Upon the platform were his Honor the Mayor, Alden Speare,

who presided on the occasion, together with the members of the different departments of the city, the chaplain, the orator and poet of the day, and distinguished citizens.

The exercises were commenced by musical selections of appropriate themes, including Washington's March, and other national airs, which were very finely and acceptably rendered upon the piano by Mr. W. S. Sargent, with the assistance of a cornet accompaniment.

A PROCLAMATION

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

The centennial anniversary of the day on which the people of the United States declared their right to a separate and equal station among the powers of the earth seems to demand an exceptional observance. The founders of the government, at its birth and in its feebleness, invoked the blessings and the protection of a Divine Providence; and the thirteen colonies and three millions of people have expanded into a nation of strength and numbers commanding the position which then was demanded, and for which fervent prayers were then offered.

It seems fitting, that, on the occurrence of the hundredth anniversary of our existence as a nation, a grateful acknowledgment should be made to Almighty God for the protection and the bounties which he has vouchsafed to our beloved country.

I therefore invite the good people of the United States, on the approaching Fourth day of July, in addition to the

usual observances with which they are accustomed to greet the return of the day, further, in such manner and at such time as in their respective localities and religious associa tions may be most convenient, to mark its recurrence by some public religious and devout thanksgiving to Almighty God for the blessings which have been bestowed upon us as a nation during the century of our existence, and humbly to invoke a continuance of his favor and of his protection.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington this twenty-sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six, and of the Independence of United States of America, the one hundredth.

By the President:

HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State.

U. S. GRANT.

After reading of the proclamation of the President, Alderman Gilman, in introducing the Rev. Mr. Samson, said, —

As in most of our city churches, last Sunday, public religious services were held, at which devout thanksgiving and fervent prayer marked the occurrence of this centennial celebration, we now here assemble so far as practicable, in accordance with the President's proclamation, and would offer humble thanks to Almighty God for mercies received, earnest prayer for blessings and favors we hope yet to come, and that in righteousness our people and nation may be exalted.

Prayer was offered by Rev. Thomas S. Samson, of the Baptist Church, Ward One, after which the audience arose, and joined in singing the following hymn:

"God ever glorious! Sovereign of nations!

Waving the banner of peace o'er our land,
Thine is the victory, thine the salvation :
Strong to deliver, own we thy hand.

Still may thy blessing rest, Father most holy,
Over each mountain, rock, river, and shore!
Sing hallelujah! Shout in hosannas!

God keep our country free evermore ! "

The mayor called on EDWARD W. CATE, Esq., a graduate of Newton High School, who read the Declaration of Independence, from the old town records, as entered thereon one hundred years ago by Abraham Fuller, Town Clerk, "by order of the Council." Miss CORA G. PLIMPTON then sang "The Battle-Cry of Freedom," the audience joining in the chorus:

"The Union forever! hurrah, boys, hurrah!

Down with the traitor, up with the star,

While we rally round the flag, boys, rally once again,

Shouting the battle-cry of freedom."

After the singing, the mayor made the following introductory address:

FELLOW-CITIZENS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,- We have assembled on this the Fourth of July, 1876, to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, by which we, no longer colonies, were made independent of Great Britain, henceforth and for

ever the United States of America. This is a day that John Adams, writing to his wife the 5th of July, 1776, declared to be one that "ought to be commemorated as a. day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward for evermore." We rejoice that the same patriotic impulse which prompted this declaration. still finds a welcome home in the hearts of the citizens of Newton; and that the day was ushered in with bonfires on our hilltops, that the tongue of every bell from every steeple in our city has proclaimed "peace and liberty to the land and the inhabitants thereof;" and still more, that, as these sounds have fallen on our ears, the hearts of our citizens have beaten responsively to the call, as is evidenced in the stars and stripes floating from so many house-tops in the city, and by this crowded audience present to listen to the recital of the deeds and sufferings which have made it our high privilege to celebrate this day with all that it crowds upon us, in the rich memories of the past, and promises of the future.

While it has been not inappropriately said that “ Virginia in Patrick Henry furnished the tongue, and in Thomas Jefferson the pen, of the Revolution," Jefferson wrote that "Massachusetts in John Adams furnished the Colossus, in Samuel Adams the Palinurus, of the Revolution."

And we are reminded that this day is the anniversary of

another event, — the death of both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, fifty years ago, just at the half-way milestone between the Declaration of Independence (which was written by the former, and carried through the Continental Congress by the powerful arguments and eloquence of the latter), and its one hundredth anniversary. Jefferson, when told that it was Independence Day, and that he was dying, replied, "As I had wished." Adams, as the sound of the bell, pealing out the glad sound of liberty, struck his already fast-failing senses, asks, "What is it?" His companion replies, "It is Independence Day." His patriotic soul warm even in death with grand emotions. of liberty, he exclaimed, " INDEPENDENCE FOREVER!" Thus with the halo of liberty on their brows, they took their departure from their labors here to their fruition in the hereafter.

May these memories, and the memories of the sons of Newton, incite us, on whom devolve the duties of the hour, to that conscientious discharge of all the responsibilities of citizenship which shall bring us upon that higher level where we shall appreciate fully its demands upon us, not only for honesty, but vigilance, in performing our part in the city, commonwealth, and nation, in order that we may ever be a people worthy of such a land, and of the liberty founded by the fortunes, devotion, deprivations, and lives of those of a hundred years ago, -founded so well on the eternal principles of industry, virtue, and piety, that the fabric stands to-day, having effectually resisted all encroachments from foes abroad and rebellion at home.