The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-05
PATRIOTISM AND PIC MICS.
SUNSHINE AND SEEKERS AFTER
SHADE.

SUNSHINE AND SEEKERS AFTER
SHADE.
A More General Observance OF tho 4tl
OF July than Usual-Crowds OF
Excursionisss Come and Go.
The sunshine was genial yesterday, and
II perchaDce some luckless individual, pro-
voked by care, failed to be thankful for the
blessings OF liberty and allowed buslnes.
to ruflle temper, II was a matter that wa:
not known on the face OF events, and
served Its mission Of unhappiness only in
minute circle. The city walked up as
usual, but the signs of labor seen on work
days were wanting at an early hour, and in
place thereof holiday look was given
to the public thoroughfares. Early In the
morning excursonists and picnic people
were astir, moving to some railroad depot
or making .heir way in private convey
ances to some cool, sequestered spot or
supposed shady nook, there TO hunt for
fun over iack-pots at poker, or seek for
pleasure in the rounds OK the dance, while
music made glad the echoes, or in some
other OF the many ways known only to
excursionists search for something they
were very likely not to find. They all came
back in the evening only to observe the
comforts OF home enhanced by comparison
with the occurrences Of the day, yet salts
fed with the change that had been brought
about by the Fourth.
COMING TO TOWN.
While the city folk were hieng them
selves to the country, its shades and cool
spots, the country people were hurrying
over railroads to the city by the hundred.
From DanvIlle large train brought in
eight or ten carloads OF humanity from
along the line OF the road. From Lynch
burg the same thing was the case; in fact.
all the railroads leading into the city con-
tributed to swell the crowd, and the places
Of those who went away from the city
were more than supplied by those who
came to see us. Thousands OF negroes
swarmed along the streets, all making their
way TO the Capitol Square.
THE C0LORED BROTHER.
There is a fascination about the Capitol
for the colored brother. He sees Washing
ton, Jefferson, Marshall, and others notion
| less in bronze. lie sees house larger than
the "Great House" OF his old master, and
into this he can walk and can roam through
1t with pleasure. The grayeled walks are
| free to nim, and he can even lie on the
green grass and kick his heels in the
strength OF enjoyment while the sparrows
chatter and the sun shr : delightfully."- hot
upon him. In the country this can never
| be. It is new TO SambC. and is worth
! msre to him than the cheap rate he pays
, , oer the railroad.
Yesterday it was sight TO look at the
Square. The colored troops had captured
| IL On all sides they clmtted, laughed, fell
| list asleep in the sunsh re, rolled on the
.rass, gazed "a the sights, and devoured
their lunches. Some Of the oG-tlme corn
field hands haG resuTect d costumes worn
nearly a hundred years ago, and get the
dress seemed becoming when th good
natured faces OF the gr~y-haired wemers
were locked upon.
BUCKINGHAM NEGRO.
Dne of the sights among the negroes was
tall fellow from buckingham county
| He was six feet six l. ches high. and was
snare made. aud made more spare bv a
beaver l;, OF the old-iim. make anG more
than q foot tall. He wore a linen dustar,
that reached TO his heels, made, he said,
ACCORDING 10 my order, fact that
( could not be ioubsed when the statue OF
the wcascr was considered lie was thirsty
90. ard was politely 'rqLiring COR some
place - which he could cool his parched
/ tonlue with dradglT Of beer-pre-
facing is inquiries by The announce
meut that be could not stand Richmond
water. ".i's de wuss water, boss. | ever
/ see. I'm buckingham negro, an knows
mer plqce; bit sure = yer born. dis water
you'a' got yer j. mOrtally bad" While
! talking he tcc' II his long duster and
throw it over his arm, inyer,ing by the ac-
/ ton the pockets. 4 wooden comb, piece
OF l0oXing-glass. i rigm several matches,
and half an ashcake iak / in cal bage-eaf.
rolled on the pavement. The Buck
! ingham giant had TO sto0p might low, bnt
he cot down TO his prUpertv. picked it up,
and then moved of ia care OF his Lccr.
SEEKING REST AND 7rNDISG NONE.
Whetl er I. be that love o. country is
! nourishing III re now than il 'fls q few
years ago, CT whether II he thp pic-nIcs
! have suddenly been found to more readily
convey an idea Of patriotism. is problem:
| left for some statesman TO solve, and need
/ not be descanted upon. at this writing; but
certain it is that a larger number OF people
went from home yesterday than mas been
known OH any Fourth Of July here for
years.
Business was suspended almost entirely.
! The banks were closed, as were also the
/ freight dcp0ts, the custOm-horise, the State
| CAPITOL, the City Hall, and al the -ourt-
rooms. Early in the morning few fire
crackers were let loose, and orce about the
middle OF the day pack OF them disturbed
! the calmness on Main street near the post
office. The train from Washington
! brought 10 some visiting cOlorcd mill
tary, and they were met and cared
for by our colored militia. But
the weather was too hot for white folks,
and they did not parade. In fact, so far rs
public pageant was concerned. the Fourth
was not a success. Otherwise ii was
certainly so far a. the heat was concerned.
The shining sun blazed from cloud
less sky, and scintillated from roof
and rock until not only the passengers
hut the street-cars themselves seemed
TO perspire. Heat did not hinder
the eycursionist from moving, and all day
Yesterday weary pilgrims were seeking in
both town and country rest and recrea-
tion. and in majority OF cases found
none. Later in the afternoon the sky was
PARTIALLY overcast with clouds, and the
thermometer fell seven or eight degrees,
making an appreciable change in the at
mosphere.
Onr Richmond folks came back home
without accident, and the day passed with
out any ugly event or mishap.
Once during the day Lunenburg man
sought Policemen Poiteau and Sninberger,
In order 10 breathe suspicious against GER
tain parties from his county who had come
down on the excursion. The officers told
him to get out warrant, but he could not
swear strong enough, and the matter was