The Republican journal., 1914-07-09

NOW leI Us SiHs.
Happy and glorious,
Great and victorious,
May he reign over u.s.
And not the King.
After the cloth was removed, regular
toasts were drunk, accompanied by the
discharge of cannon and enlivening airs OF
music. Volunteer toasts were given by
the Hon. John Wilson, DR.. Poor, George
Watson, R. C. johnson, Joseph William
son, Judge Crosby, Franklin Tinkham,
Col. A. w. Anterior, N. H. Bradbury
and Hugh j. Anderson, That of Mr..
Wilson, as follows, was fair specimen
of the sentiment to which the occasion
and its Accomplishments gave BIRTH
"Maine, an Independent State. May her
legislature possess the patriotism OF FOX
and the intelligence of Pitt; her Judges
the science of Mansfield and decision OF
Holt; her Orators the lightning of Clc-
ero and the thunder of Demosthenes.
The celebration July 4th, 1924. by the
Belfast Light Infantry, was along slml-
lar lines. The Hon. William Crosby pre-
sided at the table, assisted by George
Watson, Esq. An ode composed Tor
the occasion by William G. Crosby, Esq,
was sung to the tune of Adams and Lib
erty, and elected great applause. Toasts
were given by the presiding officers and
by Col. Daniel Lane, Alfred Johnson,J
Major William Salmond, DR.. J. P. Alden,
Capt. Joel Hills, Capt. Joseph Smith,
Joseph Williamson, Ralph c. johnson,
Hezekiah Williams, William G. Crosby,
William Stevens, Hugh ]. Anderson and
James W. Webster, Esq. In 1926 ser
mon appropriate to the occasion was
preached by Bishop George at the Meth
odist church. At the First Parish church
an Grafton was delivered by Mr.. Nathan
lei Wells and the Declaration OF lnde-
pendence was read by Mr.. Halves. This
is the first mention we find of the read
ing of the Declaration, which was
feature of many subsequent celebra-
lions. In 1888 it is recorded that mo
ardent spirits were used at the tables"
but in 1910 the historian says that
''hard cider" was freely used as a bever-
age. In 1885 there was Democratic
Republican celebration" which was the
subject of one of David Barker's poems.
John w. Frost, ESQ.,, delivered an ora
ton and Albert Pilsbury, ESQ.,, read the
Declaration. Bothiwere young men just
admitted to the bar. Mr.. Pilsbury
studied law in the office of H. o. Alden,
ESQ.,, and attended the Harvard law
school, and Mr.. Frost was student with
Judge johnson. He later engaged IN
Journalism in New Orleans and was kill
ed there in duel in 1851. In 1889 the
celebration included the first display of
fireworks ever seen here. In 1852 we
find the first mention of the firemen
taking part in the parade, and in 1873, in
addition to the local companies, Hydrant
Engine Co. No. 2, and Washington En-
CINE Co. No. 5, the procession included
the E. P. Walker Engine Co. of vinal-
haven, Waterville Engine Co. No. 8, and
General Berry Engine Co. Of Rockland.
At trial of the engines the Gen. Berry
of Rockland threw a stream 2l2 feet.
distancing her competitors. Hon. A. G.
Jewett delivered the address, and the his
torian says: "A novel feature of the
occasion was free supply of ice water
at every public corner" 1t is further
recorded that "Over ten thousand
strangers were in the city during the
dav. and the best of order prevailed.
Such were some of the early celebra-
tiops. and we find no mention in the re-
ports given of them of the appearance
in the parade of the variously called
Antiques, Fantasies or Horribles. COM
m on elsewhere in the State. They are
mentioned in the second volume of Will
liamson's History as appearing in 1880,
1892 and 1852 The Grafton, ode and
reading of the Declaration of lndepend-
ence long since ceased to appear in the
july 4th programs, and ''the roar OF
cannon" was heard no more. Then, we
regret to say, this observance of the
Nation natal day degenerated into what
NAV well be called hoodlumism and the
occasion was looked forward to with
dread and endured as best one could. The
racket was sometimes begun two days
before the 4th and continued the day
after. We recall one year when the
hurch bells were rung all the night be.
fore and the Universalist bell was runG
all the next day, and was only stopped
about 6 p. M, when night watchmar
George w. Frisbee came down town.
Cannon crackers were thrown under the
feet of pedestrians and horses and pri
vate property destroyed to furnish ma
terial for bonfires. Happily such dem
constructions are Of the past. The coun'
, try-wide demand for safe and sane OBJ
servance of the day has been recognised