The morning news., 1897-07-06
FIFTH QUIETLY CELEBRATED.
sAVANNAHIANs SPENT THE DAY
MOSTLY AT THE RESORTS.

Crowds Went to Tybee, Thunder
bolt and warsaw and Took In the
Races and Games-Chntham ArtlI-
Iery Mt AvondnIe-Mr. ROurke's Pa
triotic ExhibitIOn-A Few Fire
works at Night.
Sayannah's observance of Independence
day was more complete than any since
the war, perhaps. 1t was very quiet OBJ
servance, with little fireworks and dis
play, But still in keeping with the spirit
Of the day, and stiu more with the sea-
son.
As a day of rest and recreation, il was
more valuable 10 the people who have
passed through the terrific heat of the
last two weeks than one of noise, hurrah
and fireworks would have been.
Old Sol gave Savannah a day off in
honor of the occasion, and the tempera-
ture, though warm, was within more
reasonable degree than it has been for
some time. The heavy rain which fell
during the morning and the clouds which
oveTshadowed the sun during a greater
part OF the afternoon tended greatly to re-
duce the temperature.
1t was a very quiet day in the city. All
the public buildings and banks and most
of the business houses were closed All
the principal retail stores on Broughton
street were closed, with one exception.
There was nothing of interest to keep
the people in the city, and the crowds be-
gan leaving early. Thousands sought Ty-
bee. Wilmington. Warsaw, Isle of Hope
and Thunderbolt.
There were enough left, however, TO
send good crowds to the bicycle races at
wheelmen's park and the base ball game
at the c. L. A. park in the afternoon. A
large number left the city with the c. L.
A. ball team in the morning for Augusta,
where they were to witness the defeat of
the team later in the day
The colored population celebrated with
picnics There were the usual casualties
With the exception of Mr. John Rourke's
salute OF As guns fired at his foundry on
East Broad street in the morning, and
few stray peppers let off at night, there
was no gun powder burned. The indica-
tlons-are that this will be feature of flu
ture celebrations, however There
IS a feeling that Savannah, as
an important center of the revolutionary
days, should celebrate Independence day
IN the same manner and spirit as was the
custom in the south before the war
wel-known business man said that he in
tended to prepare a fireworks display for
the next Fourth of July
IT'S the proper thing, and we ought to
do it, he said. The boys won't mind the
hot weather"
The precedent of a general celebration
having been established, 1t is certain to
be followed in the future, and a general
suspension OF business, with games,
sports and recreation, will be the order of
events.
The liberty-or-deat tn spirit was bubbling
oEeE in Mr.. John RouTke's SOUL
and, accordihg to his custom. he celebrated
the ever.elorious Fourth in a manner most
becoming an American born in Ireland
After all, II does seem that the man of
all men who loves liberty and don't care
who knows 1t, Is the Irish American, and
Mr.. Rourke is one of these. IL Is his GUS
tom to have a little Fourth of July all
in his own way as the years roll by. He
has been celebrating with due pomp and
glory in his own good style since he was
young man, and while in heart he is not
yet old, there have grown a few threads
of silver In his Uncle Sam-like beard only
TO add 10 the resemblance he bears the
reverend gentleman who stands for all
that is of America American.
Every year Mr.. Rourke, at his big ron
foundry on Bay street, gets up grand
demonstration for the Fourth of July, and
more than accustomed fervor and en-
thusiasm. He dressed up in his Uncle
Sam clothes, spike-tail coat, striped trous-
ers and white plug hat, and called all his
employees about him. He read TO them
the Declaration of Independence, and
when he had finished he closed the book,
looked at them for moment solemniy,
and said:
"These words no Shakespeare wrote;
these words no Byron penned, but they
are the grandest words of the English
language ever run together. Now, boys,
! want ycu to take a day off and think
about il, Don't go to work until to-mor-
row. co off and have a good time, but,
first, let us have a few bars of music
from the cannons, and bring out the
esgler'
Mr.. Rourke has two of the sauciest little
brass cannOns ever put on duty. and he
had them wheeled into line like the pat
riot that he is. and touched them off to
the tune of every state in the union. He
then wheeled about. made a flank move
ment with them and with force of fifty
men ascended triumphantly the Old Fort
which stands like a monument TO the un-
forgotten days OF the revolutionary war.
and with his cannon fred two shots from
the summit, just for luck, although the
place is now the gas works, where no
smoking" signs are plentiful
Mr.. Rourke has his own little way OF
doing things up brown Just once a year,
and yesterday was the day, so everybody,
including policemen, had to stand from
under. Policeman Bostick approached
him In the midst Of his revelry and inform
ed him that there was a city ordinance
which declared nobody shall fire a gun
in the city limits. But, Mr.. Rourke gave
him the marble heart and kept on with
his knitting" In the presence OF the po-
liceman, who really seemed TO be serious.
Mr.. Rourke proposed this toast:
Here's 20 the American eagle
Proud bird Of freedom. all hail!
Whom no man could e'er inVeigle.
or put salt on his beautiful tail.
This brought the celebration 20 It's
zenith and many other toasts were pro-
posed. While the cannon had been get.
ting of It's part OF the programme MIR.
Rourkes eagle had been brought out OF
fts cage and placed on lofty pedestal ali
decorated with flags and bunting OF red
white and blue. The timid bird seemed al
Grst 90 take himself too seriously, but by
and by caught on TO the spirit OF the day
and squsaled dehanuy and proudly N
each fire OF the cannon. II was an In.