The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-01
OUR FIRST FOURTH
Initial Celebration Lasted
More Than a Month.
1t Began at Philadelphia on
July s, 1875.
WAS SHOOTING And DRINKING
Festivities Followed the Read
ing of the Declaration.
Statute of George III Pulled
Down in New York.
Was SHOOTING AND DRINKING
BY LOIS RoRINErrE.

The first Fourth Of July 'Hurrah''
lasted more than a month. One hum
dred and thirty-three years ago, on
July 8, 1875, the Declaration was read
in Phila delphia, and was received with
great applause. In the evening the
coat of arms of the late king was
brought from the state house and
burnt amidst the acclamations of a
crowd of spectators. Bonfires were
lighted, the houses were illuminated,
and II was not till a thunder shower at
midnight compelled the people to re-
tire, that the sounds of revelry and
rejoicing were hushed.
At Princeton, n. J., that night Mas
sau Hall was brilliantly Illuminated
and independence proclaimed under a
triple volley of musketry and universal
reclamation for the prosperity of the
colonies.
The Declaration reached Dover.
Del, on July 6, while the election
The election was stopped and the Dec
laration read. The committee of
safety sent for a picture of King
George and made the drummer of the
infantry bear it before the president
They then marched two and two
around the square. Then they formed
n circle around a fire, built in the
middle of the square for that purpose,
and the president of the committee
committed it to the flames with these
words: Compelled by strong neces-
sity, thus we destroy even thes hadow
of that king who refused to reign
over free people"
Received by Washington.
The Declaration was received by
Washington at his headquarters in
New York on July 9. Immediately
the brigades were formed in hollow
squares on their respective paradeS
and the Declaration was read to them.
One of the brigades was encamped
SarI ~ I11 ste Thiah 1l-
low square was formed about the
spot where the park fountain stands
Washington was within the square on
horseback and the Declaration was
read in a clear voice by one of his
aides. When it was concluded three
hearty cheers were given. The same
evening the equestrian statue of
George the Third was pulled down,
and, being mostly composed of lead,
was subsequently made into bullets
for the Colonial army
On the following day all persons
imprisoned for debt were released and
New York continued the celebration
to the 18th, when the Declaration was
read at the City Hall, after which the
British arms from over the seat of
justice at the court house were torn
down and burned, and the picture
of King George was broken up and
burned.
At Worcester. Mass, there was
GGAED1dNlOAA Oh y ulS To- L nc bGlAS w q
rung and the drums beaten. The
Declaration of Independence was read
and there was shouting, firing of mus
kerry and cannon, bonfires and other
demonstrations of joy. The arms of
the king were burned. All of this
was followed by a banquet partici-
pated in by a select company of the
Sons of Freedom at which twenty
four toastS were proposed and washed !
down with stimulants. After that one
a lfffIa EuTnriSa6 a the Stafp-
ment of the historian that ''the great
est decency and good order was OBJ
served and at suitable time each
man returned to his respective home"
1t Reaches Boston.
At Boston on the 18th there was a
roared from Fort Hill, Dorchester
Neck, the Castle and Nantasket and
Point Alderton thirteen shots each,
which was followed by the firing of
salutes of thirteen rounds by each of
the thirteen divisions into which the
military had been divided. The final
number was a collation. at which
the gentlemen of the council drank |
toasts. The bells were runG and the |
arms of the king were burned in King |
street.
The Declaration reached New
Hampshire on July IS, and there was /
p military display, ringing of bells, |
firing of salutes and shouting at
Portsmouth, afterwards to become |
famous as the place where the Rus |
slams and japanese made their treaty |
of peace.
until August 5. Here was military |
display with beating of drums and !
flying colors. The Declaration was
read and there was patriotic speech
by the Rev. VIM Percy.
1t is related that the day was hot. |
that Mr. Parrv'S black n l
held an umbrella over his head and |
famed him while he spoke.
At East Greenwich. r. L, there was
a big celebration, which was followed |
twelve rounds of drinks to as many |
toasts, the last of which was: May |
liberty expand her wings, and In |
glorious effort diffuse her influence |
Ger and DER the globe"
Down In Dixie.
The celebration at Savannah, Ca,
was elaborate. When the council re- !
ceiyed the declaration on August 10, |
they gathered the people around the |
square before the assembly house and |
read it to them. after which the mill |
tary fired salutes- Then both the |
paraded to the liberty pole, where |
they were met by the Georgia bat |
talon which, after a second reading !
of the Declaration. discharged their !
IlelQ pieces anu Ilred IN pialOOnS. |
After this they proceeded to the bat |
terry, where the Declare ton was read j
for the third and last time and the |
cannon OF the battery was discharged. !
This was followed by a dinner under /
the cedar trees
In the evening the town was IL /
Illuminated and there was exhibited a /
solemn funeral procession. at which 1
the drums were muffled and a greater
number of the people were present /
than annRarad Sfc
before in thai province, when figure /
of George the Third was inferred be-