Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1907-07-05
SOME OLD Time
CELEBRATIONS

L ICtut T. dIHd NV iiiiniA5 IA SS
many toasts as there were states in the
union formed the characteristic features
Of the early Fourth of July celebrations.
There was less noise a century ago than
Is usually the case today and absolutely
no overindulgence In fireworks, because
drs~yoxAs were so scare that their use was
| practically restricted to the public gar
dens. These popular resorts, of which
there were several in New York, Boston,
Philadelphia and other large cities. were
careful to announce, often weeks before
hand, the attractions prepared for the an
niversary day. Nearly every town and
village could point with pride to revolu-
tionary veterans, and the presence OF
these warriors who had contributed their
share toward making the declaration OF
independence mean something to the coun-
try added to the deep personal interest in
the day. The love for their young coun-
try rang out true and clear In every ora
ton and after dinner toast. The follow
ing toast, given by the merchants OF New
York In 17S5 at the Tontine coffee house,
Is but a sample Of many which the day
always called forth:
The auspic,ous day that rescued our
country from the hated yoke Of foreign
tyranny and gave US honorable rank
among the nations Of the earth-may It's
glorious events never be effaced from our
memories; may the blessings 1t has con-
habit and may Zach revolving year find
US more united, more happy and more
free.
During the early years Of the last CEN
fury the celebration In New York tnvart-
ably opened with a discharge Of cannon
from the Battery. A parade OF h militia
and volunteer rife organizations, accom-
panied by the leading societies of the city.
in which Tammany was always well rep
resented, marched through Broadway be-
low the present city hall, Wall street n
some Of the other thoroughfares
After a march Of about an hour the
paraders filed into st. Pauls or some other
prominent church, where the declaration
Of independence was always read, fol-
lowed by an Grafton.
In the evening every tavern and coffee
house had a special Fourth OF July dinner.
This latter custom was universal. No
hamlet was SO small that It could not
gather its company Of patriotic diners In
the village tavern, where their enthusiasm
was displayed in repeated protestations Of
loyalty to their country. {.
The residents of Brooklyn 100 years ago
were not to be outdone by their friends in
the greater city across the river, as, ac-
cord.ng to a newspaper account at the
time, the Fourth of July, Io4. was cele-
brated in Brooklyn as follows:
The military OF Kings county assembled
at the town Of Brooklyn TO celebrate the
day. At sunrise a salute Of seventeen
guns was fired. The uniform corps Of the
troop OF horse, republican rifiemen, WASH
ington fusileers and the Rising Sun com
panies formed on Brooklyn Heights at 10
o'clock and marched through Sands street,
Main street, Front street, up old Ferry
street. to the parade ground.
Later In the day there were dinners In
the various taverns and the customary
toasts.
An account of a celebration 1t Potts
grove, Montgomery county, Pa, Is inter-
enjoyment. but as a sample of the jour
early newspapers:
1.-TWO fieldpieces, cheerfully served. sent
abroad In the forenoon the lofty report OF
both fun and frolic by sixteen well timed
and successive discharges. Joy beamed on
every brow: the green valleys and distant
hills participated IN the gladness Of the
day by reverberating the magnificent and
far sent sounds Of liberty and independ-
ence."
Mention Is then made Of the dinner. with
it's attendant speeches, and in concluding
the writer adds:
TT retired sun had just by this time
let in the gloomly shade Of night, upon
which the company betook themselves to
the tavern OF James Kinkead. where they
enjoyed themselves with sprightly dance
and Toasted to a late hour upon song,
sentiment and rosy wine.'-New York
Times.