The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-07-04
SOME OLD TIME
CELEBRATIONS

Parades, dinners and the drinking OF as
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 overtndulgence in fireworks, because
fireworks 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 lefore-
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 1855 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 its
glorious events never be effaced from our
memories; may the blessings It has con-
ferred be as lasting an the globe we in
habit and may each 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 invari-
ably opened with a discharge of cannon
from the Battery. A parade Of the 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 and
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 oration
In the evening every tavern and coffee
house had special Fourth of July dinner.
This latter custom was universal No
hamlet was so small that 1t 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-
cording to a newspaper account at the
time, the Fourth Of July, AoJ4, 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 conl-
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 at Potts
grove Montgomery county, Pa, is inter-
estlng not only for the picture of rural
enjoyment, but as a sample of the jour-
nalistic writing commonly seen in the
early newspapers:
1.-TWO fieldpieces, cheerfully served, sent
abroad in the forenoon the lofty report Of
both fun and frolic by sixteen we'll timed
and successive discharges. Joy bGamed 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
its attendant speeches, and in concluding
the writer adds:
The 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 feasted to a late hour upon socs,
sentiment and rosy wine."--EeT IorE
Times.