The New York Herald Newspaper, July 5, 1873, Page 6

THE FOURTH. Ninety-seventh Anniversary of the Nation’s Independence---ow It Was Celebrated Thronghont the Country, The Silvery Notes of the Trinity Chimes. Grand Gathering of the Tammany Sachems in the Big Wigwam. eel The Long and Short Talks of Augustus Schell, Clarkson N. Potter, Abraham B, Lawrence, Sunset Cox, Delano 0, Colvin and General Spinola. PARADE OF THE MILITARY. Salutes at the Forts and a Liberal Display of the Star Spangled Banner in the Port, A Democratic and Patriotic Dem- onstration at the Bou- levard Club. Independence Day at the Charita- ble Institutions. CENTRAL PARK AND THE CELEBRATION, A Demonstration by Irish Citizell@ at Belle- vae Park—Presentation of a Tipperary Flag. EXCURSIONS BY SEA AND LAND, Accidents by Fire and Fatalities by Sunstroke. With all the accompaniment of parades and picnics, the waving of flags, the harsh roar o! explosions and a prevailing jubilate, the ninety- seventh anniversary of the natal day of the Federal Union yesterday passed into history. Tne day was, as usual, very generally, almost universally, ob- served, though it is somewhat doubtful if it was as generally cvlebrated as was the custom and extent of the demonstration twenty years ago. The fact is, the nation feels itself becoming old now, and lancies it, aiter a fashion, in/radig. to plunge into such reckless enthusiasm as of old. Many pf the towns and villages throughout the land actually omit that old and time- honored annual brag-over-all-creation known as the Fourth of July oration, and there are not half so many Village blacksmiths’ anvils or iron blocks boreu out for the fring of salutes, A great fleal of this repression of cathusiasm is unques- uonably due to the late war. IN THE ANTE-REDELLION TIMES every hamlet had its “military” organtzation, which usually knew how to march straight and | turn corners to the right and leit. That was, as a rule, the sum of ai) their military proficiency, and there was no real reason why they should have ex- isted at all had it not been that they might “turn burn alittle gunpowder. But the terrible reality of the war did away with much of Uus business. It called most of these organizations into a service where soidiering was not a pastime and where the hurtling deadly missile. “Fourths’ were dull anpiversazies in tose years of blood, and men who saw ri fhtien Ai the Re onaness OF Tale pATRIOTISM ve >f peace for the fared little on their return to lives ies almost juvenile fanfaronade of ceremonies Whic | formerly made up the celebration of the day. “> -—_, But it is a tradition of the day that the Stars and Btripes must be unfuried trom every flagstaff, and | that a certain amount of Gre, smoke and noise | must be in the atmosphere, and as a consequence fire-crackers, squihs and roarers are in order; and yesterday was no exception to this rule. Most of it was, of course, done by the young folks, and as Bgeneral thing the old folks didn’t like tt and }- rambled about it. ‘The fact is that the day or the manner of its celebration has become almost a nuisance, and it is well known that thousands of | people every year LEAVE THE CITY and go into the country to spend the day solely to escape the almost intolerable confusion and din of the pyrotechny. Be thts-as it may, however, it | ts a duty which is more or less recognized by everybody that the day shall be kept a great patriotic holiday, and it will be many, many years before it ceases to be celebrated in its present | blatant and demonstrative style. Nearly a cen- | tury in the life of the nation has now elapsed, and | the history of those years is full of the highest and toftiest examples of patriotism, of progress, of clv- Wization and religious advancement, as it is also | with some of the worst examples of human wenk- | ness and wickedness. The day which is thus | Annually commemorated is a day that re- Qounds to the interest and to the honor of all mankind. On that day was consummated the great charter of freedem jor the world, under the benign influence of which has grown a vast nation, with a speed apd endurability never equalled in the world. IP GUARANTRED "TO MAN the truest, fairest «nd most enlightened form of | government under the sun—the self-government of & community in which eacn individual aide in the government of the other, and in securing him | justice and protection. | ‘The weather yesterday was as auspicious for the | Decasion as the season in Which the great holiday | falls could be reasonably expected to afford. The | rr in the earlier part of the day was very | intense, and there was a sense of oppressiveness in the atmosphere that Was anything but ple . At no time during the day did the sky appear per- | fectly clear of cloud, but in addition to this tuere was 7 A LOFTY HAZE, that, while it seemed after a manner to ward off the direct rays and heat, had nevertheless the | effect of imparting @ humid, stifling warmtn to the | air. As the day advanced a light breeze sprung ap and the clouds floated through the upper air in | ater profusion, at times threatening, with what Boned like switt certainty, a severe thunder shower. It is impossibie to tell when the pyrotech- | Bian demonstrations began, for they had been | keeping up a sort of skirmish Ure for three or tour | Gays previously, and were frequent aud well de- fined through the whole of Thursday night. As early as halrpast four er five o'clock yesterday morning the unendurable small boy, with nis pocket stuffed with torpedoes and squibs, was in the street swaking the ecuves. AD hour or so later | the national guar en, 14 fuil uniform, were to be | seen on their way With hurried step toward the various regimental armories, it being prudently de- termined that THE PARADE OF THE DIVISION should take place in the cooler hours of the early morning. A little later there was bustling to and fro by jathers and mothers, with basket-laden families en route to the docks to embark in one or other Of the scores of excursion steamers an- nounced to sail in almost every direction about | the harbor, out to the ocean and up the rivers and the Sound. There were a few classes of people who worked yesterday ax nsual, their adherence to duty Les J @ necessity to msure the comfort or well being of the great inass that was bent on en- | joyment. Notable among tuem were the police | gnd the street ruiiroad emplovés, and while, asa | role, all Work under the federal goverment is #us- Ponder excenyng, perhape, Ue vst Olce Lepart- { COULD, Aor jubilation. The workmen admiring spectators. The fair meut, there was one extra branch of duty in which even Unele sam Ot PAO 6 AUER engaged in the fitting out of the Arctic search steamer ‘Tigress, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, were busy all day and all night, as usual, and the clink of hammers again: ‘the ship’s sides was kept up with ceaseless energy in apparent imitation of the explosive crash that resounded from the civil world without the pur- Meus of the national dockyard. During the middie