From Family Findings
Vol. IV, No. 3, July 1972, pp. 4-7
Copyright, Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society, 1972
Appears on this web site by permission

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION, 1824

Transcribed from early Madison County, Tennessee, newspapers on microfilm by Mary Ann (Mrs. L. R.) Mitchell.

 

JACKSON GAZETTE, June 5, 1824, No. 2, Vol. 1

            4th of JULY meeting of citizens of this town and its vicinity are requested at Mr. SAMUEL SHANNON'S spring on Saturday next at 3 o'clock p.m. to make arrangements preparatory to a celebration of the approaching anniversary of American Independence.

 

JACKSON GAZETTE. Saturday, July 3, 1824, No. 6, Vol. 1

            AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE: The 48th Anniversary of American Independence will be celebrated by the citizens of this town and its vicinity, this day in anticipation of the 4th tomorrow (being Sunday).

            The Declaration of Independence will be read by Mr. BIGELOW at 12 o'clock, and immediately afterwards an oration will be delivered by JOHN F. WYATT, Esq.

            CAPTAIN MURRAY'S company, the "Hickory Guards" will parade on Public Square and attend the place of celebration.

            Extensive preparations have been made, and great satisfaction is anticipated from celebration of the day. The Ladies are expected to attend and add additional zeal to occasion by a "dance on the green".

 

JACKSON GAZETTE, Saturday, July 10, 1824, No. 7. Vol. 1.

            FOURTH OF JULY: On the third inst. according to previous arrangement, a numerous assembly of both sexes attended the place appointed for celebrating the birthday of Freedom.

            An oration was delivered by JNO. F. WYATT, Esq. which to call appropriate to the occasion, would do little justice to the orator, who, for one hour, received the universal and undivided attention of the whole audience. His animated eloquence gave the best effect to the vivacity and fire of his able oration. The characters of some departed Heroes, were delineated in a masterly manner, while to the living he did ample justice.

            After partaking of a very excellent Barbacue, the following toasts were drunk, with salutes from the guns of CAPTAIN A. MURRAY'S Light Infantry Company of Hickory Guards. To this officer much is due, for his activity in parading the military on this occasion, a course peculiarly proper. That he merits our gratitude, the feeling address of thanks by COL. R. H. DYER, to him and his soldiers, gives sufficient testimony.

            The HON. JOSHUA HASKELL, presided, as President, assisted by COL. S. D. HAYS, COL. B. G. STEWART, and H. HARALSON, Esq. as Vice-Presidents.

1. "The Day we celebrate" — The birthday of American Independence; duly appreciated, and held sacred by it.s votaries.

2. "The memory of George Washington" — Encomium would be fulsome: Let expressive silence muse his praise.

3. "Thomas Jefferson and James Madison" — Ex-Presidents of the United States.

4. "James Monroe, President of the U. S." — The voice of an independent people will award him an escutcheon worthy of his services.

5. "The American Revolution" — Founded upon principle; its origin the source of lasting happiness to millions yet unborn.

6. "The memory of our fellow-citizens who fell in the late war" —Their services ate still fresh in our recollections.

7. General Andrew Jackson" — Our Chief in War; our Ruler in Peace.

8. "The 8th of January, 1815" — A day on which Britain's Invincibles crouched to American valor.

9. "Grecian Emancipation? — In a cause so glorious, she has our best wishes.

10. "The Western District of Tennessee" — The most. desirable part of our state.

11. "Internal Improvements" — The surest basis of National Wealth.

12. "Our Country" — "Breathes there a man with soul so dead, "Who never to himself hath said, "This is my own, my native land."

13. "Woman" — Her smiles our richest reward, her protection our

 

VOLUNTEERS

            By JUDGE HASKELL, President of the Day — Marquis De L'Fayette —Who in early life crossed the Atlantic, to offer upon the altar of American Liberty, his rank, his titles, his fortune, and his life. — With his arm he buried destruction on our enemies, while his blood flowed to cement the tottering fabric of our fortunes: To Americans his memory is ever interesting, but upon this occasion, our recollections of him must be peculiarly dear.

