Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1881-07-06

How it was Celebrated In Austin.
GRAFTON BY PROF. -KLUx"
PARADE-LEleoY AND AUSTIN BASE
BALL CONSTELLATION ASCENSION
FIRE WORKS, SC.
The one hundred and fifth anniversary
of the Declaration Of American hide
pendence was celebrated in Austin very
appropriately and with as much enthu.
siasm as the prospective death of the
assassinated President would permit.
The day was pleasant, and, for the Fourth,
invigoratlng. A brisk cool breeze rem
dcred comparatively comfortable day
which would otherwise have been insuf-
ferably warm and sultry.
To the intense disgust Of many good
citizens who enjoy the cool mornin g
slumbers, patriotism burst forth IN the
morning at three O'Clock with peal of
bells, firing OF guns and anvils. The first
boom calleu every small boy IN town to
his feet and into his clothes with yell
of delight. In inst one second they were
shouting in. every direction, and enliven.
ing their race to the anvils with stray
crackers AID torpedoes. OF course we all
arose and waited for day, the servants
doing the weeks washing, and the par
ents seeking to qucll the unparalleled
racket. Early in the forenoon tie city
began to fill with people coming from
the country in all directions. The streets
were soon lined with teams and the side.
walks crowded with people seeking shade
and refreshments, and eagerly discussing
the shooting of the President and inQuir-
ing about his condition.
At ten O'Clock the procession formed
in front Of the Fleck House, under the
management Of Marshals Anderson and
Furlong. First appeared the Austin
Cornet Band seated in large airy bus,
surmounted by large flag. The band
boys presented fine appearance in their
gay uniforms, and were true 10 their repu-
tation all day long. They were followed
by the Mayor and Committees Of the
Day. Then came the Reader, Chaplain
and Orator. They, IN turn, were followed
by the "Goddess of Liberty" than whom
the real Goddess herself could not look
more queen-like. Succeeding her car
was that containing thirty. eight girls
handsomely dressed and wearing sashes
and names OF the states which they rep
resented. We simply co the girls justice
in saying that they were beautiful, and
wish that the records of the states they
represented may always be as clean and
pure as were their own innocent faces
under their crowns of flowers. The
remainder Of the long procession was
made up of private carriages and citizens
on foot. After paradlng several streets
all returned TO the public square to heal
the reading and Grafton. The ground:
and their arrangement were the poorest
feature of the day. They were unshadcd
unprovlded with suitable seats, and sur
rounded with rafting wagons, exploding
tire-crackers, and shouting boys. Not
withstanding all this, and the sun shining
into the faces Of the audience, a laTg,
number gathered around the stand anl
listened with respectful silence. On thu
stage were seated the dignitaries Of the
day, the representatives of the states, TIT
band, and many ladies and gentlemen.
The exercises were begun with praye
by the Chaplain, Rev. Alfred Cressey
This was followed by music from tn
band, and the reading of the Declaration
of Independence by Capt. E P. Van
Valkenburgh. In spite OF the stron!
breeze blowing directly in the face of tn
reader, he, as we'll as the orator
was distinctly heard. The Declaration
is an impressive composition, and it los
none Of its impressivencss by Mr.. Van
Valkenburgh's delivery.
Miss Maggie Whltton, the "Goddess O
Liberty" next sang in fine clear voic
that soul stirring song, THE Star Span
gled Banner" IN the chorus of which sh
was Joined by the audience and the band
D. B. Smith, who was in charge of tn
exercises, now introduced Prof. VIM. w
Keysor, the Orator of the day. Mr.. Key
sor, in an earnest manner and firm tone
delivered an address forty minutes i
length, universally pronounced by til
audience fully equal, and by many supf
rior, to any Fourth Of July speech eve
made in this city.
In the opening the speaker alluded t
the assassination of the President, an
paid high tribute 10 his character as
man determined to wage war agains
fraud and political corruption. The
followed vivid description Of the exten
physical features. resources, railroads, an
people Of the United States. Our ow
state was eulogized, and our Senator
and Representatives in Congress, GU
Governor and Secretary Window wer
mentioned n respect and honor; and III
declaration that the people Of Mipnesot
will pay the bonds, If they are Invested {
the fraud clinging to them, was greete'
with applause. Mr.. Keysor next reviewe
the early history of the country, dwell
ing particularly on the character of til
people and their great men, and the idea
which actuatcd them. Among the prir
ciples at the Lasis Of our institutions h
would place first, the idea of a persona
God of everlasting justice, greatest pei
sonal freedom, and free educatio,
Among the dangers pointed out wer
Capitalization of administration, rapi
influx of uninform ed foreigners, and pro
titution OF the civil service. The oratio
was closed with an earnest appeal I
remember 1.-The brave boys in blue VIII
poured out their blood on southern field
to preserve for US the precious legacy c
our forcfathers, and whose patriotism
enables us to-day to celebrate the glo r
! Ons Declaration Of Indian ondance ,n1f