Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-07-07
THE GREAT CELEBRATION.
Big and Enthusiastic Crowds. A
Successful Affair.

The cannon doomed just at peep OF
dawn Monday, reminding our people
that it was our nations birthday. The
day came on as perfect in its mild beauty
as summer day could be and as the
morning wore away and preparations
were being completed by the committees
in town, the people began to pour In.
They came by car loads from the south
and the north on the railroads and by
professions from the country. By after
noon crowd of visitors was in possess
sion of the streets, sidewalks and park
that was immense. 1t fairly blocked
progress. aud made one think one was in
a great city. 1t was mostly an orderly,
respectful crowd, too, come to enjoy a
social time with friends and to renew
their patriotism at their countrys altar
on this great communion day. The
ubiquitous boy with the fire cracker was
there as he had right to be. So was
he there who falsely thinks that to cele
brate the achievement Of civil liberty
one should become hilarious or even
drunk. But disorder from such abnor-
NAL acts were very slight and the day
passed as a most orderly and enjoyable
one
The forenoon program at the speak
er's stand was admirably carried out.
Mayor Hanna presided. Fred Blume
impressively read the famous old decla-
ration. Miss Young very beautifully
sang a solo and "a hot time in Cuba
was we'll received, being sung by glee
club. Mr.. Hanna then introduced the
orator, Chancellor Craig, of Drake Uni
versity. The Chancellor is an orator OF
ability and very pleasant man to listen
to. His address OF perhaps little less
than an hour in length was closely follow
ed by very large audience who would
gladly have listened longer. The speak.
err led the way out OF the ordinary and
rather beaten path of Fourth of July
oratory and into newer field or
thought. The great events through
which our country is passing seemed To
inspire him. He graphically pictured
the military condition around Santiago,
referred to the glorious cause OF human
ity that is impeiling us, and predicted
that Santiago would soon fall, saying IL
$1,000 troops were not enough Smarter
could have $4,000, or 100000 more. de
spoke of how Remember the Maine
melted us forward as Remember the
Alamo caused the Texans to struggle
valiantly for their liberty. The attention
Of his audience was called to the history
Of the national frontier south OF the
struggle against Spanish Mexican au-
thority there in 1913, and OF the similar
ity to the Cuban struggle now, reciting
at some length the history of the Tex
ans as led by Houston and others. The
characteristics OF the two races, the
Spanish and the Anglo.Saxon, were Con-
trasted. The cause OF SPANS decline
was stated as being because she has had
no new ideas since the sixteenth centu-
ry. He closed with patriotic and elo-
quent reference to the fact that these
themes involving our country's good
make US all kindred. The speech was
very well received
Adjournment was then taken for din
ner. The street parade failed to be as
big success as was anticipated. The
tiremen and militia company were out
but the business mems floats were mostly
absent. ID. +. Soar, harness, G.. W.
Hoover, implements and machinery had
very creditable representations Of their
business. The militia company did some
good drilling which was watched by
many people. Then came the sports
Joe II. Bell won the 100-yard foot race,
Charles Wells winning second. The
50.yard race for boys under l6 years was
won by Elmer Render, the second being
John Nox. In the sack race Charles
Wells came out first and Brad Bradshaw
second Albra Harrington won first in
the egg race and William Beadle second.
The CREASED pole furnished amusement
for long time. Many were the vain
attempts made to gain the top. Jess
Bruner won at last. In the three legged
race Bradshaw and Bell got first and
Geo. and Chas. Wells second. II. N.
Carper was the valorous horseman who
won first in the ring ride and b. Brad
shaw second.
|. The fireworks of the evening were a
fitting finale to pleasant day. The
display was gorgeous and beautiful and
was witnessed by townful of people.