The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1889-07-09
<:OyEE%OI. FLEMING
At TarpOn Springs On the 4th.

From an elaborate and interesting re-
port of the celebration Of the Fourth OF
July at Tarpon Springs, by the Times
Unions special correspondent, we extract
the following:
AT noon the people were assembled under the
oaks where a speakers stand had been erected,
and il was really work OF art, for, although
small one rarely sees finer one. The decOra-
tons were very fine. both with flowers and flags.
The Declaration of Independence was well read
by the Hon. John b. Walton, and was a fitting
preparation Tor the address OF Governor Flem-
INC which followed. His Excellcncy put his
audience in good humor by inviting them to
come nearer the mOurners' bench, or In other
words, to draw closer to himself as the
wind was blowing strongly against him. You
will understand that at the first he had some
difficulty in speaking owing TO that fact but be-
fore he closed his address wind and weather had
been forgotten and the great heart of the people
throbbed in unison with his. His speech
replete with historical "reminiscences and classical
illusions. He drew graphic pictures of the
struggling colonies graphing with the old-tmc
mistress of the seas of Washington at Valley
Forge paid many a touching tribute to dead
and gone heroes and statesmen, to Washington,
Nathaniel Green, Light horse Harry Lee War
rem Putnam, Lafayette Pulaski, Sumter, Ma
rion, DeKulb to Jefferson, Pinckney, Franklin,
the Adamses, John Jay, Hancock Rutledge, Car
roll of Carrolton But fixed as was the attcn-
ton of the audience during this part of his adj
dress more intently did they listen, when,
in words whose sincerity we could not
doubt, he pointed ont the duty Of the
present generation. With uplifted hand did he
warn us not to sleep at our posts because liberty
is ours "for eternal vigilance quoth he, is the
price of liberty" And then, with sudden low
ering of his tone, with most intense earnestness,
did his eXcellency point out the horrors of a
corrupt government. The greatest danger"
said he, "to the country is corruption in politics
No exigencies should arise to cause the people
to deviae from what is right and just. Teach
your children to be honest, if you teach them
nothing else" Round after round of applause
greeted every sentence that fell from his lips as
he pleaded for a pure ballot. The closing SEN
fences were grand grand in sentiment and de-
livery. They were addressed more particularly
to the Southern people, to such as have not yet
forgotten the civil strife. Tenderly, reverenty
did he speak of the lost cause, and IN tones
which carried conviction 10 every heart. "lhe
saddcst day Of my life" said he, was when the
news came Of Lees surrender" | wish | might
quote it all the words which he used in speak
ing of the LAYING down Of southern aIms--wish
that might lead you up to that grand climax
when he begged The people to honor the gov
eminent which protects them. 1t is useless to
try; only let me say that when his excellcncy
concluded his speech, il was not an empty COM
pliment which greeted him, but tribute from
full hearts
In fact Governor Fleming has Won the hearts
of our people. Prepared to meet a cold, sterD,
mpassive man, we found genial earnest one,
and men and women to whom he was but a
name veSteI day, are to-day his friends. Gov
ernOr Stafford, a dyrd-n- lhc-woo Republican
pronounced his address the finest Fourth of-Juy
Grafton he ever listened to. Governor Stafford
himself is no mean orator, and The people were
disappointed TINT he did not address them this
afternoon; but two or three light showers and a
belatcd train rather nter'ered with the program
and deprived u, of a great pleasure. Mayor
Webster, in few well chosen words introduced
the speakers and afterwards dismissed the peo-
pie