The Alleghanian

CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTH.-The morning of the 84th anniversary of American Independence was ushered into existence by a drizzly, mizzly rain, accompanied by a rather extensive ringing of bells and exploding of gunpowder. The weather did not bode very fairly, but about 10 o'clock, however, the clouds dispersed, and the sun breaking through the vapor which surrounded it, dispelled all doubts on the subject, and with its warm and cheering rays infused new life into everybody and everything. Soon the country folks began to pour in, and by noon a larger crowd thronged our streets than has been seen in them for many a day.

The first regular demonstration of the day was the Sunday Schools' celebration. According to preconcerted arrangement, at 10 A. M., the various Sabbath Schools met at the Welch Independent Church, where instructive addresses were delivered to the scholars by Revs. Williams, Harrison, Powell, Shane and Lloyd. It was the intention of the schools to have marched in procession through town, but owing to the dampness of the weather, that portion of the exercises had to be foregone. After the addresses, the several schools returned to their respective churches, where bountifully gotten-up repasts were in waiting for them. All unite in saying that the occasion was one of interest and pleasure to all concerned.

At about 1 P. M., the grand procession of the Sons and Daughters of Temperance came off. The members of this body, to the number of about two hundred and twenty-five, dressed in full regalia, paraded through the principal streets, and from thence proceeded to Lloyd's Grove, a short distance below town, where their recherche intellectual bill of fare was filled out. After the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Mr. Lemuel Davis, eloquent and patriotic addresses were delivered by Messrs. Henry Ely, William Tibbott and J. C. Singer. A brief and fervent prayer was then offered up by Rev. Ll. Powell, and some choice vocal music was executed by the brothers and sisters. When the procession returned to town, well pleased with the entire proceedings.

The festivities of the day were greatly heightened by the eloquent music discoursed at short intervals by the Ebensburg Martial Band.

Young America-that is to say, that portion of Young America who could command packs of fire-crackers and toby cigars to light them with-exerted themselves in efforts to keep up a continual fizz, pop, banging :-in which they succeeded so admirably as to make the atmosphere so redolent of burnt saltpetre as to savour strongly of the perfume emitted from a newly-discharged gun.

In the evening, several very fine private displays of fireworks also came off.

A general subject of remark was the scarcity of intoxicated persons. We did not see a single "drunk" man, and but very few who were even "slightly elevated," during the entire day. Curious, but true.

Thus came and went in our ancient village the anniversary of our national birthday-the day which is dearer to the heart of the patriot than any other,--everything passing off happily and pleasantly, and not a circumstance occurring to mar the pleasure or check the festivities of the occasion.

Hurrah for the glorious Fourth!