The Nation's Birthday

The Fourth of July ha again come and ftone, and this time left its imprees upon Auu Arbor. With the far-rounding fame oi Ypsilanti's celebration ringing in our ears, it woulri not do to sit down and pine awiiy with grief and despair ; in short, tre woulrln't be outdone in a thing of tliat soit, aud so quite politely asked Uncle Sam tü stop here on Mondny and take our greetings and hear ouv rauswed promises, as his chüdreu for the futuie, intending quite evidently, to outstrip our ueighbor in the way of multitudes, pueehes, dmners, parades, powder, &c. And now, alter t.ue excitement of the event has passud away, it is largely satisfactory to kuown that we exceedcd our expectations. A we oouldn't, with propriety, buru powder and haiiuo on tiie Sabluth, we passed over to Mouday, and called it ín efFect our nation's 'J'Jth birthday. The moiniug was ushered in by tlie usual boomiug of camión aud ringiug of bolls, till the fever of exoitemeut tingled the blood in the veins of the veriest old fogy. Night-capped heads were unceremouiously thrust out of windowa to catch glimpses of the raging fires which must cortaiuly be sweepiug over the town, but it didn't take long tp determine that it was but au expression of joy, and not of fear, and the dullest soon adapted hiinself to circumstances and was olothed in his nght mind and lioliday attire. The sun rose at the usual hour and mnniíested his interest in the proceedings liy turning his face full upon the city, aud dispeusmg au unusual amount of heat. To avoid as much of this heat as possible, people, in large numbers, began to enter the city at an early hour, and as the trains canie in, the numbers were swollen to thousands. Ou these truins came the military conipanies trom Detroir, Bay City, aud Ypsilauti, which, later in the day, in coujunction with our own and those froin Tecumseh aud Adrián adoed so much to the interest ot the occasiou. The Adrián Light Guard had spent the Sabbath in tnis city, and now with Company B, they met these ïncomiug troops) aud led them all to the arinory where all disbanded. At eleveu oVlock the streets were packed with spectators, aud they fouud much pleasure in looking upon the decorations which everywhere met the gaze. Stretched across the streets Irom roof to roof of buildings, were huge arenes of evergreens, and " Welcome" in large letters of the same material met the eyes of the stranger, as he entered the city from any quartcr. The Goddesa of Liberty occupied a position just in front of the armory, directly over the center ot the street, standing upon a platform of regal magnificence, suppoi ted by the arches above described. Where shade trees were lacking, the forests had supplied the deficiency, oud raaples aud evergreens liued the streets. THE PR0CE8SI0X. was lormed iu the iollowiug order : Detroit National Guard Band, Adrián Drum CDrps, Detroit Natioual Guard, Company C, Adrián Light Guard, Company ü, Detroit Sarsfield Guard, Ypsilauti Light Guard, Company H, Aun Arbor Compauy B, Tecumseh Zouaves, Compan}' E, Ba y City Peninsnlars, Company E, 2d Reg. Gov. Bagley and Staff, Ofh'cers of the day, Common Council andlnvited Guests, Gwinner's Band, Germán Workingmen's Association, Aun Arbor Maennerchor, Aun Albor Turn Verein, Seio Msennerchor, Dexter Baad, Pioneer Society, Citizens. LINE OF MAECH. From the Court House Square up Main street to William street ; up William to Fiith street : np Fifth to Jefferson street ; up Jefferson to State street ; down State to Huron street ; down Huron to División street ; down División to Anu street ; down Ann to Second street; up Second to Hurou street; up Hurou to Court House Square. Ou the line of march the militarycompanies displayed their skill in driiling and manouvei s, attracting the greatest amount of attention. The Bay City Compauy won especial praise tor their fine uniforms and excellent drill, and bursts of applause met them at every hand. With astonishing rapidity and accurateness, they formed in succession, while upon the march, the letter of their company E, a diamond, triangles, hollow squares, &c. Company B, of this city, deserves especia' mention for the, interest its members mauifested in the celebration, and the pains they took to secure the attendance of the other military companies, aud their hospitality to the compauy from Adrián, which spent Sunday here. Without the co-operation they so cheerfully furnished, the day would have lacked half its attractions. ïhe Pioueers turned out iu large numbers, and their enthusiasm was well manifested in their buoyant steps and eager faces, as they meu and women too, tramped along in the crowded processiou. What strange memories must have filled their miuds as they looked down the long line oí years and saw themselves at their first 4th of July, with limbs Homewhat more supple thau they were to-day ! But patnotism waa the genuine article now, and did uot find vent in a tirecracker or two, tor they