The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1884-07-10

How The Anniversary Was Observed in
EmDorSA.

and as q consequence our citizens were
astIr early to prepare for the day, but
none too early to welcome the hundreds
who came from the country to see
the sights and participate in the observ-
aDce of the day We celebrate. The streets
in the business part of the city were filled
with wagons and carriages and the walks
with people at an early hour, and this,
supplemented by the decorations con-
slstIng of flags and streamers from many
of the principal buildings snd residen
ces, and special displays In some OF the
store windows, together with the inces-
SAINT report of various explosives, gave
proof that the gala day was to be enjoyed
and observed in earnest.
At about 10 O'Clock the procession was
formed on Commercial street and
started for SOden's grove, where the
celebration in charge of the Emporia
Rifles was to be held. The K. p. band
headed the column, discOrsing suitable
music, and next came the Rifles, follow
ed by the orators of the occasion, with
an escort in carriages, aft which fol-
lowed long line of citizens IN carriages
and wagons. DR.. ]. A. Young acted as
marshal of the day and proved highly
efficient In that capacity.
At the grove q temporary platform
and seats for the Rifles, band aud audi
ence had been prepared, and thither
the procession repaired. DIR. Young
presIted and after the excellent opening
music, called upon Rev. Henry Mack4y
for an invocation. The first speaker
introduced was Col Allen Buckner, of
Baldwin City, who, among other points
in his excellent speech, said:
ION such occasions so many lines OF
thought present themselves that it is
difficult TO know which to choose. When
look at our vast country, consisting OF
30 many states In one G Jvernment, am
al convention at Philadel-
phia, at which Washington presided aud
sat with beclOuded face, full of fore
boding, many lines of thought were de-
bated, but the convention could not com
plete Its work. At an oppOrtune mo
ment the aged DR.. Franklin called atten-
tiOn to the fact that recognition of the
God of the universe had been neglected,
and suggested that a chaplain be select
ed. He also suggested three days re-
cess, asking members to consult with
men of opposite opinions, rather than
with friends, and to endeavOr to meet on
middle grounds. Acting on both
suggestions the adOptIon'ot the consti
tuition at the next meeting was a speedy
and an easy task. The Declaration OF
Independence has not been read to-day
but it is familiar to all. The principles
of freedom asserted IN it are the same
that actuated Abraham Lincoln. Free
dom of thought and freedom of action
gave the United States soldier a force
that made him a monument of strength
He was on hands to obey orders, no mat
ter how hazardous, as evinced by
many well known incidents
This day is symbolicsl of freedom.
Some of our cOlored people have 1
idea of this. All that was intended wa
to take of their shackles and give then
a chance to do the best they could.
At the close of this speech the banC
played Yankee Doodle" and Rev
Henry Mackay, the next speaker, wa
called. In the course of his remarks ht
said:
The United States is the best nation
in the world. 1t is truly "the land o
the free and the home ofthe brave" From
the beginning there we're controversial
between two great sections OF the coun
try, one contendiDg that states had pref
erence of the government, and right Il
dissolve 1.-THE other, that the genera
government IS the head and the super
Ior power.
In this line states rights claimant
avowed that capital owned labor, Will
the other held that capital and labor ar
free and independent each OF the other
This state OF affairs was settled invent,
years ago.
The speaker referred TO the Kansas
Nebraska bill and the Missouri compro
mise, and the part each played in tn
history of Kansas and the nation. II
spoke of the special duty devOlving up
on all of STUDYING the constitution in al
its bearlngs, and of informing them
selves on the laws of the state and ms
ton and concluded with, "God save on
. country, and God save and bless III
} commonwealth of Kansas"
, This address was listened {
-. with close attention. At about tn
3 middle of the address, the platform
gave way and this accident created cor
7 siderable excitement. When this Wa
/, over the speaker composediY resume
, his discourse and prevented further cor
fusion. He proceeded as though ther
r had been no interruption, and with hi
address this part of the exercises closeC
The barbecue formed an Imporlar
. part of the days attractions. Messr
Rhode s. Meyer roasted the OK, whic
was done by impaling him OH pol
, and placing this horizontally across
8 pit which had been dug near the rive
} This pit was about ten feet by six, an
> seven Ieet. deep. and in the bottom was
|, bed of burning charcoal, between whIc
and the OK was suspended a pan whic
S contained water sufficient 10 prevent Il
3 beet from burning or becoming cris
= The work was commenced early in ii
= morning, but it was O'Clock before Il
+ many whose appeiites had been whette
' by the sAvory Odor of roast beef we
: permitted TO crafty them. AS soon
: the OK was well-done the boys cor
o menced serving him. and for some tin
T sandwiches q la barbecue were In gre
demand.
8 AS SOON as the speaking at the star
d was over, the people dispersed. Mar
n merry companies were scattered abo
! the grove enjoying the dinners whiS
Is they had brought for the occasion. Son
If OF these companies took the form
E family reunions. A large number car
y to the various hotels in the city for the
g dinners. Some were disappointed, no
l. ever, in not being able to suppleme
&c their MONDAY feast with roast OK, b
m ali such had that opportunity in d
IS time.
The grove was we'll provided wi
.. the stands of vendors of lucheoI
; ice cream and lemonade, and the usI
m hAmmOcks, swings, shooting CALLER
ts and striking machines were well rep
IL scented.
In the afternoon the main attracti
was the dancing uDOn a large nlaffOl