealth and In population
freedom won In fire and blood and we love TO
think that wherever we may wander we are never
beyond the protection of our hag-that Is, "hardly
ever" lGreat laughter.l
gongquarantine down In the bay-and they hardly
know what flag they are under. They complain
ofbelng distressingly, well, and the idea of being
restrained of their liberty on Independence Day
they look upon as diabolical outrage tho rights
of free Americans. Continued laughter.l re-
ceived n note from one of these gentlemen this
morning, in which he asks my Judgment as to
whether the japanese authorities have any legal
power to keep him in durance vile, and he tells
me If | say mo" he will find some means of getting
away from that vessel.
In reply said 4" regretted to find him in such
temper on the Fourth Of July begged him to
ings Of job and that he should think OF the gores
that awaited him after his tolls over, and of
the bonres and lluminations that would greet his
restoration to his friends; and above ALL babe
him reflect upon the conscious security with which
the good people of Yokohama and Toxic now re-.
tired TO their couches in the knowledge that he and
his associates were being thoroughly disniectcd at
Naga.ura. tShouts OF laughter But, my friends.
IS not only with feelings Ing Of patriotic lot pride that
Eastern land. When we are gathered thus to talk
of home there come to us thoughts of loved ones
there that cause our hearts TO throb and fill our
| eyes with moisture. The memory of those that
| have gone, the welfare Of those who are living
how dear they all are to us and although the great
ocean rolls between, how vividly this evening
| brings these loved ones before us.
| have many "reminiscences of the Fourth OF
| July. As q boy, remember 1t rs day of ginger
bread and are.crackers. [Laughter.l AS I grew
| in stature If not in wisdom, found myself glow.
| ing with enthusiasm on Independence Day, and
| wings and screech his defiance. Laughter and
| appausel When / came to man's estate, however
Ioltcn crept away into the silent woods, to escape
| the noise and tumult of the day. But there came
| time when TO me and to millions of my country.
| men the Fourth of July was rc-baptzed- baptized
| In blood and In fire. IL Is true, but wearing ever
thereafter the radiance of double glory. 1t was
In the darkest time of our terrible war when thou
sands upon thousands of tear.stained faces might
be seen crowdng the bulletin boards, craving
news from husbands fathers, sons and brothers
who were battling for the life of their country Oh
many bloody field Most p9rtentous It was, whei
and the scattering thunder seemed most awful
that on the Fourth Of July there flashed thu
lightning news, "Vicksburg Is takenl"- Vioks
burg With its $4,000 prisoners and its IL
cannon 1t was then JOY, smiled on mil
lions Of faces, and from millions Of lips wen
Fourth Of July, and all through the terrible srug
gle Of the Wilderness until that time when at Ap
the TsGs9s grave up is @
But not only was he the victorious captain-he wa
the mercifu victor When victory was won at last
loudest perhaps from those who had taken n,
part in the bloody contest on the field-it wa
Grant who held up his iron hand and said Thu
far and no farther. fought for victory. The 5outl
has surrendered; let us have peace" 'In the da
of battle he was consuming fire. In victory h
was a wall of granite, protecting his conquere,
foes in peace from the vengeance which threatened
ON every hand. Again. therefore, say, God bles
the day, and God bless the man. Let there be bu
one sentiment among US, and this shall be our pa
triotc cry. propose, in conclusion, the health O
the American people: Wherever they may be, a
home or abroad, MAY they always be united in dc
fence of the right and the true, and may tn
Fourth of July ever continue to them day of rc
joicing over the past and of high resolution for tn
future.
General Van Buren, was most loudly an,
enthusiastically cheered at the close of hi
patriotic and eloquent response Genera
Grant came forward and took him by tho han,
most cordially, and many distinguished per
sons present clustered around him ant
thanked him for his felicitous effort, an,
characterized it US an expression Of what the.
all felt.
The most important part of the progamm
for the evening was now at an end. A few
fireworks were sent up, and while ladies ant
gentlemen continued to promenade the hall
aud grounds at Uyeno Park, the General an
his party took informal leave The Toki
people dropped of gradually, Some of tn
Yokohama residents, who were to return b,
b. the last train of cars after a little dancing
left early, and at one o'clock all had loft th
! Seiyoken, and Uyeuo Park was deserted say
tho crowd of natives collected outside the gat
and the bicyclsts lingering in its moonli
groves.
A grand review of the japanese troops too
! place on the 9th on the Hibiya parade grount
near the Gaimu.Sho, vt which His Majest
the AIkado and General Grant were preson
{ in company
The General, accompanied by his secretary
Mr.. Young, and Prince Date, left his res
dence, the Enrio-Kwan, in the carriage prt
! vided by the Imperial Household Department
! | n1 m nj payalrv nngp1 4