White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1914-06-28
FOURTH Of JULY
IN EARLY TIMES
FIRST CELEBRATIONS OF Ma
TONS BIRTHDAY MERE MARK
ED BY PATRIOTIC ENTHUSIASM
AND DIGNITY OF ACTION.

The letter has become historic
that one In which John ADAMS pre-
-dicted the coming celebration OF the
Fourth of July. II am apt to be-
lieve," he wrote. that IT (the day.
will be celebrated by succ ,cding gen.
erations. as the great anniversary fes-
tival. 1t ousa' TO be com,nsm rated
as the day of ~deliveren"e by solemn
acts of devotion to God Almighty:
II ought to be soleminized with pomp
and parade. with shows. games.
sports. guns, bells. bonfires and
Nominations from one end of
this continent to the other. from
this time foreyermore."
His prediction has become so true
that now We seek to curtail the
bombast of the day as a rank over
growth not foreseen by our FORE
fathers. A proud, glad time, the ma
tons birthday; a time. not for I'M
worthy and Injurious celebration,
but for renewal OF loyal citizenship.
and for private rejoicing in the
privilege OF American citizenship.
The first celebration by congress
of the Fourth has been preserved to
us in a letter to his daughter pAnned
by that same splendid old John
Adams.
Yesterday being the anniversary
of American Independence was eele-
brated here with the ifstivity and
ceremony becoming the occasion. |
am too old to delight In pretty de-
scriptlons. II | had a talent for them.
otherwise a picture might be drawn
which would please the fancy of a
Whig. at least. The thought of TAX
ing any notice of this day was not
conceived until the third. II was
I 90 late to have a sermon. as every
one wished. so this must be deferred
to another year. Congress deter
mined TO adjourn over that day. and
to dine together. The general off,
GERS and others in town were In
vited after the president and council
and board of war of this state.
I'm the morning the Della ware
frigate. several large gaIleys and
other continental armed vessels
galleys and guard-boats were hauled
on in the river. and several of them
beautifully dressed in the coiors of
al. nations displayed about the
masts. yards and rigging. At one
O'Clock the ships were all manned:
that Is. the men were all ordered
alpft and arranged upon the ~topyards
and shrouds. making a striking ap-
pearance OF companies of men
draw n up IN order in the air"
He tells how he went on board
with the president and the marine
committee. Each armed vessel hred
10 s%alutes. then the galleys and gun
boats. lie describes much shouting
and huzzaing. I'm a manner which
gave great JOY to every friend OF this
country. and the utmost terror and
dismay to every lurking Tory"
Dining at three. they we're "agree-
ably entertained with excellent COM
pany. good cheer. fine music from
the band of Hessians taken at Tren-
ton, and continual volleys between
every toast from a company OF
soldiers drawn up In Second street
before the city tavern. where we din
ed" Maneuyers on the common by
light horse and trains of artillery.
and a thousand infantary filled the
day ~agreeab1y for the crowd.
I'm the evening I was walking about
the streets for a little fresh air and
exercise, and was surprised to find
the whole city lighting up their AN
dies at the windows. I walked most
of the evening. and l think 1t was the
most splendid illumination I ever
saw few sur1y houses were drak.
but the lights were very universal.
Considering the ~lateness OF the de-
sign, and the suddennesss OF the ex-
ecution. | was amazed at the uni
versal Joy and alacrity that was dis
covered. and at the brilliancy and
s%plendor of every part OF this joyful
exhibition. ] forgot the ringing
OF the bells all day. and the bonfires
in the streets. and the fireworks
played of. Had General Howe been
here in disguise. or his master. this