The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-07-12

10 be remembered in our country 8
history, for aside from the memory Of
great battle fought and won by
American sailors, and which in itself
deserves commemoration.
How different is this Fourth of July
in its memories from any that have
preceded il! Heretofore we have cele-
brated the day IN memory Of declaring
our independence from England. To-
day we also celebrate the day in memo
~ Of our victories over a foreign
power, and in those victories were en-
couraged by the friendly attitude of
England.
The Fourth Of July Of 1899 begins
another year of our independence,
which is SO different from any years Of
the past. New problems, new condi-
,ions and new peoples. must be held in
mind, and carefully thought Of in all
.he steps we take in the future.
And what difference there is be-
tween the people who celebrate this
Fourth Of July, and those who made
it memorable long years ago.
Instead Of less than two millions
who called themselves Americans,
there are over seventy millions, and
instead Of the thirteen colonies there
is a country that extends from sea to
sea- and includes the islands of the
sea.
Iii day redolent with memories,
some Of sorrow and some of joy, but
Of few of which there is need to be
ashamed.
The first event that made the day
famous and dear to the hearts Of the
American people was when fifty-six
men met in the State House Of Phila-
dclphia and declared the thirteen
colonies free and independent States.
The first celebration was held in
Philadelphia on the 8th Of July of the
same year. In the yard of the State
House John Nixon read the Dcclara-
ton Of independence, and the king S
eoat-of arms was torn down amidst
huzzas Of the people. Before each of
the five battalions the Declaration was
read on the common, and at night
bonhres illuminated the city and bells
apd cannon gave vent to their entlu-
siasnl,
In New York on July 9th the De-
claration was read in the presence of
the army and the famous statue of
George III was torn from its place in
Bowling Green and beheaded and
burned in bonfire.
The day was not celebrated in Bos-
ton until July 18th, as it was not until
then the news reached Boston. The
lion and unicorn were t9Th from the
State House, and though late, the
celebration was as enthusiastic as in
a!her cities.
After this it became. a custom on
every Fourth to fire thirteen cannons
IN memory Of the thirteen colonies.
10 1888 the oration was introduced
into the celebration exercises, and on
that day josiah Quincy made mem
= orable oration.
4 The Fourth has been day repletc
with country's sorrows as we'll as re-
8 l0lcings. It is the anniversary of the
4 deaths Of many famous men, and the
anniversary of many national sorrows.
4 On the Fourth Of July fifty years
after the Declaration Of independence,
q two Of the signers, one being tho
4 draughtsman of that document, passed
away. John Adams and Thomas JEFF
4 ierson. around whose names American
\ history has placed some Of her proud
8 est laurels, breathed their last on that
i day.
q IN the Fourth Of July, 1881, James
q Monroe died in New York city. An
other name that history has not for
y gotten, and whose ststesmanship
i marked out o policy his country fol-
u lowed years after he was in his grave.
4 Another not so prominent, but we'll
a remembered, was Hannibal Hamlin,
Who died at Bangor, Me-, July 4, 1890.
During the civil war the Fourth was
8 e0mmemorated for some victory or
kept in sorrow for some defeat.
Then there was no thought of re-
lole'ng over country's freedom, when
mat country was divided against itself
and engaged in as bloody and as disas-
u sous war as the world has ever seen.
In 1861 Big Bethel had just been
Won by the Southern troops, and in
all the South there was JOY for the
y Victory, while in the North there was
Tue sorrowof defeat and death. On
;S3 this dav a1oo asrhs Ck.A..