Changes in the Manner of Observing the Fourth of July

1895

READING THE DECLARATION

Changes In the Manner of Observing the National Birthday

With the late civil war began a new era in our national life. The preservation of the Union became the absorbing topic of thought among the loyal people of our land. The great national anniversary continued to be celebrated, but in a modified degree. Instead of ovations largely devoted to the apotheosis of the American eagle as the hope of the world, there were thoughtful discourses concerning the duty of every American citizen at that momentous period. The putative crimes of old King George were almost forgotten, and in many places the farewell address of Washington, the peerless plea for national union and public virtue, was read instead of the Declaration of Independence. Ever since that war the public reading of that Declaration has been less and less observed. It is well to "Let the dead past bury its dead" and to direct our energies to the strengthening of our national life. Let our boys and girls have all the innocent fun and healthful amusement on the Fourth of July and express their joy as loudly as they please. Would it not be well for their seniors to follow the example of ancient Hebrew fathers, who required their sons to come at the time of the celebration of the passover and inquire "What mean ye by this service?" and then gave them full instruction concerning the origin and significance of the great national festival? By means of such home education on our great anniversary Young America might receive valuable instruction that would stimulate and foster true patriotism. — Benson J. Lossing in Independent.


Depew's First Fourth of July Oration

Chauncey M. Depew will always associate the Fourth of July with his first attempt as an orator, this important event taking place at Peekskill when the great after dinner speaker was 21 years old. Mr. Depew had then just graduated from Yale and was not so fluent of speech as he is now. The late James W. Husted was present and also delivered an address. "Our Chauncey" remembers that for the first and only time in his life he experienced "stage fright." "The audience were very kind to me," he said, "and appeared to be very much interested, although I felt every moment that I should break down. I can still hear their cheers in my ears as I finished, but I felt nevertheless that I had made an utter failure of my first attempt. Husted made a much better speech than I did. He laid special stress upon the injustice of England. Just when the mother country was getting it the worst an Irishman in the audience called out: 'Good! Give 'em h—l, Mr. Husted! Give 'em h—l!' This incident was the only one which at all relieved my downheartedness on this occasion." — New York Press.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Newark, Ohio, June 29, 1895, page 3.