hours of the day the crowds of people passing in . the various streets was by no means large, as the heat made pedestrianism neither safe nor pleasant. The consequence was that the street railroads Were very heavily patronized. But as evening came on the atmosphere gradually cleared, the breezes blew fresher and stronger, and per- spiring humanity stole out for exercise and to visit the evening resorts, Large crowds wended their Mio in the direction of the designated parks and public squares in which, under the auspices of ‘the Department of Parks, it that there would be DISPLAYS OF FIREWORKS. Once or twice the heavens looked as though the hurrying masses of taunder cloud would peich out their volleys of rain and extinguish the pected prroteoiny, of the evening; but these were only threats, and were, Jortunately, not realized, And 80, t plrgerend under all the circumstances, ‘Was passed the ninety-seventh anniversary of the national independence, the special ceremonies and observances Which combined to make the celebra- tion of the day being more particularly described in the reports which foliow. THE MILITARY PARADE. » The military parade on the Fourth is always looked upon by the masses as the great metropoli- tan feature of the day; and it never fails, rain or shine, to attract an immense assemblage of spec- tators, no matter where those in authority decide to locate the review. In former years the militia have always had many drawbacks to contend with in their great show-offs, Owing 20 tue sickly par- simony of the city money bag-holders they have been compelled to be reviewed in out-of-the-way Places, sometimes so inconventent as to necessi- tate a regiment marching by the reviewing officer in columns of four simply. Now, everybody who is at all familiar with the militia system of the city and the various difficulties it has had to meet year after year from par- ties who know just as much about military matters as the ordinary scavenger knows about portrait painting, is aware that its would-be savoir Jatre has encountered sneers and opposition when it should have ever been supported vy ardent friends; and that, consequently, the enthusiasts in the National Guard of late years have been numbered only by the dozens, when they should have been numbered easily by the hundreds, Yet it must be said that yesterday the militia had a better oppor- tunity to show what it is worth in numbers and iscipline than ever before. And the reason why and wherefore is this, in a nutshell. The “sojer boys” have now a reviewing ground, one which, if not every way suitable to the mancuvring of a division, at least affords every advantage for A GRAND PARADE, that is, the Union square plaza. It is true that this plaza has its drawbacks at present—that it 18 by no means what it ought to be for the manceu- vres of a division like that which New York de- lights to honor, We all know that in general Maneuvring of brigades it gives no scope what. ever; still itisan immense improvement upon the review grounds of the past, and as such should be given all credit. Now as to the parade yester- day, Taking it all in all it was one of the very best parades we have had for years on the Fourth, 1t should be borne in mind that Fourth of July mili- tary reviews and parades, so far as the regular militia is concerned, are never noted for a grand display of numbers; for the holiday season and the country attractions are always too strong even for the most enthusiastic military denizens of this metropolis of arms. And yet the parade of yester- day came not in any respect behind any of its pre- decessors. it 1s saie to Say that the opportunities offered by the new pl for an immense display betore the criticad public had a great deal to do with the general euccess. It was understood that the Mayor would review the troops, and that a large assemblage of military big-bugs trom pear and afar would, a8 tie French say, “assist” the old gentleman in his eftorts to do. | the honors of the occasion, ‘The Mayor was prompuy on hand, and the assistants Were not behind hand at the right hour. THE CROWDS AT THE PLAZA, It generally takes a considerable time for a division to get into line on the Fourth, particularly when that division is composed of men who do Lot go to bed at “taps’? every night; yet this citizen fact, always so well exempitfied on the eve betore the Fourth, aid not in the least make the regiments less prompt or the brigades less punctual in getting into position. As early as seven o'clock (A. M. be it understood) crowds began to gather in t had becn announced and about Union square. ‘he police came to hand | good and early too, and it was well that they did, out” on the Fourth of July. “ran” a picnic and | for about eight o'clock the square, the pla itself and all the blocks adjoining became so filled up with eager sight-seers, that locomotion from one Street to another in the vicinity became a matter of utter impossibility. Indeed, not onjy the side- waiks were crowded, but every house @ good view of the howl of every explosion was the alarm of some | in iis e from which parade couid be witnessed held | ‘at every window, its quota of ex predominated nook and corner y stor, verywhere. They filled up ev which the lords of creation were tearful to take hold of lest life and limb might be endangered; they boldly took possession of private piazzas, and even at times went so lar as to push their way into houses wherever open halt doors seemed to invite A GENERAL WELCOME, Still householders and everybody else who might | ave nv LOY othes time o! the year felt aggrieved a outsidé Lagrusioti considered the ways and means resorted to f soge outlook by the good humored gatherings quite matural under the circumstances, and so a8 far as the crt ng 9 the crewds and the packing up of Ciné 8, howse: tops and piazzas were concerned, there ‘was noth- ing engendered ot iil feeling, and everything passed om tn sogd bums and jott m e See S THe PARADE. It was near nine o’ctock when the head of tne procession devouched from Sixteenth street. ‘The route had been, before the plaza was reached, up Madison avenue to Forty-second street to Fifth avenue and tlence down to Sixteenth street through to Union square. All along the route there was an immense crowd of spectators on the sidewalk; yet they were, im most part, moving crowds which followed the regiments piecemeal down to the Square, yep ‘om the farthermost distance of the March; and the result was that when the head of the column swung into Broadway, opposite the Park, there came along with it @ struggle and a crusb of thousands, which | the police had hard work to control. The Mayor and several other dignitaries at once took up a po- sition on the piazza of the little cottage on the north end of the square, when it was announced that the head of the division was near at hai aud so during the entire review he and his orn: mental followers were enabled to play the part of reviewing oficers commendably, and with suill- cient military zeal to appear au Jait, so.as to com- Mand