New-York tribune., 1908-07-05
M4NY CELEBRATIONS.
First Reading of Declaration at City
Hall Since Washington's Time.

The celebrations yesterday of the order
were numerous. The weather of the all
sorts variety, guaranteeing to please nearly all
the time. The exodus from town said to be not
great in former years. The excursion boats
crowded. and the regular boats to Coney
Island and other shore resorts carried as many
they could hold on some trips, but not on all
The celebration that attracted the most attention
conducted by boys from Brooklyn in City Hall
Park. The Junior Order Of American Patriots and
the Junior Branch of the Anti-Profanity League
of the Bushwick section, the South Bushwck Ca
dets the League of the Red, White and Blue the
Messenger Cadet Corps, Fort Wayne Council,
49, ]. o. L. A. M. and the War Veterans and
Sons Association, all of Brooklyn, marched over
to this island; the post band at Fort Hamil-
furnished the music, and the 64th Company of
coast artillery and detachment of marines from
the navy yard gave the affair real martial effect
The park cleared by the police. About one
thousand persons gathered in front of the City
Hall steps and America" sung. Then, for
the time this spot since the Declaration Of
Independence read there in the presence or
George Washington and his troops, on July g. 1776.
itAwas read again in the presence OF the boys and
the crowd attracted the scene. Men uncovered
and gave the closest attention. William A. Matt-
son. the reader. is descendant of John Hart, of
New Jersey one of the sgners. Representative
c. B. Law delivered address.
A S. Coborne who was in charge of the exer-
cises in his opening talk said:
This is the time and the place to learn some
thing about independence Day Let the good peo-
nIe from foreign lands learn what this country is
and how benefcent her laws If they are not
satisfied with them let them return 70 the lands
peIied to pay for extra protection because lives
and property endangered from certain d1scon-
tented elements
Colonel w De Hertburn Washington de-
scendant of brother of the first President, gave
an account of the first reading of the Declara-
ton and said in closing that the custom started
yesterday good one and should be con-
tinued Before the celebration was closed Coz
onel Washington remarked that the city should
have an historical museum.
The bows placed a wreath the statue of
Nathan Hale and then went through Broadway
to Bowling Green, Frauncess Tavern, to Wall
street 10 the Sub-Treasury. where wreath was
placed on the statue of George Washington
The Department of Charities boat Thomas S
Brennan, moored at the department pier at East
26th street, received a shower of fire from fall
ing balloon late in the evening. but watchman
put out the sparks. Nurses on the pier saw me
balloon come down, and thought 1t was about 10
fall upon them. They accordingly screamed and
ran. II missed them by about five hundred feet
AT Grants Tomb sixty members Of the Young
Mems Hebrew Association, who have head
quarters at Lexington avenue and s2d street, held
patriotic services. Benjamin Davis. former
president of the association, delivered address
After Irving SpeIlman had spoken the young men
placed a wreath in the tomb
The flag was raised the historic bockhouse
Davis a Civil War veteran and the oldest employe
in the park At the Battery the flag went up at
the same time on the pole in front Of the Barge
Office At the old blockhouse DR.. and Mrs c. l.
Morehouse Of No 39s West Goth street, appeared
with a small crowd. and after Dr. Morehouse had
delivered prayer Mrs. Morehouse read the
Declaration Of independence.
The patients in, the Manhattan State Hospital
for the Insane had a Fourth There were
no crackers big little, but the Declaration was
read 10 them by Dr.. Mabon, the superintendent.
The ASYLUM played patriotic airs In the
evening there was a display of rockets and Roman
candles.
Tanmany had music by a band but there was
q listlessness about the headquarters owing to the
exodus 10 Denver. There was speaking before
small crowd The Lgurian League, composed of
natives Of Genoa the Province of Liguria Italy,
gave festival at the Manhattan Casino, both
street and Eighth This was the thirteenth
celebration the day by the society, and members
said that it was under the special patronage Of
President Roosevelt and the Italian Amba ssador
and Consul General
over in Brooklyn fifvfve councils Of the Knights
of Columbus held celebration at Prospect Park.
Justice Luke D. Stapleton, of the Supreme Court,
presided and the orator Representative Bennet.
Another celebration that of the Kings High
way Board of Trade. There was music, speaking
and in the afternoon, athletic events. The United
Irish League Of Brooklyn, Clanna- Gael and many
other organizations held big picnics in the neigh
borinc resorts In the afternoon the Brooklyn Dis
cpIinary Training School, at Eighteenth avenue and
10th street held parade and the band after
ward played for the inmates.
courpNOp HAS QJTIET HOLIDAY