The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-07-05
A Great Day Celebrated
in Ideal Style.
Is OUR DECLARATION
The Subject of Fervent and Eloquent
Oratory---Great Speeches Of Gov.
Aycock, Judge Clark, DR..
Winston..Day and Night
PYrotechnICs.

The GLORIOUS Fourth has come and
gone and Raleigh has been happy in
a revival of a popular demonstration
that was carried off in sumptuous
style and which was unique in its
character in the history of the city
With a bright day, warm enough
for the women to be al in white, the
men in summer negligee. yet not too
hot, with an elaborate display of Won
derful daylight fireworks, a great and
representative meeting which called
forth three of the best Fourth of
July speeches delivered in a genera
uon, and with a lavish display of
pyrotechnics at night, shown off on
an inky sky, the conditions were ideal.
When in addition, it may be said
with truth that the crowd was large
yet so orderly as to be almost unob-
truSive; that there was absolutely no
drunkenness, and no arrests, it will
be seen that the occasion was one that
was a credit to itself and to the city.
To the Junior Order of American
Mechanics, who started the move
ment and 70 the committee that car
ried out the arrangements so admira-
bly, under the lead of Mr.. Edward L.
Conn, too much praise cannot be
given.
The people who were here enjoyed
themselves to the fullest degree and
yet it was an enjoyment, "a holiday
that will bring no regrets.
The day in its meaning, marks one
more of the many steps that have been
taken by North and South toward a
more complete obliteration of section
al lines, a more thorough forgetful-
ness of the lingering sting inherited
sell
of the civil war.
The Patriotic Meeting.
At IL o'clock Metropolitan Hall was
we'll filled, not crowded to suffocation,
with a representative body of citizens
and visitors, who had gathered to hear
the Governor. Judge CarN1 and DR..
Winston speak of and concerning the
Declaration of Independence.
On the platform was a large choir
under the direction of Prof Wade r.
Brown, which had been specially
trained for the occasion, the speakers
of the day, Major J.. b. Hill. Messrs.
j. j. Thomas. G.. r. Johnson, n. b.
Broughton, Rcv. j. c. Massee, Rev
DR.. Moment, Rev. DR.. Marshall, Chair
man a. A. Thompson.
The Raleigh band, newly organized
for the accession, played at intervals
in manner and with Il dash that
showed earnest practice.
The exercises opened with prayer
by DR.. Alfred Moment, who said:
Our God, our Father God, God of
our nation, God of man and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, to Thee
we come in Acknowledgement of
good; we come as a nation, in graft
tude for the kindnesses that have
been vouchsafed us, for everything i'm
which WE laid. We beseech Thee gra-
ciouSly to look upon us; we need
Thee; we need Thy wisdom, Thy guild
ing power, Thy aid towards right
eous conduct. God help us to put
upon Thy altar the sacrifice of II
broken and a contrite spirit Bless
thou this great nation, lead it to the
light. to the knowledge Of the right
to attain thy ends, and those of Him.
Thy Son. Lift up, oh, Jehovah, this
Great Republic and grant 1T Thy
benediction. Bless the Governor of
this State and all who are assocta-
It'd with him. Bless the President
and those upon whom rests the adj
ministration of this Great Common
wealth. and. now. oh, Lord, may we
as individuals and as a people, trust
Thee and strive to the right and to the
glory of Thy name and to Thee we
bring the praise and the power and
ask Thy blessing of these people here
Gathered-fhe blessing of God the
Father, God the Son and God the
Holy Ghost. Amen!"
At the conclusion of the prayer,