the admiration of all the regiments passing by. The fact is Mr. Havemeyer showed that, even though he may not be a military man, dri: in all tue Ways that military men militarily should go, he is quick to learn the ceremonial necessities tncum- bent upon a military reviewing oilicer, He did ad- mirably, rev 1 properly, and did not make a single mistake, even technical, during the entire review THE RIGHT OF THE LINE. Some peculiar people may find jault with the fact that the division did not march m regular brigade order. Indeed, some carping so-called military critics of late have seen fit to decry the custom o/ putting, or rather question the right of any General of division to put, one brigade in parade before another which does not stand numerically first in line, There is no military iaw or regulation in this State which makes it arbi- trary upon a general of division to regard any brigade, no matter what its number im rank, as by right entitled to a cert#la position in line. it is the practice, however, m the regular army, in parades, to give at diferent times the rignt of the ine to diferent regiments in brigades or to differ- ent brigades in divisions. «lt is solely & matter of option With the commanding officers, and as there 18 no fixed regulation about the matter it is very hard to see What fault can be found with an officer who sees fit to eXeicise his discretion one way or the other. This, by way of preface and not apology for the fact that the Third brigade yesterday in the parade had the rignt of un Jeneral Varian was absent, and by seniority Col nel Clarke, of the Seventh, became the commander of the brigade. It is needless to state that he acted the part of a brigadier with all the grace and dignity Wich are expected of @ brigadier of such a brigade as the Third. But as to the review, THE VARIOUS REGIMENTS. ‘The Seventh, Lieutenant Colonel Kyder in com- mand, headed the line, fourteen (les front, in full dress uniform, white pants. The regiment marched past the reviewing stand, company front, in steady order, but it must be said did not do ‘itselt any particular credit. To tell the truth, the marching was “slouchy” and by no means came up to waat everybody knows the Seventh can do when it likes, ‘The salutes of the officers were excellent. ‘The Ninth came next, ten files front, lookin spruce and steady and commanding general adimi- ration, The Eighth made a good show by marching divi- sion tront before the stand. ‘The regiment had only ten files tront, but had no band, uniortunately, It had @ drum corps, however, which made as much noise as twenty non-concording bands, Ac- cording to strict regulations the Kighth, without a band, had no right to parade, even though it did parade well unaer ail the circumstances of the sitiation The Haw anijorm, were almost t kins Zouaves, in their new dark bine recognizable. They NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, JULY 5,, 1873. the officers were not what they might have been to make them pertect. ‘The Fi'ty-fiith had ten files front, Gey coats and Whire pants, with their battery. The paarching was acd and the salutes of the officers generally correct. The Washington Grays appeared to‘advantage, much more so, indeed, than they used to years ago, when they were under the command of men who cared more for their feathers and paraphernalia generally t! the good of the corps, The Twelfth regiment had fourteen files front. It marched by the reviewing stana steadily, but rather stiMy. ‘The band did not turn out opposite the reviewing stand, and the regiment started on the double quick aiter the last company had passed the stand. As the regiment was not the last in line of the brigade it ought not to have done 80, The Seventy-first bad eighteen files front. Its band committed the same blunder, although the regiment marched splendidly and solidly past the reviewing stand, The Seventy-ninth had ten files front. Its march- ing, as the cotton brokers say, was “Hair to mid- diing.”” Its dark uniform made it look funereal on such @ warm day. The artillery and the cav: ry poner the stand in good order. ‘The artillery galloped by on the doubie quick, and appeared ‘to better advantage than it has in years past. The Fiith regiment had sixteen fles front. The band did not wheel out when it came to the stand. The marching was steady, the salutes of the officers rather unmilitary generally, The Sixth regiment came pj t in good style solidly enough as a rule, but with the company lines rather broken and undisciplined, The drum corps wheeled out of line at the stand, but the band went on ite way to Fourth avenue, regardless of consequences. ‘The Eleventh hed twelve files front and marchea steadily. The drum corps wheeled out at the stand and gave asalute roll to the Mayor, and yet the band marched away at the head of the colamn, Playing all the while, ‘The Highty-fourth had ten files front and marchea rather clumsily. The salutes were miser- able. The men in this regiment evidently knew more than their oficers. The officers, at least many of them, shouid exchange places with the privates; ba might then become good soldiers, ie Ninety-sixth had twelve files front. The meronng was simply despicable, The band did not turn out in time at the stand, Altogether the parade was @ very good one. There was @ pleasant breeze during the march; heavy clouds somewhat softened the rays of the sun, and thus the soldiers were enab!ed to go through their annual ordeal without any great fear of danger. THE VETERANS OF 1812, At sunrise yesterday morning Adjutant J. Gould Warner, the adopted son of the Veterans of the War of 1812, together with a number of patriotic citizens from Harlem, hoisted the flag on the old block fort at the upper end of the Central Park. When the Stars and Stripes were thrown to the wind loud and prolonged cheers went up from the crowd, aud a drum corps and fifes from the Sixth Tegiment band played a patriotic air. At ten o’clock in the morning the Veterans as- sembled at Neilson Hall, on Fifteenth street, tne armory of the + ‘h regiment, Here, after a speech by Adjutant Warner, they partook of a grand lunch, Which was laid ior them by the regiment. adjutant Warner, in his speech, told the ‘Vets’ and the members of the Sixth regiment that on the 23d of August there would be a picnic of the Veterans at the East River Park. The announcement was re- ceived with cheers, and all the regiment declared they would attena, SALUTES FROM THE FORTS. The scene in the bay and around the Battery was a very fine one yesterday. Flags were flying from Castle Garden, from the HERALD Ship News Ofice, from the Corn Exchange and all public buildings near the Battery, with the single excep” Uon of the barge office, which seems too rotten and dingy a building to be decorated even on the national holiday, The great Battery flag was hoisted at hal{-past four o'clock in the morning, at sunrise. The bay itself glistened with the Stars and Stripes and all the bright colors of the different nations of the earth