were liere to show the strength which a senye oí' freedom can instil into old and shattered patriots, and reveal the pride they feel for a State and a country they have helped to nourish. The old time-worn pioneers received the gratitude due them from the admiring crowds. AT THE COUET HOUSE. At twelve o'clock the long procession brought up at the Court House Square, and the immense crowd, now numbering but little less than 20,000 people, collected about the speaker's stand to listen to the oration. The stand had been erected on the south side of the square, and was covered by sheets of ca nvas to keep off the burniug rays of the sun Upon the stand were seated the (iovernor and his staff, the officers of the day, the Yice-Presidents of the Pioneer Society and many of our distiuguished citizeus, including Judge Cooley, Dr. E. Wells, Mayor Kinne, Judge Beakes, ex-Gov. Felch, Judge Grane, Calvin Fillmore, brother of ex-President Fillmore, Hon. H. E. Frazor, Hon. James Kingsley, Pliilip Bachj and C. H. Millen. The exercises opened by a piece of music, given by the Detroit Light Guard Band, after which prayer was oifered y the Eev. Henry L. Hubbell, of Anu Arbor. Another piece of music followed and Uien the Ueclaration of Independence was read by Prof. Harry B. Hutchins, of the Uuiversity. Agnin iiusic was íuruished by the band, when Dr. James B. Angelí was iutroduced and delivered he oration. The address was brief, but was íeartily applauded throughout. The followug is a synopsis of what he said : THE OEA.TION. He preíaced hiB address by sayiug that ïhode Islaud, his native State, was accustomed to furnish every one of her citizeus au oportuuity to deliver a Fourth of July oration ; ;hat this opportunity had already been granted him so he should not iuflict anything of the kiud upon the people to-day, but would simply give them a talk- dry enough perhaps to keep them from cettiug wet, even if it did rain. He then said that we had assembled here today "repreaenting no sect, no party, and with no name but thiit oí patriotisin as our rallyiug cry. We come together as brothers to oífer our homage to a common country Although busiuess íssomewhat depressed forthe present, and matters look blue ia tho fíaancial world, yet tbere is no uation on the face of the globe which has more cause for gratitude than we. The shuttles in the factories are busily weavmg the clothiug we must have, every sea ani octan are dotted with our commerce, and mines oí gold, copper and oil are yielding bnundless resources, a cotton erop unequalled in the history of our nation is growing in the South, and a wheat erop, though, light will be of un excellent quality. No peopla have such happiness and prosperity as we, so f ar as materia! resources are concerned. He then relerred to the tact that we aie just entering opon n round of centenmal celebrutions, which ouxht to keep the tires of patnotisni protty II buiuhig. Bunker H'Ilhas had its eelebratiou and worthily too. If we did HOt conquer England at that first battle, we did a tui tnitflit ago, for the London Times, on the ! 7t.li oí June last, said that we fought one hundred years ago, for English liherty, as well ;is ior our own. Here too the men of the South carne, with their old animosities Iaid aside, to contribute to the celebration. We can never torget our debt of gratitude to the men who foughl only so recently for our liberties, and are represeuted here to-day by some rwith empty sleeves to testity to their services. He said he was proud to see here such a grand reprosentation of the old pioneers who had Iaid the foundation of our State so well, and had raised up men who are now our lory and our pride. Let them have the praise they so justly desorve ! President Angelí then said that we owe thanks first to God for the foundation of this country. He had planted the seeds in Europe long, long years ago which bore fruit here. It was uot a mere matter of accident that we became a free nation, uot because a stupíd king happened to sit upon the throne of England. The sentiment promulgated 2,000 years ago was only fiuding illustratiou, that all men are created free and equal. Iï Luther had not defied the devils upon the housetops, Wiuthrop would nevor have settled a colony at Boston, nor the Puritana planted their staft' of freedoni on Plymouth Rock. England herself sharpened the weapon which cut off our bouds. The Frejich and ludían wars only trained our sol" diery, and the township and colonial gevernments exercised the people m self-goverumeut. Secondly, we owe our thauks to the fathers who, when the uudying opportunity came, recognized it and used it. How they struggled, the American Coustitution can well testify. Our héroes and great men of those days cnuld not be equalled by any that Europe could produce. The two Adams, Jefferson and Washington, could only fiud comparisou in Pitt, Fox, and Burke. Alter referring at some length here to our late war and poiutiug out its relations