Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1898-02-19

Next - The Fourth Of July. She
birthday of Washington. the Father Of
his Country. has been most fOndly
remembered by Americans. and. al.
though its celebration is conducted on
\ less elaborate scale than that given
% the birthday % independence. il
has Away been regarded as a DAY
typical OF the noblest and highest
American patriotism. The methods
usej IA csmmemOratiug the anniver-
sary Of the birth 81 our hrst President
have changed considerably ia recent
years. Those visible demonstration
of patriotic o-dor so zealously dis
played in the early days have given
way 20 quietcr expressions Of National
feeling hui these. however. indicate
no Weakening in patriotic spirit or
sincere love for those who 80 success
fsiiy guided our country through .hc
,-ouh.o4s years ~ ats existence.
Washington had the satisfaction Of
.-ercivin1 the CONGRATULATIONS % Dis
fel.o~-citizen~ many times upon Che
return OF has birthday. frequently be-
ing guest at ,le hauluets given DO
honor az thc occasion. Ia fact. Wash
ington's Birthday practically took the
place after the Revolution Of lhe
birthday of the various crowned heads
Of Great Britain. always celebrated
vlll SO much enthusiasm luli-- Co
lonial Tunes. When independence
was established an these ROYAL bIr,l.
Gays were re,cga.ei 20 abicct insig-
niEcance. and the birthday of Wash
ingt1l naturally became one ~ she
most conspicuous in tae calender Of
american holidays.
II may be interesting a. ;lis time b.
look back uDon those early DAYS Of
our Republic and see how orr worthy
ancestor. attestei o. their admiration
Cor their great General aud the first
President ~ their country. Bus the
people dhi no. want unul Washington
wa~ raised O. the highest position his
country could give him before
ronoriuC his birthday One Of the
earliest celebrations az which we have
ANY record was in 1854. IN New York
City. aud this was the first public
celebration OF Washington Birthday
here. SAYS the New York Times The
British troops had cvacuatei New
York City barely three months before.
sud IL was gradually recovering from
the distresses of the long war The
-teisoassrltiors we're aos very elabor-
ate. but they were intensely patriotic
The day 90 that time was celebrated
February ]. the date OF Washington
birth. according 20 the old calendar.
and IN newspaper % February H..
1881. We find this interesting account
of this hrs; New York celebrations
Wednesday last being the birth iav
81 his Excellency. General Washing
ton. the same was celebrated here by
all the trae friends OF American INDIE
pcndencc aud Constitutional Liberty
with tba. h.iarity aud manly decorum
ever attendant on the Sons OF Free
dom In che evening an entertain
ment was given on board the East IN
tia ship IN this harbour to a very
hrillian. and respectable company.
and discharge OF thirteen cannoi.
was fired on this Joyful occasion.
\ club called "a select Club OF
Wings assembled IN New York on the
evening of February il. aud briel
account Of It's meeting was sen. % the
New York Gazette. with al amusing
song. written. a was stated. especially
for tins occasion. As sample Of this
-Gnsion OF poetical patriotism, the fol-
lowing stanzas viii reveal something
81 tie spiri- Of that occasion.