The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-07-08
Dur First Tariff Bill Was Fought That
Day-The Massacre Of Wyoming valley.
The Amnesty Proclamation Of 1903.
Treaties Signed.

J/kHN Declaration of Inde-
CMLgLaI1 " pendence is the
%NIS.TN Fourth Of July en-
Z titled to the atten-
ton of patriotic citizens.
Other events of national Importance are
indissolubly connected with the day, so
that, partly by intent and partly by pure
accident, the Fourth of July, aside from
its prestige as the nations birthday, has
become one of the most distinguished
days in the chronology of our country.
The first tariff bill that the United
States ever had was signed by President
George Washington on the Fourth of
July, 1889. This measure, which was
tho first important legislation of the con-
gress Of the new nation, was regarded as
eminsntly patriotic, and that consideration
had much to do with the selection of the
anniversary Of the Declaration Of Inde-
pendence as tho day for its official pro-
mitigation.
At that time the national congress was
sitting in session In New York city, and
early in April James Madison, Jr., Of
Virginia, member of the house OF repre-
sentatives, made the proposition to meet
the pressing financial necessities Of the
country by q system Of impost and ton
mage duties. The subject engaged the at
tention Of the house until late into May,
when the bill was passed that with slight
amendments was subsequently ooncurred
In by the senate and signed by tho presi-
dent. So our tariff system as we'll as our
independence began on the Fourth of July.
Mr.. Madison the father Of the measure,
condensed into 22 lines, with eight or nine
words each, the essential principles that
s,...
for many years to come. Specific duties
the rule, ad valorem duties the exception,
revenue the object, moderate duties, the
burden Of taxation upon luxuries-these
were the characteristics of the measure as
proposed and as finally adopted. The ad
valorem duties ran from 8 to 10 per cent,
the latter figure being fixed for pleasure
carriages. Specific duties were also very
moderate The law was limited to expire
in June, 1896.
The Wyoming Massncres.
Thomas Campbell has celebrated in
Gertrude of Wyoming" one of the most
tragic and most pitiful events in our coun.
try's early history. The poem, as all
know, is in Campbelrs most charming
style. The poet sings:
Delightful Wyomingi Beneath thy skies
The happy shepherd swains have naught to dc
But feed their hocks on green decliyitieS
Or skim perchance thy lake with light canoe
From morn till evenings sweeter pastime
With timbrel, when beneath the forest brown
Thy lovely maidens would the dance renew,
And, aye, those sunny mountains half way
down
Would echo fageolet from some romantic
clown
The Wyoming valley on the Susque
hanna river was as beautiful spot 1OC
and more years ago as 1t is now. Posses
sion Of the territory was in dispute be
tween Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and
strife between contending claimants was
frequent. The Tories were turned out and
then, under command of Colonel John
Butler, they allied themselves to the neigh
boring Indians and returned with force
of l 100 men, 900 of whom were savages.
Colonel Zebulon Butler commanded the
settlers, but he and his little army were
enticed out of their fort on the plea of a
parley and, having been led into ambus.
cade, were slaughtered almost to q man.
The fort was then attacked and forced tC
surrender, and many of its defenders were
massacred. 1t is said that Queen Esther
half breed Indian woman, tomahawked
with her own hand Ia persons to satisfy
her revenge for the killing of favorite
son. And when this dread Fourth OF
July ended 1t looked upon devasted val
Icy, ruined homes and mutilated corpses,
while little band of survivors-25 or &c
men and 200 women-were driven out In
to the trackless wilderness to find q way
| as best they might to friendly settle
ment, a long journey that was only ac
complished after much suffering
The Washington Monument.
When the cornerstone of the Washing
ton monument at Washington was laid
July 4, 1S48, there was brilliant Assem-
blage Among those in attendance were
few men and women who had been con,
temporaries of the Father of His Country
| Upon the platform were seated side by
| side the widows of Alexander Hamilton
| and President Madison both of whom had
witnessed the birth of the republic Presi
| dent Polk and his cabinet were present
and Robert O. Winthrop delivered the ora
tion.
The date, July 4, 1851, the seventy fifth
| anniversary of the nations birthday, was
selected as the occasion for laying the cor
nerstone of the extension of the capitol al
Washington. The celebration was q dis
tinguished affair. There were grand
military and civic procession and impos
ing ceremonies. Fillmore was president
and Daniel Webster, then secretary oi
state, delivered the grafton, which was one
Of his most dignifled, eloquent and i'm
pressiye public speeches.
Memorable Battles.
1t was an anxious Fourth Of July that
dawned upon the country In 1851. Civil
war had become dread reality. Confed
L. a..
weeks across the Potomac In Virginia.
Apprehensions for the safety of Washing
ton were rife and Federal troops were
throwing up Notifications and pushing in.
to the field. Almost daily reports were
coming in of skirmishes and light engage,
ments between the opposing forces. In
this crisis the Fourth was celebrated with
renewed fervor. Congress met In special
session on that day, the only time in the
history or the country that the day has
been chosen fer such a purpose. There
was a dramatic force In the arrangement
that was not without its effect In stimu-
lating patriotism in the then tense condi-
tion of the public mind. At once Presi-
dent Lincoln sent In his message calling
for 400, 900 men and $400, 900, 900 and urg-
ing prompt measures for the prosecution
OF the war;
The month of July, 1868, opened with
much Of hope and anxiety throughout the
country. All eyes north and south were
turned toward Gettysburg and Vicksburg,
and there was little thought anywhere
save for the opposing armies that faced
each other. For several weeks the inva-
sion Of Pennsylvania by the Confederate
army Of the Potomac had been talked Of.