The copper era., 1903-07-09
GLORIOUS INDIE
 PENDENCE DAY.
We'll and Liberally Responded to at
 Duncan.

vas all that could be desired even by the most chronic growlers and we are pleased to report that for once at any rate. their lamentations were con- -picIoua by their absence.
 Even old Jupiter Pluv jus stayed his dispcn-ations, and in respect to the anniversary, refused to allow the ele- mcnts to mar the enjoyment of the day.
 The trains from Clifton and Mo- rcnci left and returned to and from Duncan during the day, and until q late hour at night. loaded with happy cxcursionist5 bent on seeing and being seen.
 The ladies and children large and small, were specially noticeable by their happy faces and graceful and gay attire. The representatives of the masculine gender sometimes styled the "lords of creation,n appeared to vic with each other in their politeneas and assiduOus care of the fair sex, who demonstrated their appreciation by gracious smiles and acknowledge mcuts.
 The children, boys and girls, formed a happy, picturesque feature in the festivities and ilIumined the memOr- able occasion with their happy faces and joyous peals of laughter through out the entire day. No accident Oc- cured from first to last, to mar the successful celebration and many times the writer's thoughts were drawn back in history and with others he vainly regretted that the immortal George Washington, aptly termed the "fathcr Of our country" could not once again look down on our western territories and their sons and daughter still patiently knocking at the doors of our national congress for admit tance to tatehood. When will politics cease to be d curse, instead of a bless ing to our unlOn?
 In this relation, it is not only just but cminently proper to notice the en- tire absence of political prejudice or party feeling, as evidenced in the oratOrical exercises at Duncan. No- bly was their duty performed by each one of those who had been selected and invited to address the residents and invited guests of Duncan. Not a word was uttered, not thought sug- gcstcd, to which the most skeptical could take exception, and every re- mark was backed and sent home by the undoubtcd aud unqucstioned authority of history. Democrats and rcpubli- cans were loud and sincere in their expressions of approval, and their de- monstratious of national loyalty to the grand old flag.
 In fact the speeches made were I were also cminently instructive to the young and old among the hundreds of those who were fortunate enough to be present.
 No host in his own house could have ovincod more solicitude, for the com fort and entertainment of his guests, than that evidenced by the care and generous hospitality shown by the ladies and gentlemen composing the commi ttccs of reception and enter tainmcnt.
 Even the locomotives of the A. & x. NJ. R. H., under the manipulation of thcIr engineers and the liberal feeding of their iiremcn, appeared to be inn bucd with the national spirit of patri- otism, and presisted in backing and going ahead, with yells and shrieks of approval which were continued at in tcryals during the opening 6ration of the Hon. Col. Wilson, and opposite the main platform, located in the grateful shades of cotton wood trees.
 The honorable gentleman alluded to modestly signiticd his satisfaction at tho aforesaid tribute to his forensic efforts, by maintaining a dignificd silence and casting glances ot intense gratitude at the cause of interruptions.
 The exercises opened by America" furnished by brass band of fourteen pieces and well rendered, after which the following programme was ob- served;
 Reading of the Declaration of h. dcpcndence-Rev. James.
 Opening address of the day elo- quently and forcibly delivered Wilson
 Brief. but appropriate address District Attorney Rawlins.
 The next orator of the day to ad- dress the meeting was the Hon. A. G. followed hy Probate Judge |. C. Little, both of which gentlemen showed q thorough knowledge of their subject, and dcservedly won the en- thusiastic plaudits of the interested audience.
 At this interval, Col. Wilson, who had been selected for that purpose, presented to the citizens of Duncan, by two young ladies, silk star spangled ban ner, manufactured in Washington, D. c., at cost of $10O, and donated to the banner democratic precinct of Gra- ham county by Mark Smith and Col. Wilson.
 The flag was accepted by the Misses Gardner and Dunagan on behalf of the democrats and citizens Of Duncan.
 Before the actual acceptance how ever, by the young ladies alluded to.