Year: 1863




! Mr.. EDITOR While write the sun is shining
brightly, the American Flag is auttering proudly
and grandly, the streets of this pretty town are
filled with people in holiday dress, cannons are
believing, frecrackers are rattling, little boys
aud girls are playing aud people in general seem
loyal, happy and determined to celebrate the
great day with all the earnestuess aud enthusi-
asm that it deserves, and that it should especially
receive at the present critical iuneture in the
history of the Nation.


You are aware that as one of the Grand Di-
vision lecturers it is my duty to abstain ut all
times from taking ything like partizan stand
as politician, as that would of course have the
effect of closing doors of usefulness against me,
and would eliectualy prevent me securing that
general public confidence that the Gospel minis
ter and the honest Temperance lecturer is in
duty bound to secure. But it is no partizan
movement that is being celebrated when the
Fourth of July is held in remembrance On
this Day men Of all parties and of all opinions
heartily unite, rejoice and thank God for the
civil and religious privileges secured to millions
of people by the achievement of American In





people happy. | so for happiness every time.
and ii is pleasant to notice that the old spirit of
Freedom burns in the hearts of the people, u
fire that can never be quenched, principle that
cannot die and will never surrender


The county of Mariposa is celebrated for its
grand mountain scenery, its rich copper leads
and extensive quartz mines and mills, and the
;nI anI intnl Of; 10
Yo. Semitic Falls are in this county, and there ia
u grove Of Big Trees here that are far ahead Of
any yet discovered elsewhere in the would -
great number of ladies and gentlemen are no"
in the Yo Semitic Valley visiting the Falls Big
Trees, etc. Many are here from San FRANCESCA
and many more arc coming. The stages, hotels
livery stables, etc., are doing large business ia
consequence


In the work | am engaged in, there is much
to cheer in this county. The Sons Of Temperance
have been blessing to Marposa county, as they
are benefit and blessing to any community
know Of no section Of the State where the Order
is in II more aourlshing condition, or where more
good is apparent as the result Of efforts made
There are aourishing Divisions at Coulterville,



.o,,ntv. Tb,se Di>isious were organized by my
co laoorer' -pp' promau, Esq, one of the
Grand Lecturers. And may here say, he Is
gentleman in whom all true Temperance men in
this State have confidence and who takes care TO
conduct himself in a manner calculated to COM
mand respect. Brother Bramal will never be
found on the partisan stump, neither will the
Divisions catch him at dishonorable tricks of any
kind Use him well If he comes your way.


The Divisions at Coulterville, Princeton and
Marposa have erected very fine balls, and fur
nished them in a very attractive manner. They
pay much attention to music and have good
melodeons and excellent choirs, rendering the
meetings very pleasant indeed


Public sentiment is very favorable to the cause
of Temperance in this county many of the
county officials aud leading citizens are in the
organization, and working heartily to save men
from the miseries and madness flowing from tho
effects of alcoholic drinks. Many great rcforma-
tons have taken place, too, and the good work
goes on most satisfactorily.


We are to have great Temperance demousra-
ton here this evening, in the S. OF 7. Hall A
public Installation of Officers is to take place,
followed by an Grafton and Supper. The Di-
vision here has upwards OF one hundred male
members and about thirty lady visitors. They
have some forty lady visitors ut Mariposa, and
goodly number at the other places The new
Hall built by the Sons OF Temperance at Prince
ton, in this county, was recently dedicated, and
is the best building in town. 1t is some sixty
feet long, thirty wide and two stories high, This
is what has been done where little more than II
year ago intemperance had full and fell sway,
unressted and unchecked.


No rejecting mau can contemplate the good
resulting from these associations without feeling
conviction that ii is an Imperative duty to give
/ them all the encouragement possible. The best
way to encourage movement is to join it, work
in it, and for it, and stand boldly up tor It's d.
fense at all times. This Is the way to work et-
feetually.


trust the Divisions | organized in your coun-
ty last year are prospecting. l trust the Brothers
are as Jealous there as find the brotherhood
here. Odd Fellows and Masons are strong here,
| too. Yours truly, JAMES A DAVIDSON