The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-07-25
Our "Fourth" at Louisburg.

The Fourth of July was ushered in
auspiciously over the beautiful lake like
sheet of water-Louisburg harbor-upon
whose bosom lay at anchor, and moored
at the pier, fine fleet of six American
merchant vessels, four masters of the
larger GLASS, trim and symmetrical.
At three a. m. our Celebration" be-
gan by yoluminous shrieking of steam
whistles, braying of horns, and changing
of bells, our supply of musketry and
ammunition being limited.
AS the day dawned each We'd with the
other in display of cold Glory and
profusion of accompanying bunting,
giving a beautiful and pleasing effect,
intensified by the hilarity of aforeme en-
toned implements. which meant con-
siderable in our feet.
Many native was reused in the early
morning hours to peer around in search
of supposed fire, and belated fisherman
awakened from their slumbers no doubt
banded epithets at the expense of tbe
presumptouus Yankees! Such clamor-
ing at intervals, it is safe to state. was
never heard in the modern locality, ard
the "Oldest Inhabitant'' could scarcely
recall it in the Ancient Bombardment. +"
Many on shore entered into the spirit
after ascertaining the causes, while
others looked passively, and somewhat
curiously interested at the seeming novel
ty and apparent boyish jolificntion. They
did not realize the Unborn spirit, that
legacy of 'seyenty-six" the injunction to
celebrate ny Donfires, ringing of bells.
firing of cannon. fireworks, etc., as ex-
emplified and beadeathed by those
property. their lives, and their sacred
honor to the genius of liberty, that they
might leave an inestimable heritage to
their descendants, that vie inheritors
might keep in romem branoe their heroic
deeds and undying patriotism with a full
realization of the cost and sacrifice. And
SO it was that, reinspired, we 'scele-
brated't after our fashion, the GLORIOUS
fourth in the har5or of Louisburg until
the going down of the sun.
Our English cousins no doubt forgave
us, as they realized it was in no
triumphant spirit, or menace TO their
sensibilities, only our axuberance born of
gratitude to the God of nations in bo-
queathing our glorious land to a valiant
people, a land DER which our starry ban
ner waves from the Dominion on the
north to the Gulf of Mexico, from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, not forgetting far
off Alaska, that heaven inspired banner
we so cherish and love, child of that in
spiration' caught from a rift in the
storm cloud, the stars of heaven in sky
of blue cheered by the crimson of rain
how Ii ue; for it is to be remem beredetha:
our flag had its birth in darksome days.
a nd that looking upon its graceful folds
we are reminded of what it emblslnizes,
the blue sky the stars of heaven, eternity.
love, sspuIity and fidelity. And methinks
those grand old spirits, while we rejoice.
would have US to realize that Righteous
ness exalteth Nation,' that we, their
descendants should remember that
"Etsrnal vigilance is the price of
LIBERTY" and guard we'll the bulwarks
thereof.
Glorious mother England no nurtured
their progenltors, all honor to thea for
noble ancestry. those in whose memory
we celebrate, the pre- destined fathers, the
birth of our great republic.
GEORGE w. BUNKER.
Louisburg, July 9Th, 1896.
Schooner Alicia B. Crosby.