1035
Cleveland Morning Leader, 5 July 1864
(79 inches)
~ See original
p.3, col.1,2,3,4
~ View at ChronAm
1035 - H July 5:3/1-4 - The Fourth of July, 1864, will be remembered in
Cleveland as being one of the most noteworthy celebrations of the
national birthday ever held within its limits. The streets were crowded
with people. The stores, with but one or two exceptions, were rigidly
closed. The procession formed early in the morning. It was composed
of the city police, the Hecker band, and the various U. S. army di-
visions. It moved through the Square, where it broke up, to be followed
by a dinner in honor of the veterans. As soon as dinner was over, the
exercises opened. George Wiley gave an able oration on the differences
between the North and the South. He defended the Northern people's
stand against slavery, and urged continuance of the war until it is
wiped out. "It is in fact a war between a higher and lower grade of
civilization.... All the great interests of civilization are pledged
to the final triumph of the soldiers of this Republic," he said. The
oration was received with frequent bursts of applause. At its conclu-
sion, Colonel Sawyer of the 8th Ohio rose and thanked the orator.
Mayor Senter presided over the proceedings and introduced the speak-
ers. Letters from the governor of Ohio and Major General Heintzelman,
apologizing for not being able to attend, were received. (79)
Index terms:
Hecker's band; Heintzelman, Major General; North; Sawyer, Colonel Frank; Senter, George B. (mayor); South; U. S. army; Wiley, George