Items from the Centre Democrat, 1835
(transcription copied from a copy held by the Centre County Genealogical Society, Bellfonte, PA)
Saturday July 25, 1835
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION AT JACKSONVILLE
Pursuant to notice – A large and highly respectable assemblage of the inhabitants of Walker, and several of the adjacent townships, met at Jacksonville, on Saturday the 27th of June for the purpose of erecting a “Liberty Pole” in order to display the “Flag of our Country” on the Fourth of July 1835, as did our forefathers on that eventful day 1776 – and for the further purpose of making such arrangements as would most conduce to a social celeberation of the 59th anniversary of our National Independence. On Motion, a retiring committee of seven, viz: John Emerick, Jospeh Garberich, John Irvin, John Warger, Henry Hoy, Sr., John Hoy , and Jonothan Spangler were appointed to draft a preamble and resolution in accordance with the objects of the meeting, which committee after due consideration presented the following preamble and resolves which were unanimously adopted: --
Whereas the annual return of the 4th day of July is hailed with heartfelt pleasure, by every good Citizen of the United States of America, as the great “Jubilee of our Republic”: and as the day upon which all parties should lay aside all political differences and dissentions, and unite in its celeberation; and WHEREAS, it was the custom of our forefathers to usher in that day with the display of the “Star spangled Banner,” with the firing of cannon, and with maritial music – and to continue throughout the day, to manifest their rejoicing as “Free and Independent” men; and WHEREAS, a few person in this neighborhood and its vicinity have permitted themselves to be formed into a society for the purpose as they “avow” for suppressing in temperance, vice and immorality, (though the reality, as is apparent to reasonable and careful observers, for the special purpose of combining “Church and State” – if possible, by using all their influence to place Clerical men into public office) and WHEREAS, some of those few have condemned in the most unmeasured terms, the manner in which it has been usual to celebrate the 4th of July – and loudly deprecate the circulation of the “Social Class” on that day as a measure decidedly an intemperate: and WHEREAS, we consider a moderate use of any agreeable drink or beverage upon convivial or joyful occasions, (on the 4th of July particularly) far more correct than the intolerant opinions, and intemperate expressions of the few, who have denounced ALL as devoid of merality, who do not concide: and WHEREAS we are “free and independent” men; and so far as it is consistent with the constitution of our country determined to preserve our rights and privileges, and not submit, either to “Blue Laws,” to “Gag Laws,” or to the dictations of any combinations of men, whose measures are aristocratical or compulsatory. Therefore, Resolved, That although we are far from being opposed to the cause of “Temperence,” or to the formation of societies for the prevention of “Intemperance” – yet in our reviewing the late conduct and recalling to mind the late expressions of the major part of the “lick Run Temperance Society,” who advocated the arbitrary sentiments so publicly expressed, a short time since by one of its leaders – we are led to believe that their proceedings are at variance with the Constitutional laws of our Country.
Resolved, That as FREEMAN – tools to no secret combination or private party, untrammeled and unfettered, we not only execerate the acts of such men; but in d espite of all they may say or do to the contrary, shall celebrate the ensuing 4th of July as did our forefathers.
Resolved, That the “stars and stripes” be hoisted on the “liberty pole” just erected, on the 4th at day break, and a national salute fired immediately thereafter; and that William Yarger, Jonothan Spangler, Henry Orndorf and James Irvin attend to the same.
Resolved, That William Carner, Esq., be appointed president of the day, and that Frederick Shank, John Askay, Jacob Snyder, John Emerick, Joseph Garberich, Henry Hoy, Sr., and John Yarger be appointed vice-presidents; and that E.L. Walker, John Geary, E. Shults and George Hoy, be appointed secretaries, and that all be requested to assemble on the 4th.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be made public and an invitation be extended to all persons disposed to join us in celebrating the day.
Resolved, That we ajourn until Saturday the 4th of July next.
