Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-07-05
The Pioneer Hook and Ladder.


The Tooth anniversary of the independents,
of the United States of America has come ant
gone. The bird of freedom has scared alof
and spread its pinions DER the land, and es
pecaly SO over the city Of st. Paul. Thil
ambitious feathered biped made it's fiigh,
from the Atlantic to the Pacific and finally
folded Its wings and rested in the capital city
of the North Star state, gathering its favored
children beneath its lowering, and sank to rest
with the dreamy consciousness that there were
none to modest or make it afraid under the
broad Eggs of the star spangled banner,
an ensign which has been carried
through many an IRON sleet and crimson
fame, without one of its stripes being effaced
or one of its stars furnished, and a banner
which, when the angel OF doom shall stand
with one foot upon land and the other upon
sea to proclaim the final end of all things,
will receive the first rays of the morning and
the last smile of expiring day and Goat in
triumph as the last symbol of human glory.
All hail the annual recurrence of the Fourth
Of July, and If its sun rises but once year
its beams bathes continent in q refulgence
of supernal beauty which throws it light far
into the countless ages yet to come.
o.much for sentiment which the GLOBE
could not help indulging in, and now for ma
terial facts. A more lovely day never blessed
the children OF men than that of yesterday.
The sky was almost cloudless, the air was
clear and sufficiently bracing to admit of
young and old America exercising themselves
to the top Of their bent, in whatever line their
fancy pointed. 1t was gladstone day and
right gladly did all, whether of high or low
degree, enjoy it. 1t was in striking contrast
with the Fourth of July of one year ago.
Then the shadow of great national calamity
overshadowed the land with a dark pail of
impending evils consequent upon the hourly
expected death of the chief magistrate Of the
uation. Those clouds OF gloom have passed
away, the sun OF prosperity is once more shin
ing brightly and yesterday was typical of the
recuperative powers of the nation.
Under these inspiring influences it is need
less to say that everybody old and young cele-
have jolly time, conventionalties were
thrown to the winds and the rich and the
poor, the high and the low mingled together
on common level, all bent upon a common
enjoyment of the glorious ami
versary. The principal streets of St. Paul
which are usually filed with surging tide of
humanity were almost deserted yesterday
from 10 a. m. until evening. The city emp
tied itself for the rural districts such as
Minneapolis, Minnetonka, White Bear, Lake
Elmo and other places of resort. Business OF
all kinds except in the hotels and saloons was
practically suspended, during those hours.
Enough were left in the city, however. to keep
ing are worthy of mention.
AN OLD FASHIONED CELEBRATION.
First, in regard to age and importance in
the celebrations Of the day, was that Of the old
Pioneer Hook & Ladder company, at the par
Tors of the young p. & L. company on St.
Peter street. Eighteen years ago this pioneer
company of the fire department commenced
the regular old fashioned way of celebrating
no how hay Hpn N
since. Atprecisely 9 O'Clock yesterday morn
ing the anvil battery Numbered out its salute
calling the 'old time boys" to the place OF
meeting, and shortly after that hour
the assemblage, composed largely of "old
settlers" was called to order by
Frank Breuer, ESQ, president of the ascot
alton. The musical club, composed of, Messrs.
Wilson, Munger aud Miller, opened the exer-
cises with singing Independence Day" in
fine style, after which President Breuer in a
short address in we'll chosen words welcomed
those present to the eighteenth annual cele-
bration of the Pioneer Hook and Ladder COM
papy. He referred briefly to the present
prosperity of the country, and predicted that
its course would be onward and upward in the
future. Mr.. Breuer's remarks were we'll timed,
feeling and eloquent and were loudly ap-
plauded.
The choir then sang "The Star Spangled
Banner" in good old fashioned style, the audi
ence applduQlng at Tie Close.
MIR. George w. Freeman was then intro
duced and read the Declaration of Independ.
ence in clear and forcible manner. Mr..
Freeman has read this immortal document for
several years past, and he invests it with new
meaning every year.
Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean, then fol-
lowed by the choir, after which Mayor Rice
wac introduced and spoke as follows:
MAYOR RIcE's ADDRESS.
Mr.. President, officers and gentlemen of the
Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company.
The reunion Of an organization which com.
bines all the essential elements of patriotism
with the highest bravery is peculiarly fitting
upon this day which we annually celebrate as
the birthday of our nation.
Your vocation is more ennoblipg than that OF
the soldier, for while you hsve to encounter q
foe more relentless and mightier than oppos.
ing armies, you fight not to destroy, but to
save life and property.
All civiliz d countries from the earliest pe.
Rod of history have had organizations and
appliances Of some kind for protection
against fire, but the first in our country, be-
lieve, was that formed in Philadelphia Ia 1873
by the great philosopher inventor and states.
man, Benz. franklin. What additional delight
would have been his, as he attracted the light.
ming from the clouds, could he have realized
that his discovery would be applied as an
auxiliary TO the fire company by it's instant
notification of the exact locality of fires !
Science and skill have in these later years
wrought changes which, by comparison
with the simple cevice of water buckets then
used, seem marvellous. But what would he OF
you say If steamers and horses were dispensed
with and your machinery and ap-
paratus, with a tank of electricity
mounted upon 8 tricycle., were transported
and worked by electricity alone as The motive
power. am afraid that Language would
fail to do justice to the subject" Yet, just as
strange things are frequently happening
through the agency of scientific research
The perfection to which you have
attained in the use of modern appliances
is truly wonde, fui, aud inspires
great confidence in the efficiency OF
the service in which you are engaged, and
in this efficiency we see the practical result OF
the faithful discharge of daily duty.
Your department, gentlemen, is widely
known among the underwriters of the country,
and by all who give the subject of destructive
fires careful attention, and there is none that
stands better in this broad land. This is g
high compliment, and as citizens we are Just.
ly proud of:you. Considering it as perhaps the
most important arm of the city service the
people have ever manifested great interest in
you and in your praiseworty efforts
In your extremely perilous calling, doubt
not that each man OF you finds his conpensa
tion in the knowledge that he has rescued hui
man life or saved valuable property from de
struction. May your days be many, and hap