Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-07-19
INDEPENDENCE DAY.
It's 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 Il. 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 Buckley 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:
1T is not my purpose to make an address
to-day. l did not know until this morning
that the programme would contain any men
ton Of my name at all; but it would be alto
gether uncivil if did not, this opportunity
having been offered me, express my thanks
to those of you who are gathered here this
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
fact that the bureau having these conditions
in charge has failed to secure to you such
weather as we would have desired to-day.
Laughter) 1t is very gratifying to know
that your love of country and your interest
in the perpetuatiOn 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 a body of citizens filed with honest
pride in the story Of their country, and full Of
| serious purpose to maintain those institutions
from all faint of corruption or decay. We
stand to-day as a nation exempt from all
fears of foreign hurt It 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 boastfulness, 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
and national legislation, those measures
| 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. am glad on this anniversary of that
! Declaration which, afterward established by
arms, made us nation, seriously as
| the whose
ance has been conspicuously present in all
cur affairs, to unite with you in
fresh conservation to duty, and to the true
veal and happiness of all our people 1 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
To all of you who have gathered from these
Connecticut horaes | desire to express my
thanks for your kind and pleasant reception.
| 1t seems to be exceedingly appropriate that
one like Mr. Bowen, born here on these Con
necticUt hlltOps drawing IN in his youth the
vigor and strength which equipped him for
the 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 a country to which
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 narts of trade upon our Atlantic
seaboard but even to the far West-that
they are coming back and repOssessing them
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 I haveso much formed the
habit of doing at Washington, give way tc
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 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 Buckley introduced Secretaries
Noble and Trey. 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 a slight lul
in the storm VIII Carleton read his poem,
''Rhymes to the Day." and Senator HIscocl
| got through his address on american POliti-
cal Pessimism" But the rain soon began tc
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 a tree
before the residence of Mr.. Bowen. Secretary
Tracy, Governor Buckley, 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