Published: July 07, 2009 01:33 pm      

Pete Kendall: Cleburnites continue to celebrate Fourth as before

Patriotic Americans that we are, we celebrate Independence Day on July 4 because that is when, 233 years ago, the Continental Congress adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.

Persistent Americans that we are, we continue the celebration for several days or weeks (depending on how long the beer holds out) in the 21st century.

Locally, we celebrate Independence Day much as we did a couple of centuries ago ... by ringing bells, setting off Roman candles, getting tickets for disorderly conduct, cooking barbecue, going to the car races at Yello Belly Drag Strip in Grand Prairie and watching the Cubs on WGN-TV.

That’s as it should be. July 4 will forever be worthy of festivities.

In the words of John Adams, second President of the United States and among the signers of the Declaration of Independence, “I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival ... it ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other ... ”

But what about Cleburne and Texas and their independence from Mexico, the Indians, the Stephenville Yellowjackets and the gosh darn Yankees?

How do we celebrate when times call for solemnity?

With platitudes, for one thing.

The following story appeared in the Times-Review’s “Eighty Years of Progress” edition Aug. 29, 1934:

“Declaring that the South had as much right to observe the Fourth of July as the North and also stating that the South had never departed from the Constitution, even though in secession the principals were not abandoned, was the substance of an address given here on July 4, 1876, by William Poindexter, when the citizens of Johnson County assembled in Cleburne to celebrate the centennial year.

“The day was bright and pleasant with light showers falling at intervals and there were no processions, displays or fireworks, no enthusiasm outbursts, but there was a strong sentiment pervading the community which seemed to be in favor of an appropriate but undemonstrative observation of the day. The memorial exercises consisted of addresses by some of the leading citizens.

“Judge Barclay acted as master of ceremonies and made a short talk on the spirit of the occasion. He introduced William Poindexter, who ended his excellent talk by saying:

“‘We have much cause to rejoice. We are in fact the freest people under the sun, the only nation where people are sovereigns. We may have been wrong in the past, but for the future, let us all stand united under the same laws. Our prospect for the future is glorious, and Texas has all to gain.

“‘We have been oppressed, but that was our misfortune. The day of oppression is ended, and to our State is opened the widest career of prosperity and greatness under the new order of things.’

“Col. Anzi Bradshaw, the next speaker, in an excellent address, stated that Texas could point to her many battlefields to show her work of liberty and that the heroism entitled her to a home in the union and her constancy and loyalty to the principles of 1776 made it her privilege and her glory to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of American Independence.

“S.C. Paddelford and William Ramsey were also speakers upon this occasion, and the exercises were closed by Judge Prendergast, and the celebration was concluded by the firing of a salute of one hundred anvils to the parting day.

“About 600 assembled at the Lone Prairie school house to celebrate the centennial. The Lone Prairie Grange appeared in their regalia, accounts of the affair state, and they marched into the arbor and seated themselves around the speaker’s stand.

“Rev. Mr. Gaskins read the Declaration of Independence, after which he gave a brief history of the original grange movement, and he alluded to the large profit made on farming implements and machinery, etc., under the present system. Dr. Andrew Young made a brief talk on the celebration of the occasion, and following his talk a dinner was served.

“According to The (Cleburne) Chronicle, July Fourth, 1877, was ushered in at midnight by anvil firing, disturbing the peace of the slumbering public, then breakfast, a hot day, murder trial at the courthouse, debate on infant baptism at the college, supper, etc.”

Cleburnites kept their sense of humor during Reconstruction, we’re glad to see.

In its dedication to the “Eighty Years of Progress Edition,” the Times-Review crowed:

“No greater tribute can be paid to the forefathers of Johnson County than to say that they built a great country on faith, courage and work.

“The stretch of wilderness that met their gaze when they came here was nothing outwardly inspiring to them. It represented effort and hardships before they could carve from the trackless prairie and forests a civilized country to leave as a heritage to their children.

“Did they pass on to greener fields? Did they permit the magnitude of the task ahead to awe them?

“The Johnson County of today stands as the living monument to their courage, as evidence that they knew not the meaning of the word “falter.”

“Today, the Times-Review, in its humble way, has published a tribute to those pioneers who made the odds even with their energy and their faith.

“The Times-Review hopes this edition will be treasured, that it will be responsible for a pause in the busy whirl of life as Johnson County’s people of today honor the men and women of yesteryear.

“May this publication bring closer to the hearts of the citizenship the realization that a country built on a foundation of courage, love of God and faith is the one that progresses and lives.

“May we bring to you the glamour of pioneerdom that knows no obstacles.

“May we give to you a sacred memory of what your forefathers did to create an empire of health, wealth and happiness.

“The Times-Review pauses today in silent tribute to the pioneers. May their spirit live forever in the annals of Johnson County!”

Before, during and after football season.