Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-04
"The Day We Celebrate"

Railroads have almost rev6lutionized
the Fourth of July. No longer is it the
custom Of the people TO stay at home on
independence day. On the contrary tho
country folks rush 10 the towns and the
city folks dash to the country. Thus have
excursion rates undone the old-time 'cele-
brations." Here and there one hears OF
Fourth OF July orations, DC. but they are
not general as they were once. We might.
five chose, attribute this decadence to the
decline of a certain style of oIatory. but
We prefer to look at the stern facts as
they are presented to MS in the crowded
trains which fill every road IN the land on
this day.
Thirty years ago the railroads were in
their infancy. They carried very few pas
seneers. compared to the number they
now "handle," and the excursion rates
which now prevail were then all but I'M
known. Hence the holiday was observed
by the people at. or near to, their homes,
and the programme ordinarily con-
sisted of military parade and the firing OF
the national salute IN the forenoon and
pic-nics- IN the afternoon.
These latter IN this community almost In
variably took place at the well-known
springs which encircle Richmond. 1t does
not appear, however. that such localities
we're selected wholly because Of the excel
lence and convenience of the water, al
though it is a necessary ingredient IN
making mint-julep. but because around
and about these springs there was abund-
ant shade. And there in fine old groves
the soldiers and their citizen friends and
honorary members were wont to gather
and to spend the day in target-shooting,
quoit-pitching, shuttle board playing. and
other games in vogue at that period before
the discovery of the possibilities OF lawn
tennis or baseball.
There was. of course. dinner, and the
meats were barbecued under the direction
of some chef of local renown; while one
not lees versed in the culinary art COM
pounded and cooked the Brunswick-stew.
Often the greatest man in the company
undertook to superinteDd these matters
and also TO give his special knowledge and
sage advice for the benefit OF him whose
duty it became to make the mint-juleps.
Under such circumstances, with hearts
glowing with the exhilaratlon bred OF ge-
NAL companionship. open-air games and
agreeable stimulants, the orator found an
enthusiastic audience. and words came to
him full Of beautiful imagery and burning
patriotism.
Many of these responses to toasts were
charming bits of eloquence, and they kept
steadily before the people the history OF
the day. and the obligations Of Americans
to those daring patriots who IL l776 took
up arms against the King and made free
country out of these royal provinces. But
IL is not 10 be wondered at that other speak
ers scared aloft too high. and not having
the powerful wing or graceful flight of the
eagle, whose screams they initiated. found
it difficult to come down to earth when
they had once assembled. Hence. certain
"Fourth-of-July orations" came to furnish
synonyme for bosh and bombast.
These celebrations were on the decline
in the South when the war broke out, and
they were suspended during that awful
struggle, and when peace came with de-
feat there was little disposition to return
TO them. Indeed, in the drama of our
national history new scene had been
shifted to the front. Saratoga and York
town were put aside from the stage and
Gettysburg and Appomattox had taken
their places.
Then the railroads, with their excursion
tickets, struck the final blow to the old
custom, and now we know the Fourth as
great day Of travel and recreation. when
the people cease from their labors and
organize outing parties. and when our
youth signify their acceptance of the new
order Of things by making good deal of
noise with hre-crackers.
Patriotism will not suffer from all this
change, and hard-worked men and women
will profit by it. 1t is not, however, day
Of newspaper rest-we have only Sunday
and Christmss-day-but We welcome it on
behalf of our great family of readers,
whose pursuit of happiness" we hope
will be without accident. and in every
other respect entirely agreeable and sue
Ceexful