            By COL. S. D. HAYS — The Tree of Liberty — Its roots fixed in the Allegany mountain; its branches extended over the United States — May its shade protect our government from the withering ray of Faction and Intrigue; & may the end of the earth look to it as a sale refuge from the scorching flames of Monarchy and Aristocracy.

            By H. HARALSON, Esq. — Public Opinion — Never to be compressed or repressed by the inventions of all the artists in the political world.

            By COL. B. G. STEWART — Isaac Shelby. of Kentucky — The hero of King's Mountain. May his patriotism be ever remembered by his countrymen.

            By J. F. WYATT, Esq. — Thomas Paine — The Torch of Liberty, lighted by the blaze of enthusiasm.

            By COL. A. R. ALEXANDER — Washington — The founder of our Independence — Jackson born to perpetuate it. May he receive the gratitude due from the American people.

            By COL. R. H. DXER — The Government of the United States — May her Union remain inviolable.

            By A. A. KING — The Orator of the Day

            By JAMES CARUTHERS — The late Convention for the suppression of the African Slave Trade — May future ages hail its influence as the amanation of a time when God-like humanity was congenial to National policy.

            By WOODFIN — The Literary Institutions of the State of Tennessee.

            By A. L. MARTIN, Esq. — The Cross of Greece — May it be sustained by the Eagle of America.

            By MAJ. WM. HARRIS — The memory of Doct. James C. Bronaugh — The gentleman, soldier and scholar.

            By COL. WM. ARNOLD — Edmund P. Gaines — The gallant soldier and accomplished gentleman.

            By COL. JOHN MURRAY — The American Eagle — May she soar over the Rocky Mountains, and make nests of the Russian garrisons on the Pacific.

            By MAJOR A. B. BRADFORD — Our invited Guest. Col. A. R. Alexander —If an honest, independent, and conscientious discharge of his duties in Congress are of any avail, he merits the approbation of his constituents.

            By the same — Napoleon Bonoparte — The most consummate General the world ever produced, his achievements must be read with wonder and admiration when the names of his competitors in arms will have sunk into oblivion.

            By E. BIGELOW — United America — May "Liberty and Law Impartial watch the wonder of the world".

            By CAPT. ALFRED MURRAY — Col. James Lauderdale — Though his soul has gone aloft", his memory yet luxuriates in our national festivals.

            By C. D. M'LEAN — The memory of Benjamin Franklin — Distinguished alike for his abilities as a statesman, and his benevolence as a man.

            By J. R. CHALMERS, Esq. — The present impassing attitude of the State of Tennessee — A magical transition from youth to glorious manhood.

            By THOS. SHANNON, Esq. — The People of the Western District —At the next General Election for representatives, may they have an eye single to the merits of their candidates.

            By B. GILLESPIE, Esq. — John Quincy Adams — May he be Secretary to Jackson, and finally succeed him in the Presidential chair, for which his brilliant talents arid long services so eminently qualify him.

            By C. G. DUNLEY — The Navigation of the Mississippi — May it ever be free to the citizens of the United States exclusively, without any foreign or allied partnership.

            By LIEUT. R. LAKE — The Present President — His sun will set as his friends wished it rise — "Cicur".

            By R. MARSHALL — The Heroes who fought and bled at New Orleans —Their devotion to the cause of their country, has put the seal of immortality upon their actions.

            By D. M'IVER, Esq. — Gen'l Washington — Long may the free men of Colombia remember the day that his Britanic Majesty was removed from the helm of government.

            By WM. C. CROSS — Henry Clay of Kentucky — An orator, a Statesman, and a Republican.

            By L. S. HUNTER — Com. Perry — The champion of Lake Erie — His services and value will ever be appreciated by his country.

            By J. N. HANNA — Gen. John Coffee — The hero and Statesman.

            By MARK R. CHRISTIAN — Ripley — The first General of the North —His conduct at Erie and Bridgwater is duly appreciated by the American people.

            An agreeable Brand Dance, with good music closed the festivities, to the entire satisfaction of the whole Assembly.