Home News, August 20, 1859
A correspondent of the Columbus Gazette, in searching among the old records in the Secretary of State's office, had his attention called to the following account of a Fourth of July celebration in Marietta in 1798. It was found in manuscript on the fly leaf of a surveyor's field note book, and no doubt the readers of the Home News will be interested in its perusal and preservation:
The day was ushered in by the discharge of cannon in three principal divisions of the town. At ten o'clock, Capt. Buell's company of Volunteer Cavalry paraded on the common near Campus Martius, uniform and martial (appearance) with the various movements performed in the course of the day, yielded honor to themselves and those who composed it, gave great pleasure to the spectators. Except Capt. Buell's company, who dined at Brough's tavern, the principal gentlemen of the town dined under a bowery erected for the purpose, on the banks of Muskingum river, and after dinner the following toasts were drank, under the discharge of cannon:1. The day we celebrate.2. United States - May her arms be successful against the enemies of her Independence, and her justice terrible to the agents of foreign influence and intrigue.3. The Congress - Wisdom and unanimity in their Councils, firmness and decision in their measures.4. The Hero and Father of his country, George Washington, President of the Society of Cincinnati. May his fellow citizens imitate his virtues and pursue and precepts left them in his last legacy.5. The Citizens of the United States - May all Jacobins be made to know that the people of America cannot be separated from their government.6. The Army of the United States - May they remember they are citizens in arms, employed for the defence of their country and the support of the rights of freemen, and not for the purpose of keeping the slaves of tyrants in subjection.7. The Navy of the United States - May it be successful against the piratical cruisers of the Ocean, and soon become a scourge to all who shall dare insult our lawful Commerce.8. The men who had the sagacity to suspect, the wisdom to detect and the courage to oppose French politics and intrigue.9. Our late Envoys Extraordinary to the Republic of France.10. Success to the Agriculture, Manufactures and Commerce of America.11. The Territory in which we live. May we soon add another star to the American Constellation.12. The Marquis La Fayette - The Hero and magnanimous sufferer in the cause of liberty. May his sufferings be held in grateful remembrance by every true American.13. Governor St. Clair.14. The American Fair - May they never give their hearts nor their hands to any but the friends of their country.15. May the happy period soon arrive when the joyful song shall resound from pole to pole, "peace on earth and good will to men."16. May those virtuous patriots by whose arduous struggles our National independence was achieved, never want successors, who at every hazard will defend our national honor and interest against the open attempts, or secret intrigues of foreign enemies or domestic conspirators.And not only in Marietta, but in all the towns in its vicinity, the day was celebrated by every class of citizens, with festivity and joy, expressive of their attachment to the government of the United States, and their firm resolution to give their aid in the support of the Independence of their country. In truth it is not known that there now is, or ever has been, a Jacobin inhabitancy within the circle of the Ohio Company's settlement.
The Gazette correspondent adds, Capt. Buell named was Capt. Timothy Buell, not Gen. Joseph Buell of a later date.
The allusion in the second toast, to wit, of foreign influence and intrigue, evidences how fearful and jealous were our forefathers of the intrigues of European Courts, which were so prevalent in those days.
And the reference to Jacobians in the fifth toast, will be understood when the young reader calls to mind that at that time, the Infidels and Jacobins were making sad havoc in France, and it was found by "the fathers," that some of our own statesmen of that day were impregnated with what were called "French Ideas."
It will be seen by the tenor of the sixth sentiment that the people had not yet acquired a perfect confidence in the integrity of a standing army, hence the warning given.
The eighth toast again alludes to "French Politics," all of which shows that the patriots of those times were ever on the watch for the enemy, let him be in whatever guise he might.
The Ministers to France from the United States were James Monroe, 1794; Francis Dana and Charles C. Pinckney, 1797.
The wish expressed in the eleventh toast was realized five years subsequently, as we all know, and a glorious star has she become in a short half century.
The fourteenth sentiment would be well to repeat every 4th of July at least.
The fifteenth, hope for blessing upon the earth, has not been fully realized as yet!
