Fourth of July Celebration p.2
Dublin Core
Title
Fourth of July Celebration p.2
Description
"The 98th Anniversary of out national Independence was celebrated on Saturday in fine style. The arrangements made by Colonel Nocross, Grand Marshal were elaborate and complete. He was ably assisted in his duties by Judge J. C. Palmer, President of the Day, and Hon Philip A. Roach.
The Grand Marshal and his aids assembled at the Lick House, and the invited guests at the Grand Hotel. Col. Roach acted as master of ceremonies, and arranged officers and guests in order, commencing with the President, Chaplain, Orator, Poet and Reader, followed by the city authorities, officers of the army and navy, early Californians, foreign Consuls, members of the Press, Standing Committees of the celebration, distinguished citizens and others. The press was presented by the editors of the New Age, Pacific Appeal and ELEVATOR.
At 10:30 o’clock the Grand Marshal and Aids were prepared to move and started for the place of rendezvous, followed by a long line of chariots, barouches and carriages containing the invited guests.
At 11 o’clock the procession began to move. The head of the line started from the corner of Bryant and Second Streets, led by Chief Cockrill and a platoon of mounted police, and followed by the Grand Marshal, Col. Norcross on a splendid charger, with a long cavalcade of aids we noticed [ill] E. A. Clark and William H. Blake.
The First Division consisted of the military which made a grand display. The Second Divison was marshaled by Col. Roach and aids, the Lafayette Guard acting as escort. This division consisted of carriages containing veterans of the Mexican war, veterans of the war of 1812, California Pioneers and invited guests.
The number of civic societies in the procession were fewer than on any former occasion. The Bricklayers’ Protective Association, the Laborers Benevolent Association, and two or three Irish Societies were the only ones. The Ancient Order of Hiberians celebrated the day at one of Gardens. The Antiques and Horribles were few in number and badly gotten up. This, instead of being a feature was a failure. A wagon containing a printing press, and another with a steam engine were very attractive. The press was at work, printing programmes, and the engine had steam up and in full operation.
The children’s cars were beautiful and finely decorated with flags, mottoes, etc. There were three—one containing a number of children, each one holding a shield, representing the States and Territories ; another with the Goddess of Liberty and her attendants, and the third car presenting California. The children were all neatly dressed in white and were the principal feature in the procession.
Along the line of march the houses were decorated with flags and streamers. In many places bunting extended across the street. Bancroft’s building on Market St., Grand and Occidental Hotels, Lick House, and all the principle buildings, including public offices, newspaper, etc. flags and bunting were profusely displayed.
At 1:30 o’clock the head of the line reached Horticultural Hall on Stockton Street, where the literary exercises were held. Here, the Grand Marshal reviewed his aids and dismissed the procession.
At 2 o’clock the Grand Marshal and aids with the officers of the Day, and invited guests entered the hall, and took their places on the stage, and the hall was soon filled. The long roll call was beat by the drum corps of the First Regiment, when Col. Roach introduced Grand Marshal Norcross to the audience, who received him with cheers and applause. Col. Norcross made a few remarks, and introduced Judge Palmer, the President of the Day, who was likewise greeted with applause. After a short speech the President introduced the Chaplain, Rev. Dr Platt, who offered an effective prayer. The Bohemian Choral Club then sang “America,” in fine style.
The Declaration of Independence was read by Charles P. Travers, who rendered the grand old document in a clear and resonant voice. The Choral Club sang another patriotic anthem, when the President introduced James F. Bowman, the poet, who read an original poem written for the occasion. This is a fine production, worthy the Poet and the Day.
Miss Fannie Marston was then ascorted on the stage by the President and sang a musical adaptation of Drake’s beautiful poem, “The American Flag.” For an encore she gave “The Red, White and Blue.” Miss Marston was beautifully arrayed in a robe of the national colors, and sang the patriotic airs with an artistic skill. She was accompanied on the piano by Prof. F. G Carnes. The applause which this young lady received is an evidence of her ability, and of the appreciation in which she is held.
The concluding act in the drama of the days performance was the oration by Hon. Leonidas E. Pratt. It was a masterly production ; grand in its conception, its composition and its delivery. After a brilliant exordium in which he paid due reverence to the patriotism which Americans show in honoring this day, and the gratitude we exercised in celebrating it, he dwelt briefly on the results which follow, what we judge to be calamaties He then alluded to the colonization and settlement of America; how necessary the hardy pilgrims who landed on the barren soil of New England, and were to the future development of the country. The trials they endured, the persecutions they suffered, and the final triumph of their principles in the severance of the colonies form the misrule of the England and the establishment of a free government.