English, French, Spaniards, Austrians, Italians—they had ali hoisted the glorious banner, that seemed an emblem of the day as well as of Ameri- can independence. ‘The masts and the rigging of some of the ships were almost hidden behind a galaxy of stars, and the various flags formed a very picturesque draping to the graceiul Imes that pointed to the sky. Even the gloomy black hulis looked pretty under these gay colors. TUIS FEAST OF FLAGS seemed to be universal. The excursion boats, the tugboats that darted swiftly to and tre, and even the small rowboats displayed the national banner, Wherever the eye could see there were the Stars and Stripes—on the water, on the land, over in Brooklyn, where they formed a brilliant line, ex- tending for miles; on Governor's Island, where they waved over the gloomy fortress of stone; in Jersey, where all the docks and piers seemed dazziing with blue and white and red, ‘There was ze, und Kuots of people stood on the Battery looking at the ships and flags aud waiting to hear the salutes from the forts, The poor emigrants im Castle Garden, who inay have been but twenty-four hours in America, evidently undersivod that — this Was a day Of national rejoicing and were deter- mined to make the best of it, ‘They fired off crack- ers and celebrated the Fourth of July as if ney had been born here. At twelve o'clock the salutes from the forts began. There was something grand and mighty in the heavy. deep yoar of the cannon which had scarcely begun on one side when it was answered on the other, “The Frolic, which was lying off the Battery, several other men-ol-war and a number of foreign &ceamers all contributed to this powerful As the bright flash of flame came darting Out with the rapidity of lightning, tollowed by a Cloud Of smoke and a quick, tremendous burst of eT, emed as though all these voices of were saying—“American greatness and liberty.” AS soon as the first dense cloud of smoke jost in the air another boom followed, another other, till the great voices became hushed, and the smoke cleared away, and all became still as betore. THE TRINITY CHIMES, Quite acrowd of early celebraters assembled about Old Trinity yesterday to hear the chimes that for years beyond the memory of living man have rung 4p all the great holidays ofthe Republic. Chimes as @ general thing are more musical to the ear when they are a mle or two in the distance, and their merry greetings of Independence Day were, doubt- leas, more rateful to hearers on Brooklyn Heights ‘ot than ose patriotic auditors who listened diyectly underneats their resounding clangor. And to the veteran Ayliffe himself, who, by munici- pal invitation, performs upon them at least four times a year, their tones must tear and rend his lympanum until he, doubtiess, wishes there were co Christmases or Fourths ol July, But it has been the custom to ring chimes ever since Bow Bells turned young Whittington to jortune and the Mayoralty, and so long as It is a custom or there is a possibility of their impressing any resident young Whittingtons, they ought to be encouraged. Notwitustanding the clangor and creaking of the clappers, and their striking More notes than the musical scale called for, the crowd, Impressed with the honest patriot ism of the ringing, listened with demonstrative de- light around the doorways and churchyard of the grand old cathedral, while across the clear waters of the North and East Rivers the silvery notes driited with a harmony as sweet as the fabled singing of the sirens. “Hail Columbia,” “Yankee Doodle,” “The Red, White and Blue” and other pieces especially in accord with the patriotic sen- timent of the day, were vociferously cheered, while such sweet airs as “The Last Kose of Summer’ and the Scotch melodies trom ‘Guy Mannering” were received with a milder, but still appreciative approbation. THE DAY AT TAMMANY HAL Grand Gathering of the Sachems in the Big Wigwam—George the Third and Grant the First—Speeches of Mr. Aus gustus Schell, Hon, Clarkson N. Potter, Abraham K. Lawrence, 8. 8, Cox, De= iano C. Calvin, Rufus Andrews and General Spinola. The Tammany Society met at ten o’clock yes- terday morning in the Council Chamber of the great Wigwam, Fourteenth street, and marched thence in procession to the large meeting hall, where they celebrated the Fourth of July—our great national holiday—with the usual appropriate ceremonies, Mr. Augustus Schell, Grand Sachem, presided; and the officers selected for thé occasion were— Sachems John Keuy, Jobn W. Chanler, Samuel J. Tilden, John Fox, Abraham RK, Lawrence, William ©, Conner, Thomas Dunlap, Nathaniel Jarvis, Jr. Abram 8. Hewitt, Miles B, Andrus, Edward L, Donnelly, James B. Nicholson, William H. Wicka Arthur Leary, Treasurer; Joel 0. Stevens, Secre- tary; John D. Newman, Wiskinskie; Charles H. Haswell, Sagamore; Alfred T. Ackert, Scribe of the Council The Grand Sachem and the Sachems appeared apon the platform in the insignia worn by them on important oecasions, The hall was decorated with the flag that has “braved the batcie and the breeze,” though it has not been in exist- ence for “a thousand years.” ‘The band of the Seventh regiment was stationed in the gallery, ) | and played at intervals during the proceedings. eyebt Liles drunt and marched well, Tae salutes of { There Wag O large attendance pf the mengral ' pubic, but the hall was not uncomfortably filled, | though the heat was almost intolerable. ADDRESS OF THE HON AUGUSTUS SCHELL. Mr. AUGUSTUS SOBELL said they were assembled in this their great Wigwam, according to the usages and customs of their society, on this the natal day of America, to take general counsel on those subjects which were of great. interest to them and to the country. The history of this society (rom its earliest period conformed with that of the constitutional government of the country, and the society had been in the habit on each returming | Fourth of July of’ meeting in the Wigwam and taking counsel, and so wise bad been its counsel hitherto, and so discreet had been its action, that, through all the history of this govern- ment those counsels had been heeded and ita actions had been conformed to by the whole people of this government. If in times past it had been proper for this society to call together the friends of civil and religious freedom, no time was more opportune than the present to take counsel, Within the last few years their government had been ruled by corruption, Within the last few years efforts had been made to concentrate all the wers of the State in the general government, uring the last year that government, by the strong arm of military power, had taken to itself the rights of an individual State. This government had hitherto exercised its powers for the good of the several States, but it had now thrown aside all pretexts, and had, by bayonets, taken to itself the government of Louisiana. If, heretofore, it was wise for the society to meet and take counsel as to the condition oi the country, he could say that no time was more fit than now to give the nation its views upon public questions. They