Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-07-05
AT NIGHT.

An immense concour5e OF people assembled
on the broad plateau of the upper terrace in
the rear of the Capitol at 1870 P. NJ. If any
one had Heretofore doubted the policy of
holding the literary exercises in the evening,
he must have been converted to the new idea,
for the experiment proved its wisdom. Sew
eral thousand people stood for an hour in
front of the stand and gave the most I'M
wearying attention. The evening was cool
and delightful, and better time or place
for the exercises could not have been chosen.
Grand Marshal Berkey called to order, after
music by the Hussar band. He spoke from
D stand made by using the Car of Liberty"
and on which the officers of the evening sat.
Mr.. Berkey introduced Mayor Brown,
PRESIDENT OF THE DAY,
Who said another anniversary of American
independence had added to the number 60
ing to make up the second centennial era in
the history of the nation. 1t brought us to
the day which of all others the people ven
crate. We have our special festival days and
periods of reunion, but on this day we unite
in one grand union OF effort, having but one
aim, one purpose, and that is to celebrate in
proper manner the independence of the
nation and the freedom of the American cit
izen, and to pay homage to those who, by
indomitable willpower, marvellous persever.
ance, prowess and patriotism, gave US
day that we can all celebrate. He
called on the people to remember
that it is not only a privilege
but duty to observe the day with all cere.
mony and heartiness, not only to keep alive
the precious memories of the struggle for lib
erty, but to show to coming generations how
we cherish our country and how the deeds of
its heroes are enshrinei in our hearts. Mr..
Brown continued for some time in this patri-
otto strain, and then introduced, after music
by the band, Rev. DIR. Deal, who offered up
a fervent prayer. The band played again,
and the Chair introduced John T. Carey,
who read the Declaration of Independence in
a most effective manner. His voice was clear,
loud and steady, his intonstion good and his
emphasis correct and forcible. 1t was in fact
good reading, and gave to the Declaration its
by the band the Chair introduced Hon. Henry
Edgerton, orator of the day, who proceeded
to deliver
THE GRAFTON,
MIR. Edgerton was in good voice, in very
happy frame of mind, and, as consequence,
spoke with all the polish and grace that
usually marks his manner, and beside with a
fervent eloquence that seemed of patriotic
inspiration. 1t was one of the best efforts of
the orator, and held the audience from Begin
ming to end in almost breathless attention.
He spoke as follows
"Mr. President and Fellow Citizens Love
of country, pride in its institutions, the pas
sion which aims to serve it, the courage that
leads to death in its defense, reverence and
gratitude for its benefactors. all the virtues,
in short, which are summarized in our Eng
lish tongue by the term patriotism, are
crowning attributes of the American people
Therefore, for the cultivation and perpetual
ton of these virtues, they have irreversibIy
ordained two great national anniversaries,
now publicly and appropriately observed
throughout cur own country. and wherever.
upon the face Of the earth, community OF
Americans may be. 1t seems but yesterday
that nation of the first rank suspended the
usual avocations Of life, to celebrate solemn
and public obsequies to heroes slain In it's
defense. Its manhood and womanhood were
bent in tender reverence over their sacred
dust, while its childhood lovingly laid the
pomp and beauty of the year upon obelfsk
and urn, and grassy mound ...ze r
ain our gardens of the dead"
Again it has paused in its brilliant race
of glory, to consecrate this day to the
immortal men and women by whose
devotion and valor its free institutions were
funded. by whose blood those institutions
are sanctified and csmented. A powerful and
PROSPEROUS people commemorate by the obs
seryances Of this day, the struggles. the suffer
inCs, the trials and the triumphs, of their
revolutionary sires, and lift up their hearts
In gratitude to the God of nations, for the
magnificent fruition Of their deeds. What
patriotic memoriep what enkindling thoughts
aud glowing hopes, infisme the breasts OF
Americans upon this recurrence OF the annl-
yersary of the nations birth. 1t draws
within our horizon the events of century OF
ulrivaled national history. 1t couples tne
unmatched exploits of our own times with
the undimmed splendors Of ancestral re-
uown. 1t brings before us in clear re-
lation, past achievement, present pride
and power, and future hope and
destiny, Time for moment turns In It's
fight. and we are borne backward through
the great epochs OF our national life, to the
wondrous scspes in which that life began.
We are in regions inhabited by branch Of
the Anglo.Saxon race containing its best
blood, and destined to unfold the noblest
faculties implanted in its constitution. We
are at a stage of it's development when us
sleeping energies are awakening TO heroic
efforts, when its matured virtues are ABOUT 10
be tried by a violent and decisive rupture
with ancient times. We see communities
bound by feeble ties, and widely dispersed,
yet agitated by common fears, and uncon,
sciously approaching common and o splendid
destiny. We are in civic assemblies. where
freemen, conscious of their rights and daring
to maintain them, are concerning measures OF
defense against the tyrannical claims OF des.
potic power. We catch the enthusiasm OF
patriots nerved By love of liberty, to the
contamination of great deeds. We are in q
Congress Of dependent and disunited colonies,