Year: 1869

outemotions OF the purest and most thrilling grati-
tude. The mind is carried back 20 that memorable
day and the awful stiffness peryading the assembly
of colonial patriots just previous to voting "that
these united colonies are and of right ought to be
Tree and independent States" In that assembly
there was unanimity, firmness, deathess resolves.
Though ninety-three years have passed since that
day we still hear the clarion voice OF Hancock,
when he SAID to Franklin "We must all hang to-
gether now" and so too the characteristic re-
Bponse OF the latter, ''Yes, we must indeed all
hang together or most assuredly we shall all
hang separately" The way In which yesterdays
recurring anniversary of nations birthday was
spent showed the deep sacredness with which still
Is held the memory OF those who mingled In the stern
strife Of our countrys darkest dayshe noblest strife
OF the noblest heroes the world ever knew


e, SO mighty in any muse


Night grace her triumph with them.


The style and spirit Of yesterdays celebration also
showed growing appreciation of the grand charter
OF American freedom, for which these noble heroes
OF the past pledged their lives and sacred honorsa
charter vastly higher and broader than the famous
Magma Charta wrung from King John at Runnynede.
The fact that we still enjoy this charter the fact that
the nesmable greatness OF that freedom patriot
ancestors fought bled and many OF them
died for. is still ours the fact that the simple
and sublime grandeur OF our vast republic
Is becoming each day more widely felt and known;
the fact that we are the most powerful nation on
the face OF the globe and that the whole world knows
II as well as ourselves; the fact that the civil dis
sensons that so long distracted the country are I
an end, and that In quarter Of century more our
national debt will be paid the fact that we are at
peace with foreign nations and have only the trinng
matters OF the Indians and Alabama claims to settle
and which we are abundantly able to do in our own
chosen time and way-these and other facts, too
mn IN Ynnn
gratulation-good and abundant grounds for yester-
days jubilancy. Ours Is a great country and a
great government, and we are great people. Our
foreiathers laid the foundations OF the government
deep and broad. The genius OF liberty has here
performed her finest work, has here achieved her
master piece, has here erected d monument which
shall perish only


When wrapped IN FIRE the realms Of ether glow,


The ninety third anniversary OF our NATIONAL birth
day yesterday celebrated in this city with all the
accustomed honors With tumut of cannon and pis.
tolls and fire crackers the day nolsy ushercd in;
the rising Of the sun was welcomed with the usual
national salute, fired from the Battery, and as the
day advanced mingled sounds OF ear-piercng flies
and drums loudly beating filed the air, and then
great throngs OF citizens crowded the streets and
there was the turnout OF soldiers including fine
show OF those anxious to do military service IN the





and profuse display of our nationu bunting
proudly floating over the long line of marching in
fantry and dismounted artiilerymen and horsemen
ana from the nagstans OF The newspaper
ofIlces and the balconies and windows and
roofs OF many private dwellings and the
shipping IN the haroor; and then there were
civic professions and the more stirring music Of
brass bands and orations in which the American
eagle, more expapsively than ever before spread



aerial flights The public demonstrations were soon
over but not so the holiday observances The noise
OF intermting cannon and underwriting pistols
ana FIRE crackers continued. 1t was universal
Holiday. Business was generally suspended and
most OF the stores closed. Though thousands had
left the city on excusiOnary expeditions to spend
the day in emerald groves the country and by the
margin of pleasant lakes and 'on the beach at Long
Branch" and elsewhere, looking out on the sea-
other thousands had come here from the country
seeking a more extended field OF excitement
and enjoyment than Is afforded in rural localities.
These out-oi-town excursions were In every direc-
ton--up the Hudson, up the Sound to Staten Island
to Coney Island, to the fishing banks, into New Jer.
Sey and over to Long Island, and the people coming
mere were from lar and near. In The afternoon
there were matinees at most OF the the
aires, which were literally patronlzed. The
Park has not had 50 many visitors since
the last Fourth OF July. Base basts and
crlcketers in the enjoyment OF their special sports
gave picturesque animation to their favorte play
ing grounds. The fireworks at night which were
Snusually fine and extended this year drew out
tens of thousands to witness the brilliant pyroteeh-
mic display while the music Of the many bands
stationed at each place ued the air with patriotic
melodies. Despite, however, these free and fasc-
mating enjoyments for the outdoor multitudes, all
the places OF amusement again crowded In tie
evening, and patriotic pieces and music kept up
the glorious memory OF our grand national holiday.
Till late at night moving throngs filed the streets
roar as OF an unntermitcd siege greeted the ear
and far away In the regions OF the uppear air there
was brilliant blaze of fire rockets filing the ex-
pansye ornament With the glorious splendor of a |
seeming moteoric shower OF varlegated stars
1t was day of real enjoyment, altogether
the most pleasant Fourth OF July we have |
had for q long time. There was nothing |
TO the general happiness; no scenes OF |
rioting, drunkenness or dscord and aside from q !
Few accidents, unavoidable from the adopted mode
OF commemorating the day both the day and its OBJ
seryance passed OF most delightfully."-. Toe weather,
an important feature not to be overlooked was exqul
sitey enjoyable. cool and balmy breeze prevailed
all day. and the mercury in the thermometer which
had been behaving itself with painfully erratic free
dom the previous two days In getting up near the |
hHVhCr VVuu Hob hnNO "Npoibcu itSciI WlIH UOTc |
prudence II 1t had been under the superiniendence
OF special supervisory committee. We give below |
q full account OF how the day observed the mil
fary narades tho civic processlons. oratorlcal ef-
Servescences, pyrotechnlcs I'm the evening aud every
thing OF note directly and indirectly connected with
The day, both old and young America mucn delight
An celebrating the great o,Da DIES in our national !
calendar


The MILITARY Parade


The parade of the National Guard yesterday was |
one othe very best parades that nave taken
I'M tina NM Ton