The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1883-07-06
TIE FOURTH.
How the Natal Day was
Celebrated at the Fort.
Speeches, Cheers, Applause
and Good Cheer.
Everybody Happy and the
Glorious Fourth Doomed.

DdSScO away OLO AHtOASAiONA' 49,
they are keenly alive in their present
state to the enjoyment of the good
aud the beautiful here, then the
spirits Of those men who gave life
and liberty to this nation must
have been, on the anniversary just
passed, well pleased with the work
they had done and with the display
of genuine appreciation which was
on Wednesday at Fort
Douglas. And when we consider
that in a thousand cities of this
great republic the citizens were just
as patriotic and just as appreciatlve
as here, the thought presents itself,
that the spirits OF Washington,
jefferson, Franklin and the many
others who builded the foundations
of liberty and commenced the
walls of the present great ma
ton must have wept with joy
and felt grateful in their hearts
that the God Of the universe
had reserved for them the glorious
task of founding nation which
should finally become the foremost
of all the world. When one con-
siders the great Importance attached
to this day, that it was the birth Of
freedom as well as the nation, and
that from that time onward ciYillZ-
alton would advance without check
or hindrance, the propriety of cele-
brating it in manner which would
give vent to the enthusiasm of
the people is plainly evident.
This is the day which Adams
declared would be the most mem
Orable epoch in the history Of Anne
RIGA. He said: 81 am apt to believe
it will be celebrated by succeeding
generations as the great anniversary
festival; be solemnized with pomp
and parade and with shows, games,
sports, guns, bonfres, and illumina-
tions from one end of the continent
to the other, from this time forward
for evermore. 1t ought also to be
commemorated as the day Of deliY-
erance by solemn acts Of devotion to
Almighty God. = Through
all the gloom I can see the ray Of
ravishing light and glory; and
posterity will triumph in this days
transactions" The day has always
been celebrated by parade, guns.
and Examinations, but the acts Of
devotion to the Great Rul9r, who
gave The freedom to the nation,
have been conspicuous by their alb
sence.
From an early hour on Wednes-
day morning the road to Fort
Douglas was literally lined with
vehicles of every description, and
Notwithstanding the intense heat q
great many traversed the distance
on foot. The committee of arrange
ments had provided every accom-
mediation for the visitors, and soon
the benches on each side Of the stand
were filled. These seats were so
arranged that all through the exer-
ciseS the glare Of the sun was en-
tirely excluded.
A little before IL o'clock, the
Sixth Infantry band struck up an
air which soon brought to the CEN
tire those who were dispersed
through the different parts of the
Fort grounds.
The commencement of the exer-
cises was announced by Mayor Jen-
nings. there first being music by the
band. which was followed by soul
stirring prayer by Rev. Mr.. lift.
Gen. McCoOk babe the citizens well
come to Fort Douglas. in q spirited
and OPEN hearted manner;
whereupon the Mayor arose and
remarked that he appreciated the
modesty which impelIed Gen. Nc
Cook to term his speech Of welcome
q s'feeble" one, but aside from the
words he had uttered, which were
quite the reverse to feeble, the COM
forts and accommodations on every
hand, the decorations and embellish-
ments that greeted the eye at every
turn, were in themselves expressions
Of the warmest welcome and spoke
louder than words. The Mayor
presumed there were many in the
assemblage who. like himself, were
net Of American birth, but had left
thti: native shores to dwell in the
a, o Iiberty: and though still en-
terra. Ing the highest respect for
the,. ". u. lands, had renowned
all allie yil!ee % the flags of other
nations. Al W5s e prepared to meet
together TO- i4l N, a common level,
to celebrate thu :nIverIary of
American indeuen l-ilte. under the
protection Of the dAG W lch now
fioated over them. As for himself
he could say to-day, that his home
was ao American hame. He wished
to thank General McCook and the
officers OF the fort for the many
manifestations of their princeiy
hospitality aed to cordially accept
the same on behalf Of the people of
the city and Territory.
Mayor jennings reply was o.
lowed with music by the banu,
when the Mayor announced Gov
ernOr Murray as president of the
day. The Governor responded in a
short. but fitting speech, and an
nounced as the first item on the
programme the reading of the De-
claration of indie pendence by Mr.. H.
NJ. Wells. The audience was very
enthusiastic, and when the reading
was finished the applause was ire
mendouS.
Next, the singing of the national
anthem by the Fort Douglas Glee
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