to the üevolution, he paid a glowing tribute to the memory ot' Lincoln, and said that if no monuments 8hould be erected to perpetúate his name, tlie river that winds by his grave would carry his fame to the sea and the ocean, and the air would waft it to the most distant lands. In conclusión Dr. Angelí said he would give three hints which all might consider. First, that we should tight the heroic battle to make a dollar worth lOO cents. Bravery is needed in this warfare, but we must tight or go down_ Secoudly, we should omit uo opportunity to close the wounds of war ; be willing to take the hand of Jeff Davis, but with the understandiug that this war has uot been waged for uothiug. The Uth and 16th ameudments are certaiuties. Thirdly, let us bring the best men to the front, and compel the knaves to stand back in the rear ! We want pure and upright leaders. The address was short, but of aa excellent character and was highly appreciated. At its close Gov. Bagley "was called out, and after expressing his pleasure at being present at this celebration, said he did uot know what could be added to the eloquent address just delivered. He said he was still full of the Fourth of July fire when Independence Day came around, for his mother liad taught him when a boy, to " honor the men who feareá God , hated the devil, and fought the Bntish." As the sturuy old pioneers put the right sort of mortar, sbone, and gravel into the foundation of the structure which they did not pxpect to see completed, thinking ouly of their duty, so ought we, he said, to build well, with persistence and honesty of purpose. The Hon. JameS Kingsley ot Corunna, and formerly of this city' was then lustily called for, but be excused himself and the crowd began to disperse just in time to secure shelter trom the rain which soou feil iu torrents. The Pioneers tiled away to the Opera House and, about 200 in number partook of their dinner, which they served in picnic style. Judge Cooley mvited the Governor and his staff, the ofticers of the day and a few other guests to his residence, and treated them to a sumptuous repast. Others crowded to overflowing, the hotels and eating houses till the inner man was satisn'ed. Unfortuuately the rain coutinued, literally nouring down now and then, till after three o'clock. Then the streets were flowing with water and mud, in places uncomfortably deep, but damped not the spirits of those who had carne to celébrate, and white dresses had no restrainmg influence upon the ladies. All was soou bustle and stir, as the great throng now swept toward the Uuiversity, for on the campus was to be held THE DRKSS PABADE. This took place, aiter sorae delay on accouut of the storm, and was a very brilliant and suecessful affair. The üovernor was present and atter duly inspectiug the troops, expressed his eutire satisfaotion with thoir drill and appearance. Col. Withington, of Jackson, had command of the companies. Shortly after four o'clock this portion of the day's programme was coucluded, and hundreds of people took their departure for their homes, since the skies looked dark and threatening, and distant thunder iudicated more rain. At sundovvn the streets were deluged again, and the lightntngs began their brilliant display of flreworks among the clouds, and 'succeeded so admirably that the little powder toys exploded shortly after on Main street, were rendered trivial euough. Perhaps these human fireworks last alluded to, were of some account, but it is somewhat doubted At any rate a little powder was burned, a few rockets sent whizzing through the air, and the curtain feil. Uncle Sam had closed the opening scène in the lOOth act of liis grand drama, which has been the wonder and admiration of the world for a century. Thus the day passed, fllled with its little personal incidents which sturdy men and women will talk over to their ueighbors for weeks to come, and young boys tire uot of recounting to their uníortunate comrades who coulant come to the celebration. There were no serioua accidents, aud the usual number oi flghts were participated in by drunken fools. Belief Park was well occupied during the day and evening by picnic and dancing partiesi and in the evening dancing was enjoye! also in the halls of the city and in temporary halls erected for the occasion. During the day the street cornors and store fronts were occupied by ice cream, lemonade and eating stands, while the hotels and eating houses could not furnish, to satistaction, the inuuraeral crowds that pressed into them for meals. üpportunities for games aud sports were well represented, but most happily thei e were no lotteries and gambling institution to be seen. The money disposed of was spent honorably, except what went for whiskey. At an early hour in the evening, the vast assemblage had dispersed and the city was restoied to its wonted quiet, and on the morrow the thread of lite was again taken up and the usual round of activities pursued.