The national leader., 1889-07-11
INDEPENDENCE DAY.
Its Celebration by Prominent
People at Woodstock, Conn.
Addresses Delivered by President
Harrison and Others.


Noble, Senator Hiscock and distinguished
party went to Woodstock Conn, to spend the
Fourth of July as the guests of H. G. Bowen.
General Harrison is the third President who
has honored Woodstock by his presence
on the National holiday. General Grant took
part in the opening exercises ON July 4, 1870
PRESIDENT Hayes also spent one Fourth there
Congressman Russell at II o'clock raped
the company to order and after pleasant
words of welcome to the President and other
visitors and to the large crowd assembled,
he nominated Governor Bulkeley for Chair
man of the day The Governor, in q brief
speech, accepted the honor, and expressed
his pleasure at officially welcoming and pre-
Senting to the audience the President. Hearty
applause greeted the President as he arose.
He spoke as follows:
ut is not my purpose to make an address
to-day. did not know until this morning
that the programme would contain any men
tion Of my name at all; but it would be alto
gether uncivil if did not this opportunity
having been offered me, express my thanks
morning and to him upon whose hospitable
invitation you have gathered for
the friendly and cordial greeting which YOU
have given me, not only here to-day,
but in my progress hither yesterday. Your
patriotism has been put to the test by
weather conditions as unfavorable as are
possible IN the summer season. but YOU will
not, am sure, hold me responsible for the
Tact that the bureau having these conditions
IN charge has failed to secure to you such
weather as we would have desired to-day.
%iLaughter.) 1t is very gratifying to know
chat your love of country and your interest
IN the perpetuatlOn and right observance of
this pleasant celebration at Woodstock has
so perfectly triumphed over every impedi-
ment.
II am sure look into the faces this morn
ing of q body of citizens filled with honest
pride in tho story of their country and full of
serious purpose to maintain those institutions
from all taint of corruption or decay. We
stand to-day as a nation exempt from all
fears of foreign hurt. 1t is not in the power
OF any people upon earth much to harm U.s.
except our own people. We do not say this in
any spirit of boastfuness, but rather in one Of
thankfulnesS for that Divine Providence which
has given us such location and assignment
among the nations of the earth that no people
OF great power touches us on any side. All
the more exempt from thoughts of foreign
assault ought our thoughts to turn to dangers
which are eternal, and from which alone we
can have serious harm. All the more should
every thoughtful citizen consider how we may
promote the public veal, how we may hold
up our institutions in honor among our
selves, securing and promoting, both in State
which have best promoted, not individuals,
not the special, but the general good of all
the people.
II think such meetings as these, the old
fashioned Fourth of July celebration, have
IN them very instructive and elevating pow
er. Think you should be, as, doubtless, you
are, very appreciative and grateful to him
who has inauguarated, and with so much pa
tience and intelligence perpetuated, these
gatherings am glad to be here with you to-
day. l aEa glad on this anniversary of that
Declaration which, afterward established by
arms, made us a nation, seriously as
in the presence of Him whose guild
aRce has been conspicuously present in all
our affairs, to unite with you in
fresh conservation to duty, and to the true
veal and happiness of all our people. I de-
sire to thank these comerades of the great
army of the Union for their escort and
attendance here to-day. Surely those who,
in peril on the red edge of battle. have
shown their love to the flag will not fail to
be good citizens now that they have returned
to those abodes of peace and civil pursuits.
10 all of you who have gathered from these
Connecticut homes | desire to express my
thanks for your kind and pleasant reception.
1t seems to be exceedingly appropriate that
one like MIR. Bowen, born here on these Con-
necticut hilltops drawing in IN his youth the
vigor and strength which equipped him for
Che sharp contests Of business life in our great
city, should return hither, bring back to the
old hills and to the old State tribute out of
that wealth which he has accumulted to
beautify and benefit q country to which
he himself is so largely indebted. 1t
is pleasant to know that his example in
this respect is spreading among those
SONS of New England who have
gone, not only to the great
cities and marts of trade upon our Atlantic
seaboard, but even to the far West-that
selves of old New England homes, and giving
their influence and their means to preserve
and perpetuate here that high manhood type
of simple but strong citizenship which was
the pride Of these States in early years.
There are behind me several gentlemen
with manuscripts in their pockets, who are
burning for utterance, and l will do again
to-day that which have SO much formed the
habit of doing at Washington, give way to
Senators and members of Congress"
As the President resumed his seat three
cheers were called for and given.
Senator Hawley was next introduced and
spoke briefly in advocacy of a worthy cele-
bration of the Fourth of July. Associate
Justice Miller followed in a short address.
Congressman T. B. Reed, of Maine was the
next speaker. When Mr.. Reed had finished
Governor Bulkeley introduced Secretaries
Noble and Tracy. When the latter was well
advanced in his address furious and drench-
ing shower caused the people to make pre-
cipitate run for cover. During Slight lull
in the storm Will Carleton read his poem,
Rhymes to the Day." and Senator Hiscock
got through his address on American Politi-
cal Pessimism." But the rain soon began to
fall more heavily than ever, and Mr.. Bowen
announced that the rest of the programme,
consisting of the doxology and the benedic-
ton, would be carried out at his residence.
The President stopped at Woodstock over
night, and early next morning planted tree
before the residence of Mr. Bowen. Secretary
Tracy, Governor Bulkeley, Justice Miller,
Senator Hawley, Congressman Reed and
other guests assisted at the planting After
breakfast the President and party were con-
veyed to New London, Conn, by a special
train. Then they went aboard the United
States steamer Dispatch and were taken to
NavDOrt