Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1880-07-15
The Fourth n. Hancock.


HANCOCK, July 9Th, 1880.
The 10Th anniversary of our national In
dependence was celebrated here on Mon
day the 9Th inst, under the auspices of G.
C. Emerson, President of the day, and G..
B. Newcomb. Chief Marshal.
We felt somewhat discouraged in giving
vent to our pcnt up patriotism in the morn
ing on account of the rain, but by o'clock
A. NJ, the gloomy clouds had passed away,
and during the remainder of the day the
sun shone out gioriously and our charming
country looked all the brighter and fresher
for the rain.
The services of the "Litchfeld Cornct
Band" were secured for the occasion, and
the mastery manner in which they con-
Quoted their portion of the programme was
thoroughly appreciated.
We had national salute at sunrise, fol-
lowed by grand Agricultural and Trades
procession, in which were represented all
| the agricultural mechanical and mercan.
tile industries of the county. The process
sion formed at the foot of Page Lake al
about o'clock A. NJ and was about mile
in length. 1t was considered great sue
cess. for which much credit is due to the
skill and energy of the chief Marshal and
his assistants, as we'll as to those forming
said procession.
There were in the procession Sappers
| nd ol,s Of
ry, Presidents carriage, Sulky plows. Seed
ers, Tank wagon, Harvesters, Tanning
mills, Mowers, Sulky rakes, sc. &C., fol
lowed by platform wagons on which were
displayed the various Mechanical and Mcr
camille trades in operation, each artisan
being engaged in the particular employ
ment Of his craft.
From Page Lake they proceeded to the
residence of Captain Ezra Farnsworth, Jr.,
the Orator of the day After music anG
cheering the Orator joined the procession
and was escorted to Hancock, where tho
following exercises took place, commenc
ing ut II O'Clock A. NJ.
Music by the Litchfeld Cornet Band.
Prayer by Rev. Geo. B. Nutting, Chap
lain of the day. Music.
Reading of the Declaration of Indepen
dence, which was done in mastery ant
graceful style by Mrs. E. s. Way. Music
Grafton by Captain Ezra Farnsworth
which Was listened to by delighted audi
ence of over thousand, and pronounced
by them as scholarly, spirited and patriot
ic, and by many of them as being the bes
4th of July Grafton they ever heard. Music
Chorus of school children in nationa
songs.
BY request the following poem was writ
ten for the occasion by L. P. Kerr, ant
read in her usually graceful and attractiv,
manner by Mrs. Z. s. Way.
Hail glorious 4th thou'st come once more
j And thy return we greet w it'll gladness
Thou vert born in strife, baptized in gore
A hundred years ago, and more.
W hen our fair land was ill d with sadness
To win the freedom then denied
Our fathers fought and bled, and died.
They nobly fought, they knew no fear,
And we enjoy from year to year,
What to each human heart is dear,
: Those rights, life, love, and liberty.
Columbia conquered at its birth,
! The greatest nation then on earth.
Peace is restored, the slave is free,
This is the asylum for the oppressed,
To which they sail DER every sea,
As from despotic rule they flee,
In search of liberty, and rest.
/ They come to us from every shore,
And yet there's room for millions more.
The land on which we gaze to-day,
: On which the golden grain is growing,
Whose people look so fair, and gay,
: Whose flowers bloom beneath the ray
Y Of summer sun SO brightly glowing,
: Was ten short years ago, and less,
E A lonely, dreary wilderness.
i Now Railroads span this beahteous land
!, News is conveyed with lightning speed
New homes appear on every hand,
: From humble cot to mansion grand,
!, Adapted to the owners need
! The war-hoop, and the wild.beasts roar,
Are heard in this fair land no more.
Thus our vast country grows, and fills
: With free people, cast and west,
From shore TO shore, its wales, its hills,
From mighty streams to ripping ri.ls,
, Will be by freedoms SONS possessed,
, A people of undoubted worth,
The mightiest nation on the earth.
Throughout those exercises there We