Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1893-07-07

and other warlike proceedings have distin-
guiShed the day from the very first. Like
other holidays, games, sports and excursions
are resOrted to by the mass of people who
prefer these pastimes to that of watching a
parade or discharging firecrackers. but the
one great feature of noise individualizes In
dependence Day from all others.
After the first celebration in New York in
honor of the signing of the Declaration the
patriots were too busy endeavoring to main
tain the independence of the States, and the
issue was too uncertain for any celebrations
to be held for several years. The tenacity
with which the British held on to the city I'M
til the close Of the war in 1888 effectually pre-
vented any demonstration on July of each
year had the people been SO disposed. But it
was not until the cessation of hOstilities that
there was tangible cause for rejoicing.
Through the long struggle, with but faint
prospect of happy issue, there was no cause
to celebrate the anniversary Of an act that
would have had serious consequences for the
signers, had the British forces conquered.
But when the treaty CT peace was finally
signed, and an era of freedom and prosperity
ensued, then the greatness of the step that
had been taken was realized by the people,
and the anniversary of the day has been
marked by re oicing ever since.
The Fourth in 1889 came 50 quickly after
the inauguration of Washington. and the
ceremonies that reused the enthusiasm of
the people all over the country. that it was
celebrated with great vigor. The New York
Society of the Cincinnati waited upon Presi-
dent Washington in the morning with COM
plimentary address to which he responded.
He was ill at the time and was able to give
only a brief reply. He donned the uniform
which he had worn in the revolution, and
stood in the door while the military of the
city passed by. The Cincinnati, led by
Baron Steuben, marched to St. Paul's Chapel
where large number of distinguished citi-
zens had gathered to hear an Grafton on the
life of General Nathaniel Greene. delivered
by Alexander Hamilton. Washington was
not present, but Mrs. Washington, Mrs. John
jay, Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, Mrs. John
Adams and many other ladies were there.
From 1889 until 1900 the celebrations were
observed by the firing of cannon and mus
kets at sunrise, the ringing of bells and the
display of flags. The small band of militia
paraded in the morning and bonflres were
built at night. AS neither firecracher nor
pyrotechnics were available a. that period
The small boys were comparatively quiet.
The celebration at the beginning of the
present century had fixed character. A
salute was fired at dawn from the Battery in
New York or from frigate IN the harbor.
Business was discontinued. parade of all
the military forces that could be mustered
out took place in the city. A corporation
dinner took place in the afternoon, and pa
kriotic speeches were made at different halls
in the evening. In Washington the Presi-
lent held public levee at noon, at which
Sie Marine Band furnished the music.
Abundant refreshments were served, and the
records of the time state that the latter port
IF the day was ''enlivencd by the cheerful
REGULATION of the glass"
In 1901 the National Intelligencer reported
nat the day was observed in Washington
with patriotic and rational animation" In
Q saree-coluen douhle-leaded editorial It