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Fourth Of July At The Asylum

Creator: n/a
Date: July 1852
Publication: The Opal
Source: New York State Library

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During the whole of last week, great impatience was manifested for the arrival of this day so dear to Free-men, and our kind superintendent, seeing the intense anxiety of all to give expression to our great patriotism, yielded to our ardent wishes, and gave us permission to anticipate the day. Ac-cordingly Saturday, July 3, was patriotically and enthusiastically observed.

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At sunrise we were notified by the loud and prolonged ringing of the bell, to prepare for the impressive observances of the day, and the "note of preparation" so early sounded, was responded to with cheerful alacrity. It had been deemed advisable to "reserve our fire" of rockets and of cannon "till the witching hour of night," and not indulge, at early dawn, in fillibusteric demonstrations, by raw recruits, dangerous alike to life and limb. After the summary of a well-ordered breakfast, our ever-attentive supervisors, assisted by active amateurs in the art tonsorial, proceeded with easy-moving elbow and with steady nerve, to smooth the faces of the sterner sex, or to give to the already well-appointed the formal cut appropriate to the day. This done we array ourselves in our best in the ample and well-furnished reading--room speak to one another of heroic deeds done in other days; rehearse the story of the hard-fought field, of strongholds impetuou-sly stormed and taken, the deadly onset, the momentary retreat, the rallying cry, the renewed assault, the shout of victory which brings a smile even upon the face of the soldier dying on the field; all these are spoken of, and honor to these who "fight-ing fell in freedom's cause" is the sovereign sentiment in every breast. At 10 o'clock, the tolling of the bell announces that the time has come for public mention of all these stirring incidents, for prayer to Almighty God that He will give us a spirit of humble thankfulness for all these blessings, and of praise also to Him, in whose name and by whose guidance the armies of our country marched forward to victory. Arrived in the chapel, we meditate in silence for a time on all these great events. On either hand, our National banners hang in graceful drapery from the lofty walls and inspire our hearts with sentiments of admiration, similar to those aroused in the breast of citizen at sight of all the stately decorations of the Pantheon, pride of ancient Rome. From our pleasing meditation, we were aroused by the deep-toned music of the organ, directed and controlled by a master-hand, welcoming the entrance of our Superintendent and his esteemed assistant., together with our beloved Pastor, and the Orator and Reader of the day. A momentary stillness ensues when again the soothing music steals upon the ravished ear, lulling our senses into sweet forgetfulness of all our sorrows, and anon arousing in us by outporing strains of music, and "concord of sweet sounds," an ardent wish to do such a deeds as will place our names pre-eminently fair among the immortal few "that were not born to die." Soon our beloved Pastor, keeper of a sorrowing flock, with humble accents and appropriate speech, implores the mercy of our Father in Heaven, and tells us with many thanks to their Divine Author, of all the benefits bestowed upon us, and asks in all the earnestness of devotional affection, that we may be ever grateful to God for all his goodness. And now the Choir, with more than Calliopean melody, celebrate in sounding verse, the day dedicated to freedom, and bring to mind the deeds done by our forefathers in the olden time, in a manner at once delicate and impressive, worthy even of fair "Polymneia" (muse of memory) herself. "Nam verum fateamur, amat Polyemnia verum." Then the Declaration of Independence, embodying the spirit of freedom handed down to us by those who rendered their names immortal by its construction and execution, and who were ready in their day and generation to ratify it even by the spilling of their blood, is read by Mr. Boyd, in an exceedingly beautiful and impressive manner, both by reason of the deliberate distinctness of his utterance, his calm and collected demeanor, and the musical intonation and modulation of his voice. It is impossible longer to suppress the applause, and acclamation long and loud burst forth, the spontaneous tribute of hearts grateful for the elegant accomplishing of this department of the day's proceedings. And now the Orator rises before us, stately and commanding in appearance, attention is at once fixed upon him, and right well and nobly does he do the duty assigned to him. With melting eloquence, he tells us of deeds of chivalrous daring done at Concord, Lexington, and Bunker's Hill, and moves us even unto tears by the recital of a tale told in brilliant language, and so fraught with incidents of personal daring and heroic firmness that we are proud of our forefathers, and proud too of him who is here with us to tell so eloquently of all their valor and their virtues. Passing from the consideration of these glorious deeds of other days, he mourns with true feeling and pathos, the death of the Statesman, "Henry Clay." A nation has been recently and suddenly plunged in grief, and the Orator stands before us and bewails our common loss with moving eloquence, and in manner more beautifully affecting than the plaintive, melancholy song of Pamphus, mourning at the tomb of Linus.

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