were now as sembled for that purpose, and in the course of the day they would hear words of wisdom from those who were Well quanfled to utterthem. Mr. Schell then called upon James ©, Spencer to read the Declaration of Independence, coupling the re- uest with the expression of a wish that the aual- lence would give attention to the words contained in the Declaration, so necessary now to be promul- gated through the whole lengtu and breadth of the ‘and, (Cheers,) READING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. J. ©. SPENCER, in an impresstve and solemn manner, read the Declaration of Independence, When he had finished reading the audience cheered enthusiastically, The Glee Club sang “The Star Spangled Banner,” SPEECH OF HON. CLARKSON N. POTTER, Hon, CLARKSON N. POTTER Was n introduced to the meeting by the chairman. He was loudly applauded, In the course of his speech the honor- able gentlemun said they had assembled to celebrate the ninety-seventh declaration. of American inde- pendence, It was a declaration sustained amid great sufferings and great trials, The separation o! America trom Great Britain was a thing that was sure tocome. And amtd the possibilities of the future the invasion of the country by England was a thing not to be counted. ‘There was now great prosperity tn the nation. Roads, canals and railways were beiug built. The ships of America were to be seen whitening every sea. But, amid all this prosperity, was not there cause for slarm ? Was there not a loss of public virtue? Was there not great plundering in public places and were not heavy taxes imposed upon the taxpayers? The adventurer and the scaiawag took the place of men who had a deep interest in the prosperity of the country. Rash adventures took the place of steady industry. Men were in a hurry to rich, Ilow lar was it possible to remove these evils by a change in the existing state of things’ The age was not tavorable jor such & change. Their fore- fathers had thoroughly considered the whole sab- ject of arepublican government, but men of the sz Mhgs and Chinese lanterns were hung sfound ‘the verandah, At the back of the Club House, facing the Hudson, there was erected a@ Stage or platform, which was also decked with Magsand hung with lanterns. Around the grounds, usider the trees, dinner tables were set, ‘to affora the members an opportunity of eating an open air dimner, The flower bed in front of the house haa been newly laid out, and yesterday pre- sented a pretty picture. At sunrise a large number of the members of the club assembled on the grounds. A grand reveille was beaten and the American flag raised, to the music of @ cannon, from which thirteen salutes were fired, in nonor of the old thirteen Staves. The Boulevard Quartet Club, assisted by other musical talent and the club members present, sang the ‘‘star Spangled Ban- ner’ and other patriotic songs. At twelve o’clock thirty-eight guns were fired in honor of the thirty- eight States which now comprise the Union, Rt ieee o'clock Profeasor William M. Jelliffe recited e tion of Independence. When the familiar pa: were read the sgudience cheered — loud! and long. The reading finished, sev Members of the citizens, who joined in the chorous, At fourP. M. Mr. Jerome Buck delivered an oration, whicn seemed to touch a cord in the hearts of hie hearers that had not previously been sounded, Every time the gentleman made allusion to the stir- Ting deeds of the Revolution the enthusiasm oi his hearers was unbounded, aud broke jorth in thun- ders of patriotic applaase. Mk, BUCKS REMARKS, ‘The orator opened with a trivute to times gone by but not forgotten. The orator said that, under the constitution, ours ee an unrivalled system ot ‘fae id that in the integrity these whose care the vindication of the tenets of that sacred instrument were intrasted depended the nation’s rosperity and existence. “The glory of the anders of the Republic,” said Mr. ‘Buck, “is and boven at sue hour, every one satisfied with 6! ‘8 sport The steamer ‘Bunnysiae, Captain Teson, of the Albany and Troy line, also started on a trip’ up the Hudson, for Newbarg, from the foet of enty- third street, at about nine bt r havi stopped on her way 1@and from Fulton ferry the various piers to take up passengers. She made landings, on her way tou Newburg, at the well- known, pleasant reso! Iona Island, and at Cozzens’ dock, West t, Schilling’s band ac- companied the exoussion, and music added te the: enjoyment o jay. “tne ‘Thomas Collyer left foot of Twenty-third street half an hour later than the Sunnyside, bound on a similar trip. She had a |: number of pas- sengers, Who were entertained the day by muse from the Governor's Island B: ‘There were also many shorter excursions, for the benefit of those who could not or did not wish to- spend the whole day on the river. Among these were the four trips of the New Champion, from the foot of Twenty-third street, to Yonkers, which afforded a sail to hundreds. Also the excursions to Fort Lee, Pieasant Valley and Shady Side, by steamers leaving every haif hour from Spring street. Besides these there were numerous barges, loaded down with their living freight of pienickers, which visited the various points of interest along the river. On the Sound. The excursion of the steamer Elm City up the Sound to New Haven and back was patronized by @ great number of pleasure seekers, The steamer left Peck slip at eight A. M. and New Haven, returning, at half-past eieven P. The Seawanh: trom pier 24 East Rive A. M., carried hogy of numbers to Coll Great Neck, Cia teland, Sand’s Point, Gienwood. Glen Cove and Roslya, and returned to the city af about six P.M, Down the Bay. During the day thousands crossed the Upper Bay,. bouna for Staten Island on the ferryboats or for Coney Island on the steamers General Sedgwick, , at nine Point, eclipsed by that of the nation’s preservers and cus- todians, From the Revolution sprang a George Washington to command, by rare virtue and a con- scieutious pursuit of duty, the admiration of the World; the conflict of 61 and ’65 has born co-ordi- nates in Generals George B, McUlellan, Thomas and Sherman, not iorgetting the lamented Farragut. One great duty is now yen us, and itis well to commence on this auspicious day to perform it, Let us take back to our hearts those who have so deeply injured our country and our- selves. We have put them in the quiver of the Union, let us now re-establish them in our estimation and our love—they are the bone of our bone, the flesh of our flesh. Tnough they have erred greivously, let this holiday be the renewal of the love which brothers owe to brothers. A com- mon language, which our mothers first made familiar to our ears, in which we wooed and won our frag 9 and the common sacrifices of our ancestral heroes are the ties which bind us to them.’ The orator ended with an eloquent pero- ration, concluding with “Our country, our whole country and country every one.” Alter the oration Mr. Charies H. Kitchel introduced Mr, Henry Demorest, who recited “Shamus O’#rien,” “Sheridan’s Ride” ana “Barbara Frechie’’ were admirably rendered by Protessur W. H. Pepe. Ex-Alderman Alexander Martin made an address in German, French “and several other langaages spoken by no one but Mr. Martin,” said Mr. Kitchel. Mr. Hall, of Boston, sang “The Sword of Bunker Hill.” Mr. Kitchel in- troduced “Young America” in tte person of Master Franklin Bush, who deligkted and aston- ished the assembled clans with a broken English song, “Schendir’s Barty.” present day, hurried on by amoitious yiews, merely looked at forms of government. The fathers of the Republic declared that government was for the people and irom the people. This was a new idea of government. They declared tnat government should pe tree from absolute power; they laid down what the government should do and what it should not do. They also held that government shonld be localized. The fathers rebelled becanse they knew that a government in another county could not provide for their necessities, G was decided that each State should govern its own affairs. It would be a great hardship if other men were called in to govern their Jamilies. So it was in regard to local matters. A strange government could not deal with Jocal transactions. The fathers did right when they abolished primogeni- ture and mortmain. Daniel Webster said rigot when he asserted that liberty consisted in the limitations of government. Having referred to the great expansion of trade and travel in the United States Mr. Fotter ciaimed that, in consequence of many inventions and the vast trade of the country, it was impossible that the fathers conld have tor- seen the evils that now existed. The parties that arose under the State and federal systems were federalists and States’ rights men. But the rights of States were not of much importance, except in sofar as they tended to preserve local rights, Many democrats took the side of the South, not because they were in favor 01 slavery, but because they were in favor of the rights of States. When steamboats went up the rivers trade was increased, intercourse between people was extended, and the telegraph brought Men at distant points into immediate communica- tion. He adverted to the war im the South and the cheney in the constitution as tend! bring about the present condition of affair: ie demo- cratic party had raised its voice in favor of State rights. What the people willed they would have. Changes had been made in the constitution, some of them thought, reguriariy, and, as others thought, irregularly. They found themselves to-day in the face of a new situation, The present evils resulted chiefly trom special and private legisia- tion. New York now had as much population as the country had at the time of the Revolution. Men, beginning with the primaries, got represen- tatives to go to Albany, not to represent the Pann but the jobbers who sent them there. The egisiature had sat thirty days over its legitimate time, owing to the number of special bills before it. There would be no improvement in legistation until the Legisiature was ogg of the power of passing private special bills. ith the power of Special legislation in Congress corruption would be sure tocome, Another evil was the growth and accumulation of ofmMctal patronage. To-day there were in the hands of the President 80,000 ap- ointments, By the aid of the telegraph he knew in the —, what occurred in Oregon just aswell as in Maryland, and he was thus able to keep up this army of office-holders to control even the elections. The best government was that which gave favors to none, but equal justice to all. Corporations were great evils. And evils of this character could only be controlled by laws limiting the operations of eowey and restricting within proper boundaries the power of great corporations. The difficulties tn government increased as the .Dimbers to be governed increased, It was proper that the government which their fathers left for the management of a thin and sparse population should not be adapted to a great and powertul peo- ple. He knew that the people complained, and he knew, too, that the only way of stopping the concentration of power in the hands of the federal government was by limiting and localizing the power of government, The honorable gentleman in concluding his speech was londiy cheered, LETTERS OF APOLOGY. Mr. J. C. SPENCER read a letter of apology from Horatio Seymour, dated Utica, July 2, regret- ting that he could not attend the ceiebration, and saying thatin common with their friends in all parts of the Union he Jelt a deep interest in all that concerned the welfare and prosperity of the Society, and if at any time its history had been Stained by unworthy men their career was short- lived in comparison with its patriotic career through many years. (Cheers.) It would be a public loss if the Society, embracing as it did dis- eae members, should be allowed to loge any of its capacity for usefulness or be perverted from its proper purpose. Honest, high-toned men must take charge of it and restore it toan henored po- sition. It would be as unwise to abandon it be: cause some of the members have been neglectful of their duty as to neglect city, State and national government because members of those bodies nad been guilty of corruption. (Cheers, ‘There was @ telegram from Governor Walker, of Virginia, stating that he could not attend: a letter from Richard Vaux, of Philadelphia, stating that they lived toslay under as great a tyranny as they did in the days of any of the Georges. He gave them this sentiment :— GEORGE THE THIRD AND GRANT THE FIRST; overthrow the uSarpations of the latter, and then ba haa have the peace covenanted by the Union.” (Cheers). Letters of apology from Hon. F. A. Conklin and several others were also read. “Tail to the Union,” sung by the glee club, SPRECH OF ABRAHAM R, LAWRENCE. Mr. ADRAHAM R. LAWRENCE, Who was most en- thusiastically cheered, made a brief and spirited speech, in the course of which he thanked the Reo ple of New York for the support they gave him jast Fall, when he was @ candiiate for a public ofice—a support of which any man might be proud. (Cheers,) He predicted the return of the to power in the democratic Ma State and nation. He believed in economy, bat he did net believe that economy was meanness or niggardliness. (Cheers.) He believed what an honest debtor should be paid his debt, and that he should not be delayed in its collection. He did not believe that reform consisted in stopping all public works—(cheers)—he did not believe that reform consisted in saying that every person who had a claim against the city should go to law and prose- cute it to the Court of Appeals before it was paid. Cheers.) \ Among the other akers were S. S, Cox, Delano ©. Calvin, Rutus Andrews an General Spinola. Mr, Cox was brilliant and sar castic as usual, and General Spinola attacked the administration with considerabie vigor, denounc- ing Tom Marphy, Bliasand bavenport, and refer- ring to the latter as @ ereceping, Cae f tyrant, who would not dare to send Mr. Dana, of the