The late civil war was the next theme. He told some “distasteful truths” how slavery had ruled the nation, and made the “history of this government a tale of compacts broken and destroyed—of [ill] and ill faith ;” how when “boasting of liberty they enslaved a race” until the rebellion was the culmination, and the restoration of “National honor and renown, a higher self respect and the sweet repose of perfect security” the result.
He then invoked the Angel of Peace and the shades of the honored dead as well as the living warriors in the civil strife to banish all hatred form their breasts against their erring brethren of the South who fought nobly in a most ignoble cause.
He pleaded eloquently for the endownment of equal rights to the colored Americans. On this subject he said:
Equal Rights for the Colored People.
But the theory that of this discourse does not permit me entirely to ignore the subject of African Slavery. Even that was not an unmixed evil ; and strangely enough, all its blessings have been to the enslaved. Did I address myself to colored Americans exclusively to-day. I should perhaps remind them that they have suffered but little more than many of our ancestors endured before ever America was peopled by Europeans I should bid them to remember that in the very nature of things a struggle must precede a victory, and that trial and affliction are the cruel [ill] in which character is developed and humanity exalted.
I should remind them possibly, that had there been no slavery in American, there had been no orator Douglass, no colored Senator in the National Congress, and no [ill] advocate pleading the cause of justice or humanity before that august tribunal—the Supreme Court of the United States.
Does any man believe that these people would have been better off if their ancestors had been left in Africa? Does any man doubt that a higher degree of civilization and intelligence has been impressed upon them by their bondage than would have come to them through any other agency?
Even that crime then, has subserved some useful purposes. But its part in the Divine economy had been performed—the time had come for it to perish; and standing by in its unhallowed grave to-day, I reverently thank the Ruler of the Universe, that his eternal purposes did not require that it should exist a single hour longer than it did.
This is not the occasion to discuss the policy which endowed that people with all the rights of citizenship. That they earned the freedom they received man not be disputed. They fought the [ill] with us. In the dreary and desperate days when hope had almost died in every heart; like the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night which led the Israelites out of bondage, the freedmen of the south, guided the Union soldiers through the swamp and morass—[ill] his blood with theirs on many a field—and aided materialy in the achievement of the final conquest.
Whether wisely or otherwise, they are to-day an integral portion of the body politic, and we can have no interests in which they may not participate. It is to be presumed that in the first exercise of their new powers they will be often misled by others more intelligent, but possibly less worthy than themselves.
But if they can forgive us for not having sooner stricken the shackles from their limbs, we may, at least pardon them, that they are not skilled in political economy, nor masters of the science of government. To them it is the part of wisdom to waste no time in idle repining, but to apply all the energy and intellect they can command, in fitting themselves up for the responsibilities of their new relations; and we shall be only wise and just, if we aid them to the fullest extent in so doing.
What instruments these people may yet be in the hands of an over-rulling Providence—[ill 2] they are destined to enact in the future of this Republic and in the evangelization of the world. when the new regime shall have developed their manhood and capacity, even the spirit of prophecy may not assume to reveal; but that they may yet become the most fitting instruments for the conversion and regeneration of their own kindred in other lands, is by no means a remote or an unreasonable presumption.
And thus, I arise from “the contemplation of history and its incidents with the feeling that I dare no longer murmur at any apparent calamity.
Let no man presume or question any of the great events of history, lest it be found that he has thereby arraigned some decree of Jehovah Himself!
He next alluded to the corruption in official position and even in the Courts of Justice, and declared that the remedy for those evils was in the hands of the people. The Orator expressed his faith in the moral power wielded by woman, and his belief that she will exercise great influence over the destinies of this nation.
The orator concluded with some remarks that give food for reflection.
He said:
But let no man yet dare assert that the American system is an established success. That the present Federal Government must, sooner or later dissolve or be materially curtailed in territorial jurisdiction, is part of the resistless logic of time. When your vast domain shall have become as densely populated as portions of the old world are to-day, and millions of people with all their varied and multiplied interests, shall stand where only thousands can be counted now. No one government, however perfect its organization, can administer the affairs of such a nation. The question is not whether this identical Government shall be perpetual—but whether the system—the theory upon which it is founded—shall then prevail.
In this he does not predict a dissolution of the Union as at present organized, but he admits the possibility of such an event. He apparently doubts whether a government extending over such a vast extent of territory, as will in future be ours, and embracing within its area such variety of peoples of different habits, customs and nationalities can exist as one homogeneous government. There are many [ill] theories on this subject, which we will not now stop to examine.
This oration was one of the most appropriate to the [ill] of any we have ever heard, and was eloquently delivered. It occupied about an hour, and was listened to with marked attention, interrupted by frequent applause.
At the close [ill] exercises the Grand Marshal [ill] his aids and guests to a [ill] at the Lick House, when toasts were given and brief speeches [ill] Col. Norcross, Judge Palmer, Hon. A. Roach, Dr. Cole, Edwin A. [ill] and others."
