Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-07-04
FAMOUS CELEBRATIONS.
Viv q Description of Fourth of
 July in Continental Camps.
Semi-Centennial Jubilee - Gradual Change in the Character of the Exercises, Hut No Loss
 of Patriotism.
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ldIdlloh oi lndePeHdehee Is Sa1d to have expressed the desire that he might rise from his grave a hundred years later to witness the manner in which pos terity observed the Fourth of July. If his wish could have been gratified, the venerable patriot would have found decided change in the manner of the celebration, but none in the feeling which inspired it. Posterity, too, would undoubtedly have turned the tables on him, eagerly questioning him in turn as to the celebrations in his day; but even without his aid its ques- tions can be answered.
 Celebrations In Continental Camps. Always, even from the earliest years, there was the noise of guns and the salute of 13 by the cannon. If the wives of the officers were present, an elaborate party or dance was usually arranged Tn many of these celebrations the wives of Gems. Knox and Greene were leaders, and sometimes they even prevailed upon the great Washington himself to open the ball.
 For example, in 1777 at Morristown, every soldier was ordered, an extra gill of rum, and there was a celebration by the feu de joie. In IT'S, on the 3d, an order was sent out that the day would be celebrated by firing 13 pieces of cannon and feu de joie of the whole line" In the south, some whigs dressed up a lady with monstrous head dress three feet high, with great profusion of curls, etc, and marched with her in procession to ridicule the dress of the tory ladies. '"The figure was droll' the writer naively explains, and oc- casioned much mirth. It has lessened some heads already. The tory women are very much mortified"
 In 1779. at West Point, there was the usual noisy outbreak, which this time was given variety by an order of Wash | ington ito grant a general pardon to all prisoners in this army under sem tence of death." In 17s2, occurred the last celebration of the revolutionary army as such. "The whole army was 1 formed on the banks of the Hudson, one each side of the river. The signal of 13 cannon being given at West Point, the troops deployed and formed lines, when a general fue de joie took place l throughout the army"
 Year of the Treaty of Peace.
 In the year 17s3 a change in the man. ner of the celebration took place. There was still the noisy demonstration with guns and bells and processions marched up and down the streets; but new features were added. These were orations by leading men, and dinner served gratis on many village or city common for the crowds. Among the toasts were "The United States" "The President, "''The eConstitution," ""George Washington" and, of course, 'The Daughters of America" The dinners were elaborate, and we are informed that squirrels. chickens, green corn, the vegetables of the season'-and doubtless large quantities of those drinkables of which the Fathers of the Revolution were, we are afraid, not very sparing-were spread upon tables beneath the trees. Peace had come, and ssthereat they rejoiced exceeding ly" Even Boston abandoned the cele- bration of the "Massacre," (why they wanted to "celebrate" it, no man knows) and substituted the Fourth of July" which remains even to this day,
 The Jubilee Celebration.
 Many things combined to make the membered The new nation had be- come a recognized power; republican ideas were growing, and just at that time sympathy with Greece and the South American republics which had not long before cast off the yoke of l Spain was very strong. The past was not entirely gone, either, for Jefferson, Adams, and Carroll were still living, as were Madison and Monroe. Noise was still prominent in the celebration, but l the oration had come to have perma- nent place.
 In New York there was public read l ing of the Declaration, following long procession which had made it's way from the Battery up through Maiden l lane. Pearl and other residence" DOT tions of the town to City Hall park, where Dewitt Clinton, then governor of the state, reviewed them. It IS said that Washington square received it's name on that day, and that 10000 peo- pie had great ssox-feast" there. In Boston more was made of the oration than in New York. Josiah Quincy was the orator of the day, while Webster Peabody and others responded to toasts; while over in Cambridge, Ed ward Everett delivered one of his great est speeches. In Washington an hon erabIe member'' delivered an oration from the steps of the capitol for a great thing, and all the leading officials and dignitaries of the nation were pres ent. Under the field tent which had sheltered Washington 50 years before many guests and visitors were enter. tained. The living fathers" of the