The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-07-07
Despite Bad Weather and Alb
sence of General Plan.
THE NATAL DAYNoT FORGOTTEN
Families Celebrate and the Citizens
Meet in the Evening Other
Towns Have BlOw-Outs.

taught ple young luSti AoW " Slipot-<tlOnS
lines of patriotic ferver-and assisted tht
little ones to impress the lessons of his
tory by shooting the festive fire cracker.
Some visited the neighboring towns,
where celebrations were being held, some
went to the seaside, but for the most
Astorians remained at home.
In the evening the patriotically inclined
gathered at the Methodist church and en-
appropriate to the occasion. Judge Gray,
Mr. f. d. Winton, and the Rev. Daniel
Staver delivered the addresses of the
evening and DR.. Mullinix presided.
The Declaration Of Independence was
read by Miss Bessie Ross in an effective
manner, Miss Mabel Williams recited
the Fourth of judy"
Mrs. j. T. Ross, Miss Edith Conn and
a choir of girls furnished fine selections
of patriotic music, and Messrs. Hardesty,
Grlbble, Vadalin and Winton rendered
''The Sword of Bunker HILL" Myrtle
Blinn and Clara Dunbar gave some pleas
ing declarations which materially assisted
in the entertainment.
Judge Gray, in brief, said.
MIR. President, Ladies' and Fellow Citi-
zens: The Fourth Of July Is the birthday
of the United States of America. This
day of all others should ever be cele-
brated by every true American.
This day has been since 1776 our nation
al holiday.
This is the day when every true native
born American should meet together in
some way and show by act and deed that
they love their country.
On this day 1t is the duty Of all true
patriotic Americans to meet, and by their
example and enthusiasm, teach their chill
dren and our adopted citizens the history,
and recount to them the sacrifices made
by our forefathers and mothers that they
aud we might live in this land Of the
free and the home of the brave"
The American who would vote the
Fourth Of July bore is a man OF no
country, and should be warned of con-
sequences that may fall on the heads Of
his children.
Let us resolve that in future we will
show such persons that we are ready
and willing to do our part to kindle anew
the fires of patriotism on each and every
anniversary of this day.
I am reminded Of the first general pub
lie Fourth of July celebration held in
Clatsop county in 1S47. on the farm Of
Mr. Perry on Clatsop Plains, composed of
about 100 Americans, thirty Hudson Bay
men and about 100 Indians. The whites
sat down to picnic dinner on long tables
after that was disposed of toasts and
sentiments were given and read and to
each was given cheer upon cheer, in
which all Joined with unbunded enthusi-
asm.
One of the sentiments given was: 'yrhe
American eagle, may she continue to
scream until she can spread her wings
from the Gulf of Mexico to the north
pole and from Cape Cod to the Pacific
ocean, and whose bosom shall be dotted
with our flag and commerce.
Only few days before the news had
been received of Gen. Zach Taylor's vic
tories in Mexico.
The second Fourth of July celebration
of note in this country was held on the
same farm in Clatsop Plains In 1861, at
ithat time owned by Mr.. John Hobson.
Prominent people from nearly all over the
state were in attendance. 1 name the
cities from which they came In their or
der of population and prominence: Ore
gon City, Fort Vancouver, Portland, st.
Helens, Rainier, Cathlamet, Astoria, and
Pacific City. The crowd was estimated
from 500 to 700. My duties that morning
began at o'clock by milking dozen
COWS. After breakfast l drove an OK
wagon, often on troit, to Skipanon land
ing and carried from there two wagon
loads of ladies (the men had to walk to
the celebration grounds)
Unbounded patriotism prevailed during
the day, and a great ball at night closed
this noted event.
After that L believe that nearly every
Fourth was properly celebrated until 1858.
went away, returning in 1863 AS
general thing our city has had celebra-
tlons until six or eight years ago. Since
that tine 1t has been a great effort to
eHthuse our people.
Only couple of years ago one of our
naturaalzed citizens actually put up more
than three-quarters of the money and
paid for most of the labor necessary for
that creditaIble celebration.
My shame at that time when learned
the racts Is the cause of this, possibly
over zeaous effort, to arouse our native
born Americans to do their duty.
Henceforth let adj patriotic citizens
unite to celebrate our country's birthday,
and may we he filled with the spirit of
Commodore Stephen Decatur, who said:
My country, may she always be right,
but my country, right or wrong, my coun-
try"
The Rev. Staver's remarks were most
pertinen. and timely, briefly stated they
were as follows:
We come here tonight as patriots. The
occasion is not one of party. Let all
differences and party names be put aside
and let us join In celebrating the birth
~ a great nation.
We have got the best government on the
face Of this round globe But in the
midst of our rejoicing comes the question,
Is this government permanent? Will this
republic last? Have we built the ship
Of STATE 50 strong that she will out ride
the storms that are sure to overtake her?
rhsse are questions well worth consider
Ing. What is the ground Of our belief
N the permanency of this government?
For one thing it was born in an age
Of enlightenment; In an age of discovery;
In an age OF popular uprising. II was
born In an age .n which the telescope
first looked into tine heavens, In an age
In which the microscope first revealed the
wonders hid in a drop OF water, In an age
when the barometer first felt the breath
Of the coming storm.
1t was born In an age In which great
things were done In the world Of iitera-
ture and art; dn the age of Milton, Des-
carte, Newton and Shakespeare. Other
nations were born n times u copular
ignorance; ours wa Gli3t upon he in |
Ieliigence Of the people Few pe5p.e aave
more to boast OF than l-nierieans. ~ al |
most every particular we are unlike aid |
superior TO other nations; and in nota-
Ing are we more unlike and fdperior than !
IN our national birth. We had a differen4 |
starting point; different Fundamental |
IDEAS; different experiences aai conse- |
luently are realizing and VIII ccni!aue to |
realize different results.
Again. we were the child OF Providence. |
We may safely say that no nation but
one has had a history so marked By II
experimenting providence Of God. He nj
this western continent until the ages
were ripe for its discovery. He kept It |
until his people chosen out OF three ma
ions. were ready TO take possession. God |
brought them here: they were as truly