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In 1858, to honor the national anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Marietta, held not one, but two complementary celebrations. The July 6 edition of the Marietta Intelligencer reported a detailed story of one event hosted by the "Americans" and the other organized by German residents. By mid-century, German immigrants were increasingly settling in Washington County, bringing Old World customs, language, and traditions.
On Saturday, July 2, the "Americans" initiated the celebration with the salute of thirty-two guns, (for each of the 32 stars on flag), bells sounded, and the Becker Band (German) paraded through the town. At 1:30, townspeople gathered at the National House hotel at Second and Greene Streets for a public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
With great expectation, the National House hosted an esteemed group of ladies and gentlemen with a formal mid-day dinner. According to the newspaper, "nothing was heard but the clatter of knives and forks, the jingling of glasses, the rushing to and fro of waiters, and the subdued hum of conversation, broken now and then by an outburst at some stroke of wit or funny anecdote, and by the sudden and still louder pop of the Champaign bottle." After dinner, glasses were lifted with the reading of thirteen "regular" or traditional toasts including the Declaration of Independence, the US President (For this, the audience drank in silence. Perhaps, the pre-Civil War president was not well liked!), George Washington, the Flag of the United States, the American Union, the State of Ohio, the Judiciary, Agriculture, Manufactures and Commerce, the Women of America, and many more including eighteen volunteer toasts of personal choice.
With such a long list of toasts and the clinking of glasses, the newspaper stated, "there was a great deal of fun and merriment -- many sallies of wit and humorous speeches which convulsed the whole assemblage with laughter."
On Monday, July 4, the German community hosted a patriotic, celebratory day full of socialization, music, and fun. Starting at the courthouse the Grand Marshal led the parade which proudly waved the United States flag, followed by the orator of the day in buggy, thirteen young ladies dressed in white, supporting a portrait of Washington, Becker's Band and Schlicher Band marched with music, the Glee Club sang, with citizens joining in the parade, The procession progressed through many streets ending near Sixth and Warren streets into Judge Nye's grove where festivities would take place.
"A stage had been erected here for the speakers and bands of music, and seats for the accommodation of the audience. The number present was very large and comprised a great many women and children. Entire families were there, babies and all." After several speeches were given, the audience was free to socialize and take refreshments as was furnished by the families. The afternoon included a grand contest of target shooting with twenty-seven participants. It was reported, "Lager beer flowed in generous profusion, but to the great credit of the Germans, be it said, there was no drunkenness or quarrelling among them. The only cases of intoxication we heard of, were, we are ashamed to acknowledge, among Americans; and the liquor to intoxicate them was obtained outside the grove."
By the 1890s, the German community became significant in the economic growth and civic leadership of Marietta. Whatever reservations some "Americans" had about this large immigrant group, it appeared resolved for the good of the community.
Jann K. Adams is a WCHS member. To learn more about the Washington County Historical Society services and membership call 740-373-1788 or visit wchshistory.org.