Connecticut western news., 1884-02-27
wAsHHNGTON's BIRTHDAY.
Celebration Nt North Canaan. Conn.,,
 February 22. 1884.

Celebration at North Canaan. Conn.,,
 February 22, 1Ss4.
 All honor to David s. Cowles Post, No. 60, G. A. R., for the admirable and patriotic manner in which Washington's birthday was celebrated.
 The program was fully carried out and never before have we seen so large an audience at the Town hall. Every seat in the room was occupied, chairs were brought in and placed in the aisles and standing room was at a premium.
 We would be glad to give a detailed report of the celebration, but our space is too limited and we are compelled to briefly allude to the principal features.
 At7 p. m., the Post marched through Main street. The sidewalks were lined with spectators and the veterans were greeted with cheer upon cheer, to which they responded. The exhibition drill st the Town hall showed that the vete- rans had not forgotten how to handle @ musket. The representations of army scenes and incidents was admirably rendered, considering the limited stage room. Dr Eddy's address was @ master production and was listened to with rapt attention. The life and character of General Washington, his struggles and triumphs, his patriotism and devotion to the cause of liberty were portrayed as only Dr Eddy is capable of doing. His contrast of the conduct of Washington and the conduct of the public men of to-day was most scathing rebuke to the politicians and wire pullsrs and @ stunning blow at 'third termism." The Glee club favored the audience with several choice selections and each sus- tained their part with credit. The song and character representation "When George the Third was King" brought down the house.
 The celebration was @ grand success and marks the beginning of new era in the history of this town and right here it may be profitable to pause and enquire, was Washington's birthday ever more fittingly celebrated in this town !? In fact who can tell whether Washing tons birthday was ever before become ingly celebrated in North Canaan |? We have enquired of many but no one re- collects genuine celebration. We did find one old patriarch who said, when he was young they used to have @ dance on the night of February p, and by the way you will find some at the present day who evidently think the great ob- ject of life, the chief end of man is to dance; they would not think it out of character or place to dance at funeral
 To whom are we indebted for the ap- propriate celebration of last Friday |? To David s. Cowles Post Yes, to the men, who 23 years ago when the hydra headed monster of secession was claw ing at the very vitals of the nation, took their life in their hand and went forth to defend our institution.
 It is said of Napolean that when a person was recommended to him for appointment to any important position. his first enquiry was, "what has he done 1; what has he ever accomplished ?'' When the proposition was made to cele- brate Washington's birthday, every one felt assured it would be well done if David s. Cowles Post would take the lead. It has been done and we'll done too; but citizens of North Ca naan don't let us permit these patriots to do all the work. After they have fought our country's battles, don't lei them come home and be the only ones to manifest patriotism.
 Let us cooperate with them in per. petuating the memory of their fallen comrades and when Decoration day comes next May, let it witness a united tribute paid the memory of the nations dead heroes.
 The work was we'll begun last Deco ration day, let it continue, and let us also give our most cordial support tc David s. Cowles Post