The Grand Marshal and his aids assembled at the Lick House, and the invited guests at the Grand Hotel. Col. Roach acted as master of ceremonies, and arranged officers and guests in order, commencing with the President, Chaplain, Orator, Poet and Reader, followed by the city authorities, officers of the army and navy, early Californians, foreign Consuls, members of the Press, Standing Committees of the celebration, distinguished citizens and others. The press was presented by the editors of the New Age, Pacific Appeal and ELEVATOR.
At 10:30 o’clock the Grand Marshal and Aids were prepared to move and started for the place of rendezvous, followed by a long line of chariots, barouches and carriages containing the invited guests.
At 11 o’clock the procession began to move. The head of the line started from the corner of Bryant and Second Streets, led by Chief Cockrill and a platoon of mounted police, and followed by the Grand Marshal, Col. Norcross on a splendid charger, with a long cavalcade of aids we noticed [ill] E. A. Clark and William H. Blake.
The First Division consisted of the military which made a grand display. The Second Divison was marshaled by Col. Roach and aids, the Lafayette Guard acting as escort. This division consisted of carriages containing veterans of the Mexican war, veterans of the war of 1812, California Pioneers and invited guests.
The number of civic societies in the procession were fewer than on any former occasion. The Bricklayers’ Protective Association, the Laborers Benevolent Association, and two or three Irish Societies were the only ones. The Ancient Order of Hiberians celebrated the day at one of Gardens. The Antiques and Horribles were few in number and badly gotten up. This, instead of being a feature was a failure. A wagon containing a printing press, and another with a steam engine were very attractive. The press was at work, printing programmes, and the engine had steam up and in full operation.
The children’s cars were beautiful and finely decorated with flags, mottoes, etc. There were three—one containing a number of children, each one holding a shield, representing the States and Territories ; another with the Goddess of Liberty and her attendants, and the third car presenting California. The children were all neatly dressed in white and were the principal feature in the procession.
Along the line of march the houses were decorated with flags and streamers. In many places bunting extended across the street. Bancroft’s building on Market St., Grand and Occidental Hotels, Lick House, and all the principle buildings, including public offices, newspaper, etc. flags and bunting were profusely displayed.
At 1:30 o’clock the head of the line reached Horticultural Hall on Stockton Street, where the literary exercises were held. Here, the Grand Marshal reviewed his aids and dismissed the procession.
At 2 o’clock the Grand Marshal and aids with the officers of the Day, and invited guests entered the hall, and took their places on the stage, and the hall was soon filled. The long roll call was beat by the drum corps of the First Regiment, when Col. Roach introduced Grand Marshal Norcross to the audience, who received him with cheers and applause. Col. Norcross made a few remarks, and introduced Judge Palmer, the President of the Day, who was likewise greeted with applause. After a short speech the President introduced the Chaplain, Rev. Dr Platt, who offered an effective prayer. The Bohemian Choral Club then sang “America,” in fine style.
The Declaration of Independence was read by Charles P. Travers, who rendered the grand old document in a clear and resonant voice. The Choral Club sang another patriotic anthem, when the President introduced James F. Bowman, the poet, who read an original poem written for the occasion. This is a fine production, worthy the Poet and the Day.
Miss Fannie Marston was then ascorted on the stage by the President and sang a musical adaptation of Drake’s beautiful poem, “The American Flag.” For an encore she gave “The Red, White and Blue.” Miss Marston was beautifully arrayed in a robe of the national colors, and sang the patriotic airs with an artistic skill. She was accompanied on the piano by Prof. F. G Carnes. The applause which this young lady received is an evidence of her ability, and of the appreciation in which she is held.
The concluding act in the drama of the days performance was the oration by Hon. Leonidas E. Pratt. It was a masterly production ; grand in its conception, its composition and its delivery. After a brilliant exordium in which he paid due reverence to the patriotism which Americans show in honoring this day, and the gratitude we exercised in celebrating it, he dwelt briefly on the results which follow, what we judge to be calamaties He then alluded to the colonization and settlement of America; how necessary the hardy pilgrims who landed on the barren soil of New England, and were to the future development of the country. The trials they endured, the persecutions they suffered, and the final triumph of their principles in the severance of the colonies form the misrule of the England and the establishment of a free government.
The late civil war was the next theme. He told some “distasteful truths” how slavery had ruled the nation, and made the “history of this government a tale of compacts broken and destroyed—of [ill] and ill faith ;” how when “boasting of liberty they enslaved a race” until the rebellion was the culmination, and the restoration of “National honor and renown, a higher self respect and the sweet repose of perfect security” the result.
