The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-07-06
THE FOURTH or JULY IN HONOLULU.

cal topics.
THE FOURTH OF JULY IN HONOLULU.
Although Monday, the 9TH of
July, was agreed upon by the Amer
leans of Honolulu for the celebra-
tion of the 10th anniversary of
American independence, on account
of the 4th coming on Sunday, the
true 4th was ushered in at midnight
of Saturday by the firing of guns
and the discharge of fireworks, all
over the city aud suburbs. The
same programme was repeated, with
redoubled force, a little past II of
Sunday night, and kept up pretty
we'll until daylight of the 9th. In
addition, serenading parties, with
brass and stringed instruments,
went out in all directions, filling the
air with sounds that warmed the
enthusiasm of the jubilant, and re-
minded everybody that it was meet
to suspend the cares and concerns
of drudgery for a while. Daylight
appeared with a cloudy sky and
occasional light showers, the clouds
continuing most of the day, but the
moisture disappearing before the
middle of the forenoon was reached.
A GENERAL HOLIDAY.
Among the white and native por-
tions of the population the day was
observed as general holiday.
Many of the leading business estab-
lishments did not open at all. Others
opened for short time only. BY
midday almost every business place
was closed. The natives seemed
even more inclined to holiday-keep-
ing than the whites. Bunting in
rich profusion streamed from the
shipping in harbor, and from public
buildings and private fiag-poles on
shore. Several small picnic parties
left the city in the morning for
days quiet retreat in the country.
The first event on the programme of
the day, arranged by the Celebra-
ton Committee, and satisfactorily
carried out. was
THE LITERARY ENERClSES.
A steady throng was streaming
into the Central Park skating rink
at 10 O'Clock, and ushers were kept
busy for a little while in disposing
the audience. Seats were reserved
at the front of the gallery for dis
tinguished auditors. Among these
were the Princess Liliuokalani, Gov
ernor Dominis, the three members
of the Cabinet, Messrs. Gibson,
Creighton and Dare, and Col.
Spreckels. Opposite the gallery a
dais, built for the speakers and
singers, was draped with red,
white and blue screen in front, and
with the Hawaiian and American
flags above in the rear. Over the
center of the drapery behind the
platform was hung framed Ameri,
can coat-of-arms. A few palm
leaves about the stage and a wreath
on the reading stand, with little
American flags and pendant vine;
at each post round the hall, com
pleted the decorations.
On the entrance of His Excellency
Geo. w. Merrill, United State
Minister Resident, the Royal Ha
waiian Band, stationed outside il
rear of the platform, struck up
welcoming air. AT this time, fey
minutes after the opening hour
there were probably close on 81:
hundred people present. One pleas
ant assignment made by the commit
tee was that of seats for youn
school girls in the front rows of tn
benches to the left, ranged at righ
angles with the platform. Thes
children taking their time fror
Professor Berger blended thei
voices sweetly in the singing.
Mr.. Merrill called the meeting
order and announced the chaplain {
the day, Rev. C. NJ. Hyde, ID. ID
who read passage of scripture an
offered prayer appropriate to I'll
occasion.
The choir, with Hon. C. +
Dickey as leader, led the audient
in singing the patriotic sonl
AlucIlCa'
His Elk. Mr.. Merrill said he W;
down on the programme, probab
out of compliment to him, but
had fred off his batteries so ofte
to Honolulu audience during ii
past year that it must be mistal
to have him make speech nov
They were assembled to celebra
one of the greatest events the worl
ever saw. 1t was not in spirit I
Boosting that Americans should col
template the triumph of libert
achieved over century ago. Thu
achievement was only deyelol
ment of principle that had existe
for all time. Americans should rails
the star-spangled banner high ov'
Hawaii, England, France, or al