The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-07-02
Fourth OF July Long Ago.
BY DIR. j. II. cARL1sLE.

Bn Dh. .. H CARI1SLE.
From the Southern Christian Advocate.
let us go back to July 4, 1896,
nearly seventy years ago. A weekly
newspaper, dated July 8, 1926, tells
ms how the "fiftieth anniversary of
u independence" was spent in
Charleston, S. @. The dawn was
ushered in by a national salute from
an artillery battalion. A little after
6 o'clock, Gen. Geddes' brigade was
reviewed on Meeting street by Major
General Youngblood. The brigade
then marched to the Battery, and
greeted the day with an artillery
salute. Being again reviewed by the
major-general, ON their return to
Meeting street, they were dismissed
by half-past z O'clock.
Between III and Ii o'clock, the
Cincinnati and Revolution societies
walked in procession to st. Phillips
Church, where. after the perform
ance of divine service, an Grafton
was delivered by Thomas Gadsden,
Esq. At the same hour, "'76 Asso-
citation" went in procession to st.
Michael's Church, where, after the
usual services of the day, the Decla-
ration OF independence was read to
u crowded audience, by Samuel Ct.
Barker, Esq, and an Grafton pro-
nounced by Jacob Anton, Esq. The
Declaration of independence was
also read before the Friendship Lit
erary Society by Mr.. Augustus E.
Cohen, and an Grafton delivered by
Mr.. r.. Smith Duryea. The hide
pendent Greens and Charleston
Riflemen, heard an Grafton ut the
German Lutheran Church, which
was delivered by John II. Richard
son, Jr., Esq, and the Declaration
was read by John b. Bloomfield. AT
IL o'clock u salute was fired on board
the revcnue schooner, Gallatin, at
anchor off the battery, and at l
o'clock the salute was repeated al
Fort Moultrie.
Later, the several societies repair.
ed to their respective halls where
dinner was prepared for the mem
bers and their guests. The "Peo
pies Dinner" was served at tn,
Centre Market Place. A blessins
) was invoked by Bishop England. 4
large number of Revolutionary Vet
Grams had places of honor assigned
t them, giving special dignity to tn,
, occasion. Twenty-Five of the oldes
: were found to average seventy-on
years. One of these, Mr.. Gardner
was ninety -one, having serve'
through the whole war, was at th
! battle Of Bunker Hill, and was witt
. Commodore Paul Jones in the Ali
ance frigate. The several s%ocietie
, sent committees of congratulation t
: each other. Flags of shipping il
port were displayed at half-mas
through the day, and n handsom
I display of fireworks at night close,
4 the memorable day.
q The next issue of the weekly pape
told the singular death of Thoma
Jefferson, on the "4th," at the hou
= on which fifty years before, he ha,
SiShN" IL 1uhiotto DCCltl tiblO1. LAIl'
5 the same paper, II week still later
, told that John Adams had passe,
away later in the afternoon of tn
5 same day. Give years later, ex
President James Monroe died, Jul
: 4, 1879
3 AT that time the smaller cities
towns and villages celebrated th'
) day with all possible enthusiasm
Bands of music paraded the street
l at daylight. The bells of the town
were ordered to "ring a merry peal
) before sunrise. School children ant
J servants had holiday. About II
O'Clock II public procession wa
formed of the military companies
, citizens, ministers, survivors, &c.
and all marched to the most eligibl,
church building in town, where
platform was usually prepared il