The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1901-07-11
ON THE FOURTH.
Grand Celebration of the Day at Paddock's
Lake-A Large Crowd.

Lake-A Large Crowd.
The celebration of the nations birth
day anniversary by the Old Settlers
club at Paddock lake was an event long
to be remembered with joy and glad
ness. It was large and enthusiastic
gathering of patriotic people. The
pavilion was gayly decorated with
profusion of flags and bunting and IN
itself was an inspiration to patriotic
feelings. At three quarters after
twelve the band took it's place on the
stage and by the time the second selec-'
ton was played the pavilion was filled
and the view from the stage was a sea
of smiling happy faces. The exercises
were opened by singing America"
led by Mr.. G.. r. Mcdowell the audience
joining. This hymn never grows less
in pathos, faith, and inspiration and
on this occasion was led and sung
with a will. An expressive and elo-
quent prayer was then offered by the
Chaplain Rev. E. N. Andrews. The
immortal declaration was splendidly
read by Gerald R. Mcdowell of Keno
sha. One could afford to travel far to
listen to this gent1eman's artistic and
spirited rendition. The great feature
of the day was the GRAFTON by our tai
ented and beloved representative Hon.
| Henry A. Cooper.
The gentleman commenced his elo-
quent effort by saying he was proud OF
the honor of having an invitation to
! address the old settlers on occasion
like this. One of the points made was
introduced by the question: What is
the significance of the Fourth of July
and why do we celebrate it? In elo-
quent periods the gentleman painted a
vivid picture of the convention held by
| the delegates of the thirteen colonies
in the city of Philadelphia at which
| the Declaration of Independence was
adopted and sent forth to the world as
their justification for annulling their
allegiance to Great Britain and found
| ing a government of their own.
Another important point made was
his exposition of the basic principles
of monarchia1 governments and those
of our republic. Kings and emperors
assumed and declared that they were
rulers by divine right; that the people
were subject to them and of themselves
had no rights and were simply granted
by the favor of their rulers such priv
1eges as they deemed best. In our
republic every citizen was sovereign
| and no one could rule except by the con-
sent of the governed. The eloquent
speaker showed the propriety and nee
essity of teaching the young patriotic
principles, that although great public
questions had been deCisive1y settled
on the forum and on the field of battle
there yet remained great questions to
be decided in the future. If more of
the youth of Kenosha county could
have listened to the patriotic utter
ances of the speaker Of the day it
would have been we'll for them.
The Fourth of July and it's observ-
ance as a great National holiday would
become to them an event of great i'm
portance, to be celebrated in digni-
fed, intelligent manner.
The singing of patriotic pieces was
a pleasant feature of our celebration.
Mr.. Mcdowell sang us a solo, "The
Star Spang1ed Banner" and Prof
Trenary, of Kenosha, gave a solo
"The Red White and Blue" in both OF
which the audience joined in the
chorus. Both gentlemen are entitled
to the thanks of all for their valuable
services.
The Union Grove Cornet band sup
piled the music, and was an enjoyable
feature.
Refreshments of all kinds were
served in abundance on the grounds
The people were amply supplied with
pure drinking water from the deep wei
on the premises. Three water tanks
supplied with tin cups, were set in con
venient places. The grounds are now
lighted at night by five frst-class
street lamps.
Our celebration was a digni6et
affair, and lacked nothing in spirit
ioyfu1ness and glory.
A rising vote of thanks was tender
ed our reader and orator of the day
the ladies waving their handkerchief
and the gentlemen their hats.
r. T. ROBERTS, Sec.