Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-10-16
A NOTABLE CELEBRATION.

On Thursday of this week the celebra-
ton Of the centennial anniversary OF the
closing scenes of the American revolution
begins at Nswburgh, on the Hudson river.
1t was here that Washington disbsnded
his army and sent the worn. ragged and
penniless soldiers who fought for our lo'
critics through seven years war, back to
their homes. 1t was here that Washing
ton Indignantly refused the demand OF his
officers that he assume the dictatorship OF
the country. 1t was here that the army
waited and starved while Congress strove
to raise the money to pay off the impover.
ished heroes. 1t was here that the glorious
news of final and lasting peace was made
known to the weary soldiery. 1t was here
that Washington was go nearly betrayed a
captive into the hands of the British, and
was only saved to his country by the patri-
otto devotion of an American girl, who sac
rifced father to save her country. It was
here that the Commander-in-C Chief strove
with all his lofty courage to hold the army
together and to prevent the revolt that SO
often threatened, and, succeeding, thus de-
termined the destiny of America. Around
no other spot cluster such memories of such
heroism, devotion and wise discretion on
the part of the leaders of the revolution.
It is gratifying to know that this, the
oF io1 oaIahrafiopu 10 70
be observed with fitting ceremonies. The
State of New York has given to the COM
mittees the sum of $4,000 to aid them /;
Congress has given S25, 900. and the little
city of Newburgh has contributed 5000.
New York city and Brooklyn send their
favorite military regiments to the scene ;
the Government sends the chief ships of
the Atlantic squadron from West Point
will come the cadets of the military school
and a full battery of artillery. Seventy
civic societies from abroad have taken
places and will appear in the line; the
President of the United States and his
Cabinet, and the Governors of many States
will be present. One thousand singers,
led by the famous Seventh Regiment
band, will send the tones OF the national
hymn abroad upon the morning air. Fiji
teen Posts of the Grand Army of the Re-
public will appear in uniform, and the
regular army vii! be represented by some
of the most distinguished officers of the
country and several battalions of infantry.
The United States training ships James
town, Saratoga and Portsmouth, with l50
boys in uniform on board, will moor with
the North Atlantic squadron in front of
the city, where the ships of war, repre-
senting nearly 100 guns, will fire salutes
throughout the day and wake the echoes Of
the historic region with thunders Of applause
for Washington and liberty. There will
float on that day from the Admirars
ship the flag of the Bon Homme Richard
under which Paul Jones fought for his
country, while relics of the days that tried
mems souls will be displayed at the old
headquarters of Washington. Among The
guests to be present, who come from every
part of the Union, will be a grand niece of
both Washington and his wife, lady said
to greatly resemble Martha Washington,
and who bears the family name. There
will be present twenty-three direct de.
scendants of revolutionary officers of dis
tinction who had their quarters at or near
Newburgh. The addresses will be by
William M. Evarts and Thomas F. Bay
ard, and the poem by Wallace Bruce.
The fireworks at night are intended to
surpass anything of the kind heretofore
attempted in the country in pyrotechnics.
And SO the Empire State, aided by the
nation, will celebrate with becoming pomp
and ceremony the peace the colonies forced
upon the unwilling George of England.
In these distant parts the best we can do
viii be to take part in spirit and call to
mind the blessings we enjoy as free peo-
pie, while from every flagstaff in the tate
we fling the banner of the nation to the
breeze for the entire day.