The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-07-03

Many communities in this and Servances of the naion's birthday official cogn.zance of the occasion until North Carolina acted seven years after the signing of the Dec- laration of Independence in Phila- delphia on July 4, 1776.
 In those days there were no trains, no telegraph lines, no radio. Travel normally was by sailboat over sea and by horse or afoot on land. Even these means of com munication were hindered by the war, which was taxing every re- source of the young republic.
 It was not until April 19, 1783, that word reached North Carolina of the signing at Paris the previ- ouS November of preliminary treaty of peace between the United States and Great Britain.
 The news was received with re- joicing. The North Carolina legis- lature was in session at New Bern. early capital" of the province and the state. That body adopted a res- olution calling for statewide ob- Servance of the following Fourth of July as a day of thanksgiving for peace and independence.
 Gov. Alexander Martins procla- nation, first of its kind in America, pursuant to that resolution direct ed that July be thus observed as 8 holiday. The governor strictly commanded and enjoined "all the good citizens of this state to set apart the said day from bodily la- bor, and employ the same in devout and religious exercises"
 All ministers were required to hold church services on the day delivering discourse suitable tc the important occasion, recom- mending in general the practice of virtue and true religion as the great foundation of private bless ings as well as national happiness and prosperity"
 Celebrated in 177S A copy of the North Carolina Gazette for July 10, 1778, pub lished at New Bern by James Davis, first state printer and publish CT in North Carolina. contains the following account of the Indepen- dence Day celebration in his town, believed to be the oldest public rec ord of such an observance:
 July Fourth Celebrated.
 "On Saturday last, the ever memorable Fourth of July, the ris- ing states of America entered the third year of their independence in spite of numerous fleets and ar- mics; in spite of tomahawk and Scalping knife; in spite of the numberleSs wicked and diabolical engines of cruelty and revenge, placed oil against us by the mag ilainmous and heroic, humane and merc!ful George the Third, the father of his people, and his wicked and abandoned soldiery.
 On this day the bright and morning star of this western world arose in the east, and warned us to immerge from the slavish tyranny and servile dependence on a yenal and corrupt court, and assume ourselves 8 name among nations. :. name terrible to tyrat1ts. and wrote in indelible characters by the Almighty as a refuge from per- i secution.
 This day was observed here with every possible mark and dem onstration of joy and reverence |: triple Salutes were fired from the batteries in town, and on board the ship Cornell and the privateer brig, Bellona. belonging to this part, the gentlemen of the town met, where many toasts suitable to the impor- tance of tke day were drank, and the evening happily concluded" French Republic Toasted
 Eighteen years later, in 1796, the war over and the young nation be- ginning to develop, a more lively celebration was staged in Halifax. as recounted in old newspapers.
 "The gentlemen of the town gathered at MT. Hopkins tavern and partook of fine dinner, after which many toastS were drunk. each accompanied by a patriotic song"
 Among the toasts were:
 The people of the United States may they regard their duties and privileges as equally sacred"
 "The French Repuhlic-may her THOM CTOM MKAAY