Fourth of July, 1834

[COMMUNICATED]

FOURTH OF JULY

The birth-day of our country’s liberty was celebrated in this place by the Lafayette Artillery in handsome style. The day was peculiarly favorable, a continued breeze and a sufficient overcast to prevent the scorching rays of the sun, rendered it pleasant and agreeable.

At 9 o’clock, the company paraded, and after performing a variety of militaty manoeuvres and firing the national salute, the company was dismissed until 3 o’clock, when the company again met and marched out to the spot selected in a large and delightful grove near the village, where a dinner was prepared—and the profusion of good things, both liquids and solids, with which it was loaded, was characteristic of the known liberality of our esteemed host and fellow-citizen, and in a style worthy of the munificent donor, of which a large number of citizens partook.

After the removal of the cloth, Maj. Wm. W. Long presided, and Dr. Thomas Harris assisted as Vice-President, when the following toasts were drank:

REGULAR TOASTS.

1. The Day we celebrate–We hallow it as the day sacred to the rights of man.
2. The memory of Washington–While his principles are approved the Republic is safe.
3. The memory of Lafayette–A name sacred to every American citizen.
4. The surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Revolution–Expiring embers of the fire kindled at the altar of Liberty.
5. The Constitution–By its adoption a more perfect union was formed–justice established–domestic tranquility ensured–general welfare promoted and the blessing of liberty enjoyed by the framers and their posterity.
6. The President of the United States.
7. The Army and Navy–The former in valor and discipline is not surpassed by that of any other nation–the latter has secured our affections by its gallantry and the respect and fear of others by its conquests.
8. Agriculture, Commerce and Mechanism–A mutual support to each–The downfall of one would be destruction to all.
9. The Liberty of Opinion–The dearest right of a free people–May it ever be fearlessly expressed and disinterestedly maintained.

10. Education–As virtue is the very principle of Republics, may it never be forgotten that education is the mother of virtue.

11. The People of Mecklenburg–Unseduced by patronage–unsubdued by the proscription of power–They have always maintained and manifested the spirit and independence of American freemen.

12. Our own Country–In the times that tried men’s souls it occupied the front of the battle in the great contest for the restoration of the rights of the people, and may it never be found in the rear.

13. Our Wives, Children and Sweethearts–How unkind in us ever to forget them.

VOLUNTEER TOASTS.

• By Maj. W. W. Long–The Ladies of Mecklenburg–Equal in virtue, superior in beauty and the first to lend the fostering hand of charity. -3 cheers.
• By Dr. Thomas Harris–The Freedom of Elections–Principles and not men. [6 cheers.
• By Capt. J. J. Dunlap–The memory of our worthy friend and patriot–Lafayette. [Drank Standing.
• By Lieut. Saunier–The memory of Christopher Columbus. 3 cheers.
• By Lieut. J. T. Irwin–The Lafayette Artillery–Always ready to protect the citizens of Mecklenburg county. 4 cheers.
• By Col. John Sloan–May American virtue shine when every other light is out–May the Freedom of Elections be preserved–The trial by Jury maintained and the Liberty of Speech and the Press be secured to the latest posterity. 6 cheers.
• By Leroy Springs–The love of peace should ever be cherished so heavenly in its nature and most benign in its effects. 3 cheers.
• By S. C. Caldwell–To the supremacy of the laws–Union of all honest men to support them. 4 cheers.
• By Dr. Elam Caldwell–Our next Legislature–May it be composed of wise and patriotic Jackson men, equally zealous of our liberties and national concord. 6 cheers.
• By Dr. F. M. Ross–But may they have Wm. J. Alexander to steer the helm. 10 cheers.
• By Capt. T. A. Mera–Gen. Andrew Jackson, our present Chief Magistrate–The uncompromising patriot and friend to his country–May he long live in the affections of his countrymen. 4 cheers.
• By W. S. Symons–The Citizens of Mecklenburg county–The first to assert their Independence–they will ever be ready to maintain it. 6 cheers.
• By Dr. S. B. Watson–The Fair Sex–Heaven’s last best gift to man. He who refuses to accept of such a precious gift, merits the appellation of a self conceited mummy, a coward, or a miser. 4 cheers.
• By James McCombs–The enemies of the Administration–“Strike McDuff, and damn’d be he who first cries hold, enough.” 3 cheers.
• By Rich’d. Dinkins–The Citizens of Mecklenburg county–The first who declared independence–May they not be the last in resisting Executive usurpations. 4 cheers.
• By Thomas Houlton–May the Eagle of Liberty always keep the palmetto cockade in her claws. 6 cheers.
• By Leroy Springs–Andrew Jackson–May his proclamation and his veto on the bill rechartering the United States Bank finally and tetotaciously use him up in the estimation of the American people. 6 cheers.
• By Dr. Columbus Morrison–The memory of Thomas Jefferson–The chart of American Independence is his monument. 6 cheers.
• By Isaac Spencer–The rising generation–May they enjoy the privileges we now do. [3 cheers.

The company then adjourned, and we believe all enjoyed themselves with the social harmony that should characterise the celebration of a nation’s birth. The day closed as it should, without the expression of a discordant sentiment – but each retired, giving blessings to those precious souls who had been tried in the hour of danger.