Sun, to Washington jor trial for an offence alleged to have been committed in this district if the press of New York would only speak ouvon the matter ‘ag they should. The proceedings lasted four hours, and at their close che visitors were entertained at 1unch by the Society. AT THE BOULEVARD CLUB. For the past four years the Boulevard Club has celebrated Washington's birthday and the Fourth of July in & manner befitting the occasions, but never before was the glorious Fourth celebrated in such @ patriotic manner as it was yesterday. The THE FIREWORKS, In the evening rockets were fired and baloons Jet off. A grand pyrotechnical display ended the most enjoyable celebration. THE PARK’S PLEASURES. Remote from the sputter and snap of the cracker and the sharp explosion of the torpedo hurled from every infant hand, distant from the horrid din and danger of frearms in the hands of elders, and enjoy- ing near at hand to home ali the delights of the country, which thousands of others sought further away, with many pleasures unusual to pastoral ex- istence, thousands of people spent the Fourth calmly and pleasantly in the Park. There could be no more charming idling place. Walt Whitman might there .“loaf and invite his soul”’ to a contemplation of nature, assisted by the appliances of art, in the calmest contentment. Those surging thoughts which find strange expression in rugged verse, would be quelled by the vision and sounds, But however Walt might be effected in the Park, it is sure that the thousands had a good time there yes- terday. Their souls were not harrowed by the necessity to note that urchins whom they passed were not intent upon attaching a@ pack of crackers to somebody’s coat tail, and to prevent the start and fright from such an attachment. Nothing, indeed, to rutile their minds—everything to calm and accord them with the serenity and beauty of their surround- ings. The juveniles, who were out in | num- bers, did not wear a cynical expression of disaain for the explosive amusement of their fellows down town. They only seemed to have squandered their pyrotechnics early in the aay, and to have resorted the Park toa save their feelings from Jaceration by secing other youths in the cen- tinued enjoyment o! pleasures that had gone from. them, They crowded the base ball field, 80 much, indeed, that though it is ample, with proper ar- rangement, to accommodate a great number of players, none of the contestants yesterday had room for their game. It would be useful, to pre- vent annoyance and ill feeling among the boys, if the Park Commissioners would mark out a certain number of places for games on the ar and allow no more __ contestants than such sites. The promenade and Mall were crowded with nice young men and “real eweet” young ladies. The greater number of these made the music stand their objective point, where they discussed the weather and the man- ners of their neighbors in the assemblage in the intervals of wrapped and critical attention to the selections of the Park Band. On the lakes the boats were plied with sturdy strekes by the bronzed “‘gondoliers,” who sweated with the exertion necessary to convey the damsels of “gerial form and heavenly face’? and attendant maie friends along the shores, A band was also in a barge, which was moved slowly up and down the lake ; put, asits selections were of @ very poororder, it did not add much to the pleasure of the persons in its vicinity. All the other places of interest were largely visited. In the cave, timid and imagina- tive femaies were affrighted at the ‘kness, out of which they seemed to Mee some hideous dryad te leap at them; and at the Museum, natural historians, devoid of the sense of smell, had much pleasure. At four o’clock the band in the music stand on the Mali began a concert, to which were attracted great crowds, wko filled the seats under the na- Merous canvas canopics and the spaces about them, The selections were varied, as will be noted from the annexed programme, and were per- formed with fine effect, especially the national airs at the close of the entertainment, The following ‘was the programme :— March, introductory. 1, Overture, “Jubel”. 2 Waltz, “Ariel Spirit i 8. Medley National, “The ( nion’ r 4. Grand Collocation, “Re 5 March,” *Jubilaun 6 Medley, “Home Thought 7, Waltz, “On the Beautiful Dapube’. PART It. 8 March, “Esperance” 9: Mazourka, “Voilet”.. 10. Selection “Un Baile haschera’ UL. Polka, “Anvil”, ART 1, Lindpainter -Liecker . Bodworth National The day could scarcely have been spent pleas- anter than by the visitors to the Central Park. To many, unless they can arrange to go out of town, the Fourth is for weeks a dire antielpation. Among those will never hereafter be reckoned wee visitors to our city’s great breathing place. EXCURSIONS AND PICNICS. The perplexing question of how best to spend the day presented itself yesterday to the hundreds of thousands of the citizens of this city who intended to make the occasion one of pleasure and enjoy- ment. All, or nearly all, were anxious to leave, if only for @ few hours, the heated bricks, the glar- ing pavements, the close atmosphere and the noisy confusion of the city, and so the probiem of pass- ing the day was discussed and solved according to the taste or convenience of each one, Some re- solved to visit the parks, others to make a short run in the country, while by far the greatest num- ber determined to have a sail on the rivers, bays, sound or ocean, and to breathe the fresh breezes and enjoy the magnificent scenery. To this end as soon as the day began thousands flocked from their homes to the wnarves, and, having embarked, sailed away on their pleasure excursions. On the Hadson. The steamer Wyoming, with music aboard and gayly dressed with flags, as were all the vesscis yesterday, steamed away from the foot of Thirty- fourth street at a little after eight A. M., alter hay- ing stopped at Peck slip, Fulton ferry, pier No. 4 North River and Christopher street, bound ona trip up the Hudson, There were hundreds of ladies, gentiemen and children aboard who had availed themselves of the opportunity of seeing the scenery along the banks of the river. The steamer passed, among other points of interest, the Pail- fades; also the home of Washington Irving; Idle. wild, the home of the poet N. P. Willis; the maynifi- from pier No. 6; the Golden Gate, from the Barge Office, and the Monitor, from the foot of Eighth street, Tae Lower Bay was crossed and recrossed. by an immense concourse of people all day. The Americus left pter No. 6 at noon and carried @ large party to Rockaway, were they enjoyed a. good bath in the surf. Tne Mattewan made a trip to Keyport and. back,. and was well patronized, Many other persons choose the Sea Bird, which left the foot of Franklin street and rau up the Sirews- bury River to Red Bank, stopping at the Highiands favesink, Sandy Hook and other points aloug her route. The Fishing Banks boats were also crowded. The. steamers Twilight, whicu leit foot of Eighth street, East River, aad the Charles Chamberlin, trom