In compliance with the foregoing resolutions, the National Colours were hoisted on the Liberty Pole in Jacksonville, at day break on the 4th and a salute of 13 guns fired immediately afterwards. A public invitation having been given, a more numberous assemblage of persons took place there about noon, then was ever before witnessed in the place. At 2:00 P.M. 13 guns were fired, the proceedings of the 27th of June, and the “Declaration of Independence” were read. A few patriotic remarks in allusion to the day, and the importance of celebrating it upon fair and liberal principles, were expressed – three cheers were given, three guns were fired in quick succession, and upwards of a hundred men opposed to “intolerance” sat down to an excellent dinner prepared by Mr. Joseph Yarger.
After the cloth was removed, the following toasts were read by the President.
REGULAR TOASTS
1st The day we celebrate.
1 Gun 3 Cheers.
2d The heroes of ’76.
1 Gun 3 Cheers.
3d The Framers of the Declaration of Independence.
1 Gun 3 Cheers.
4th The Signers of the Declaration of Independence.
1 Gun 3 Cheers.
5th July 4th, 1776. The day that gave birth to the Independence to the United States of America
1 Gun 6 Cheers.
6th The memory of General George Washington.
1 Gun.
7th The memory of General Lafayette.
1 Gun.
8th The departed heroes and sages of the American Revolution.
1 Gun.
9th The President of the United States of America.
1 Gun 9 Cheers.
10th The memory of General Montgomery.
1 Gun.
11th The State of Pennsylvania.
1 Gun 6 Cheers.
12th “Free Toleration.”
1 Gun 3 Cheers.
13th Our Fair Country-women.
1 Gun 6 Cheers.
VOLUNTEER TOASTS
By Wm. Carner, Esq. May the people of the United States ever guard against “Political Priest-craft.”
By Wm. Johns. Washington, first – Jackson next – through their means we still remain “Free and equal.”
By A.M.K. Groves. The Dutch nation, the Irish nation, the Yankee nation, the whole nation, “Free Toleration,” and Wolf-ation
By Christian Clevenstein. January 8th 1815; the day that General Andrew Jackson saved New Orleans from the British Invaders.
By Edward Schultze. John Snyder of Nittany, our guest; he asked no pension. May the services he rendered in the Revolution be remembered by us all.
By Wm. Yarger. Pennsylvania; she has attained a high rank among her sister states, as well for her political integrity, as for her public enterprise.
By Jacob Candy. Those Israelites, who profess no guile – those men who profess Temperance – those consistent men tho condemn us, yet celebrate with us in celebrating this day.
By Samuel M’Kee. The day we celebrate. ‘Tis not for the purpose of connecting “Temperance” and “Intemperance;” but to show the world that all men are born “Free and equal.”
By James Irvin. Pennsylvania, and her improvements – she’ll not want funds to complete them, while she has a Wolf at her head.
By Jacob Snyder. Temperance, but no “Intolerance.”
By Jacob Miller. May we never forget the first celebration of the anti-intolerance society in Nittany.
By Joseph Taylor. Our fair Country Girls – gems, gems.
By Samuel Oyer. Governor Wolf – a true Democrat.
By Jacob Bartholomew. The Volunteers of Centre Co.
By John Oyer. George Wolf; our present Governor; Doing well – the next can do no better.
By John Snyder. Our Country – may time cease, when it shall no longer be as free as it is now.
By John Emerick. No “Gag laws” no Blue laws,” and “Free toleration.”
By Washington Tipton. Our number this day, proclaims our triumph over certain political tools, to Clerical intriguers.
By Jonothan Spangler. The “Star spangled Banner.”
By E.L. Walker. An eternal sleep to “political Priest-craft.”
By John Irvin. “Temperance and Toleration” – they characterize our proceedings this day; in the proceedings of our fathers upon the 4th of July, annually since 1776.
By the company. Our Host, and Hostess.
Many very excellent toasts were given verbally; and many written ones that were handed in, being rather lengthly are not given here for want of time to copy them. At sun-down a salute of 13 guns were fired, the “colours” and banners hauled down, and the company retired to their homes well pleased with the proceedings of the day.