1876: The Coming Centennial 4th of July

The Coming Centennial 4th of July (1876)
Source: Pacific Commercial Advertiser. Honolulu: June 24, 1876.

Honolulu is up and doing in the matter of celebrating the coming anniversary of American Independence. A public meeting was held on the evening go the 17th, of which Dr. J. Scott, U.S. Consul, was Chairman and H.L. Sheldon Secretary, when a Committee on Finance, consisting of Messrs. J.H. Paty, P.C. Jones, Jr., and A.J. Cartwright, and a General Committee of Arrangements of thirteen were appointed. A Committee of ladies was selected by the meeting and invited to participate in the celebration by a "Martha Washington Tea Party," in the evening of the 3rd, in costume of "ye olden time," which committee consists of Mrs. Consul Scott, Mrs. J.S. McGrew, Mrs. J. Mott Smith, Mrs. H.M. Whitney, Mrs. S.B. Dole, Mrs. P.C. Jones, Jr., Mrs. W.F. Allen, and Mrs. S.M. Damon. His Ex. H.A. Peirce, American Minister Resident, was invited to act as President of the day, and President Pratt, of Oahu College, to read the Declaration of Independence.

At the adjourned meeting, held on Thursday evening last, the Committee of Arrangements, through their Chairman, Mr. E.P. Adams, reported that they had divided into the following sub-committees:

Celebration at Kawaiahao- Messrs. H.A.P. Carter, M. Louisson, W.W. Hall.
Salutes and Fireworks- W.F. Allen, E.P. Adams, J.W. Maguire.
Music- W.W. Hall, A. Pratt.
Picnic (head of Emma Street)- R.W. Laine, A.W. Carter, P.C. Jones, Jr., T. Foster, G. West.
Dancing- J.H. Paty, A.W. Carter.
Invitation- E.P. Adams, H.A.P. Carter, W.F. Allen, H.M. Whitney.

Mr. J.H. Paty, on behalf of the Finance Committee, reported that the subscriptions for the celebration amounted to some $2,250, and that the paper would be open for signers until the "day we celebrate." The chairman stated on behalf of the Committee of ladies that they had engaged the large dining room of the Hawaiian Hotel for the "Tea Party," and that they extended a general invitation for all to attend. Special invitations would be sent to their Majesties the King and Queen, the Royal Family and the Queen Dowager Emma. Everybody, it is expected, will appear at the tea-party in old-time costume, as far as practicable. The programme of proceedings on the Fourth has not yet been perfected, but will be published at an early day. We learn, however, that it is proposed to have a salute of thirteen guns at six a.m.; the parade of the "antiques and horribles;" services at Kawaiahao Church; picnic in the afternoon at the Royal School grounds, head of Emma Street, with dancing, sack and foot races, greased pole and greased pig, and a table spread for 1500 persons; another salute at sun-down; and fire-works and a bonfire in the evening.

The meeting of Thursday evening was a most enthusiastic and harmonious one, and was enliven by an eloquent and patriotic speech from the Chairman, Consul Scott, and  singing of national and patriotic songs by the whole company, led by an excellent choir.