He then invoked the Angel of Peace and the shades of the honored dead as well as the living warriors in the civil strife to banish all hatred form their breasts against their erring brethren of the South who fought nobly in a most ignoble cause.
He pleaded eloquently for the endownment of equal rights to the colored Americans. On this subject he said:
Equal Rights for the Colored People.
But the theory that of this discourse does not permit me entirely to ignore the subject of African Slavery. Even that was not an unmixed evil ; and strangely enough, all its blessings have been to the enslaved. Did I address myself to colored Americans exclusively to-day. I should perhaps remind them that they have suffered but little more than many of our ancestors endured before ever America was peopled by Europeans I should bid them to remember that in the very nature of things a struggle must precede a victory, and that trial and affliction are the cruel [ill] in which character is developed and humanity exalted.
I should remind them possibly, that had there been no slavery in American, there had been no orator Douglass, no colored Senator in the National Congress, and no [ill] advocate pleading the cause of justice or humanity before that august tribunal—the Supreme Court of the United States.
Does any man believe that these people would have been better off if their ancestors had been left in Africa? Does any man doubt that a higher degree of civilization and intelligence has been impressed upon them by their bondage than would have come to them through any other agency?
Even that crime then, has subserved some useful purposes. But its part in the Divine economy had been performed—the time had come for it to perish; and standing by in its unhallowed grave to-day, I reverently thank the Ruler of the Universe, that his eternal purposes did not require that it should exist a single hour longer than it did.
This is not the occasion to discuss the policy which endowed that people with all the rights of citizenship. That they earned the freedom they received man not be disputed. They fought the [ill] with us. In the dreary and desperate days when hope had almost died in every heart; like the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night which led the Israelites out of bondage, the freedmen of the south, guided the Union soldiers through the swamp and morass—[ill] his blood with theirs on many a field—and aided materialy in the achievement of the final conquest.
Whether wisely or otherwise, they are to-day an integral portion of the body politic, and we can have no interests in which they may not participate. It is to be presumed that in the first exercise of their new powers they will be often misled by others more intelligent, but possibly less worthy than themselves.
But if they can forgive us for not having sooner stricken the shackles from their limbs, we may, at least pardon them, that they are not skilled in political economy, nor masters of the science of government. To them it is the part of wisdom to waste no time in idle repining, but to apply all the energy and intellect they can command, in fitting themselves up for the responsibilities of their new relations; and we shall be only wise and just, if we aid them to the fullest extent in so doing.
What instruments these people may yet be in the hands of an over-rulling Providence—[ill 2] they are destined to enact in the future of this Republic and in the evangelization of the world. when the new regime shall have developed their manhood and capacity, even the spirit of prophecy may not assume to reveal; but that they may yet become the most fitting instruments for the conversion and regeneration of their own kindred in other lands, is by no means a remote or an unreasonable presumption.
And thus, I arise from “the contemplation of history and its incidents with the feeling that I dare no longer murmur at any apparent calamity.
Let no man presume or question any of the great events of history, lest it be found that he has thereby arraigned some decree of Jehovah Himself!
He next alluded to the corruption in official position and even in the Courts of Justice, and declared that the remedy for those evils was in the hands of the people. The Orator expressed his faith in the moral power wielded by woman, and his belief that she will exercise great influence over the destinies of this nation.
The orator concluded with some remarks that give food for reflection.
He said:
But let no man yet dare assert that the American system is an established success. That the present Federal Government must, sooner or later dissolve or be materially curtailed in territorial jurisdiction, is part of the resistless logic of time. When your vast domain shall have become as densely populated as portions of the old world are to-day, and millions of people with all their varied and multiplied interests, shall stand where only thousands can be counted now. No one government, however perfect its organization, can administer the affairs of such a nation. The question is not whether this identical Government shall be perpetual—but whether the system—the theory upon which it is founded—shall then prevail.
In this he does not predict a dissolution of the Union as at present organized, but he admits the possibility of such an event. He apparently doubts whether a government extending over such a vast extent of territory, as will in future be ours, and embracing within its area such variety of peoples of different habits, customs and nationalities can exist as one homogeneous government. There are many [ill] theories on this subject, which we will not now stop to examine.
This oration was one of the most appropriate to the [ill] of any we have ever heard, and was eloquently delivered. It occupied about an hour, and was listened to with marked attention, interrupted by frequent applause.
At the close [ill] exercises the Grand Marshal [ill] his aids and guests to a [ill] at the Lick House, when toasts were given and brief speeches [ill] Col. Norcross, Judge Palmer, Hon. A. Roach, Dr. Cole, Edwin A. [ill] and others."
Publisher
San Francisco Elevator
Date
1874-7-11
Collection
Citation
“Fourth of July Celebration p.2,” African American Fourth of July, accessed April 26, 2024, https://africanamerican4th.omeka.net/items/show/424.