pier No. 5, proceeded down to the Banks, and Biter a. good day’s sport returned to the city. The races at Long Branch attracted an immense throng, a in consequence Of this the steamers Piymouth ck, Empire state, Newport, Jesse Hoyt and Great Metropolis, which rau on this line, were well filled on all their trips, The greatest excursion of all, however, was that. e of the STEAMER BRISTOL, from her wharf, foot of Murray street, out around the tship and back. This magnificent float- ing palace was chartered for the occasion by a well known theatrical manager o! this city. Never has such an excursion left this city before. Tne nearest approach to it was in 1870, when the Plym- outh Rock, loaded down with her cargo of men, women and children, steamed off to witness the ie internatioual contest for the Queen’s Cup, ‘hat was @ grand excursion; but when compared to the one of the Bristol yesterday it sinks into in- significance. e time of starting was ten o'clock, but as early as eight o’clock the passengers began to pour in ip one ceaseless stream, until the mourings were cast off and the colossal steamboat started on her way. As she left the pier crowds stood on itto witness her departure, and a handsome sight she must have been, with all her colors flying in the breeze, sailing majestically down to the Atlantic Ocean. The day ceuld not have been more propitious. The sky was sufficiently overcast to temper the rays of the sun, anda delightful southerly wind blew just hard enough to keep everybody cool and to add to the beauty of the scene by curling up the smooth suriace of the bay and ocean into thousands of sparkling wavelets. ‘Iwo bands nad been provided tor the occasioa—one, Hall’s Boston Brass Band, gave ® grand concert'in the stateroom saloon, aud the other, Dodworth’s Quadrille Orchestra, played below on the main deck, which had been trans- formed into a spacious ballroom. The energetic manager iniormed our reporter that he had paid Jay Gould $1,000 for the use of the boat and Would clear about three thousand dollare on his enterprise, having sold nearly*four thou- sand three hundred tickets, at $1 each. There ‘were about FOUR THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED SOULS aboard the steamer, nearly half of whom were ladies; but, notwithstanding this immense con- course of people, the boat was not overcrowded, there being plenty of room for dancing, wmch was indulged in by 9 great many of the young people. ‘Phis excursion, besides being the largest, was one of the most respectable, as, notwithstanding the great number aboard, not a single disturbance occurred. This was due, no doubt, to the efforts of the police, who numbered twenty-five, being ten metropolitan Rea and fifteen special. After leaving the wharf the Bristol steamed down the harbor, through the Narrows, passing Sandy Hook ‘at a quarter past eleven A. M.—one hour and a quarter sail. She then laid her course for the Lightship. Alter she had got over the bar the groundswell began to tell on her, and in con- sequence of the motion of the vessel the mirtn of some of the ladies of the party (as well as of some of the masculine gender also) began to subside. ‘Their interest was again awakened when at tweive o'clock precisely the Bristol passed the Lightship, which was gayly decorated with bunting, and which saluted the passing slup by ringing her bell. After proceeding about two miles further out tc sea the steamer turned round and repassed the Hook at one o'clock. She arrived off the foot of Murray street at @ quarter past two, but, owing to the strong southerly wind, ab hour elapsed before she was moored to the wharf and the passengers Were able to land. The most remarkable thing about this excursion, aside from the large number, was the general erder and good natare which prevailed throughout. ‘There were only TWO CASUALTIES during the day. One was while the boat was work. ing in the dock. During the delay a large crowd collected about the doo:s and it required all the efforts of the — to keep them back. In the crush one gentleman fainted. The other happened yorward on tne upper deck. A young man by the name of Wheeler accidentally iell through the hatchway and tumbled down the steps to the deck below, a distance of about fiteen feet, severely pe lepees | his hip. Notwithstanding these mishaps the excursion was a most success/ul one and will fea be remembered by those who participated ON THE EAST RIVER ISLANDS. A tour was made of all the institutions under the control of the Commiastoners of Charities and Cor- rection and the Commissioners of Emigration by the HERALD reporter, and everywhere on the islands he found the inmates of the institutions happy and enjoying themselves in a greater or less degree, according to the preparations that had been made to celebrate the anniversary of our in- dependence, On Randail’s Island. The inmates of Randail’s Isiand Reformatory, ot which Isaac ©. Jones is Superintendent, were sumptuously entertained with an extra bill of fare, music, recitations, &c. Services were held in the chapel at ten o'clock, by the Chaplain, Rey, Mr. Smyth, and at half-past ten the inmates, consisting of 432 boys and 92 girls, were assembled in the presence of the officers of the Reformatory, Man- agers Ketchum, Halsted and Herder, and a large number by! visitors, gg the chief exercises of the were inaugurated. sit ners, PROGRAMME, Singing—“Our Unele Sam’...-........ Opening piece—'Star Spangied Hanner” Reading Scriptures and Prayer. Declamation........, i Singing—"America’ Oration Singing— Speech Speers gl “The Chapinin hegeee ME. Peck ‘The inw: Rev. Mr. Mix ‘ « Speec! se eeecees Sona—"Young America’ Speech The boys Vv. Me, Ramsay gu The iris Singing—"van Gloing ‘Address, Benediction * 5 In the evening the inmates were tre: supper of rare delicacies. During the aiternoon base bali matches were played between the first and second divisions, and there were also spirited matches between the younger boys. The children Were allowed rest trom labor and all the ireedom. and enjoyment consistent with the rules and regu- lations. Mr. Jones eapries them with a small dis- ey fireworks, which the youngsters enjoyed, ugely. THE CHILDREN’S NURSERY, Warden Stevens and his charge celebrated the day in @ patriotic and appropriate manner. The ceremonies were inaugurated oy @ salute at sun- rise, aiter which the Kavdail’s isiand Guard, com- of youngsters under command of Mr. Reeves, rill master, went through some clever evolutions. ‘This was followed by the reading of the Declaration of Independence by the warses and the following iM PROGRAM! Song—‘Don't Be in s Hurr; t9, Go’ By 140 small boys eo B. OB: By me bo: Hymn—"The Litue Chi Krinclpal Address athem—"Liverty”? one—"Darling Little Dimple 2" "Comne he fing of ike te eur Country, ‘tis of Thee...By all ‘The balance of the day was devoted to ball piay- i) nero net, feasting en ice cream, cakes and can- pariors of the Ciub House were festooned with cent sceuery of the Highiauds, West Pout, &¢,, | and admiripg a display of Sreworks arranged