Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1871 — The Fourth of July. [ARTICLE]

The Fourth of July.

What is the use of celebrating the Fourth of July; this year? There is no iuonsy to bo made out of it except by sodA water and ice cream men, merchants and tho hotel keepers, and they wont pay tho expenses. Who caros for tho memory of G* Washington, T. Jefferson, J. Adams, B. Franklin, J. Hancock mid all that firm of old blokes who Instituted the Fourth of July, unless Unoney can be made out of it? What is patriotism anyway, but a cheat, a swindle, or the star spangled banner, but a flaunting lie for man’s illusiou given, miles* dollars and cents can be made out of thfcm? The present generation didn’t ask those old coves of 17JO to fight, bleed and die for Independence; they did it gratuitously, and who pays or thanks for gratuitous favors? The Valparaiso Messenger, a newspaper of strictly orthodox sentiments and advocating the principles of one of the two leading political parties of the country says that “the Fourth of July is about played out;” and admit it true, where is the propriety of getting together and reading the Declaration of Independence, and the constitution of the United States, and singing My Country, ’Tis of Theo. The Star Spangled Banner, Hail Columbia, The Red White and Blue, or piping Yankee Doodle? Hasn't the Declaration and Constitution been ripped and torn and patched and pieced until it is difficult to decide -what they were originally? Haven’t those grand old National hymns been superceded in every music book and on every phuio and organ in the land by those chaste and truly simple melodics, Captain Jinks of the Hoss Marines, Champaign Charley, Put Me in-My Little Bed, How is That for High and Shoo Fly? What has become of the new railroad we have been icxpecting to sec arrive from New York every day for a year or more? Guess it must be down sick with the relapsing fever at some point on the route. — Francesville Local Topic. Don’t be discouraged, Doctor, you have been looking in the wrong direction, it is from the West traveling toward the Fast. Work lute been actually commenced at this place and the leveling, grading and filling is now rapidly progressing toward your beautiful town. This is an immense enterprise and it will require some time to complete it. The local aid and right of way hofl not yet been secured through the State and if the care arc running across Indiana within two years, or to New York City within five yean a wonderful feat of industry will have been performed. Let the friends of the project keep a stiff upper lip—don’t become disheartened —but steadily persevere without faltering and this mighty undertaking will surely be completed in season for us to enjoy its advan- - tages. - - ■

TLc Local Topic is the name of a new paper started at Francesville, Pulaski County, by J. G. Winegarden. It is a handsome sheet of modest dimentions, well edited, of beautiful typographic appearance, and published weekly (we presume) at one dollar per year. It is neutral in politics and-, devoted exclusively to the interests of the town and vicinity in which it is published. It is an evidence of the enterprising spirit of its projector and should receive a liberal support from those whose interests it is calculated to advance. We cordially welcome its debut into newspaper society and gladly add its name to our exchange list. Sonic of our exchanges say that Muscovy ducks gobble up all of the Colorado potato bugs they can find, and that a pair of these entomologists will clear a two acre patch in a single day. This -would prove cheaper than Paris green, (if the fowls are butchered as soon as the bug season is over), less laborious than picking them by hand and far more satisfactory than hiring a cheap boy. It is reported that the Colorado beetle, so destructive to the potato crop is migrating eastward. It is said that countless numbers are crossing the Detroit river into Canada. They throng on every floating chip, straw and weed; they fill the air in clouds and thickly strew the waters for miles as they attempt to cross over into the Dominion. • Vice President Colfax reached his home at South Bend last Friday. He is still quite weak but hopes are entertained that with rest and a complete withdrawal from public diitics.he will soon recover.

An election was held in Beaver] township, Newton county, last Saturday, upon the proposition to vote a township tax of $2,700 in ■uid of the New York Western Railway Company which resulted 74 “for tho railroad appropriation” to 12 against it. Ju Jackson township, oi that oeunty, the polls were not opened, but the people pledged themselves to subscribe a sum at least oqual to tho amount of tax asked for. Professor Cox, State Geologist, has discovered that a decoction of quassia leaves is a never failing poison to the young potato bngs when sprinkled on the vines they arc ravaging. It docs not have any effect on the full grown beetles —they must be destroyed by crushing or with Paris green. Cut worms and Colorado bugs are making such depredations on the potato patches in ,St. Joseph county that the farmers are turning their attention largely to the planting of sweet potatoes. Quite five times the usual quantity of plants have been set out this season! The Rensselaer Union thinks Mack of the Plymouth Democrat unsophisticated. The Union boys would think different in case they once saw Mack’s fists and how well he is hung.— Knot Ledger. We don’t want to see Mack well hung, though he is a Democrat and may deserve to be.

Ed. Epidin, formerly a sick-call-er in the 9th Regt. Ind. Vols. tooted his horn at the Chicago Peace Jubilee. Ed. probably “discoursed” as sweet music as any Dutchman in the crowd. ~ In imitation of Milligan, Jeff Davis will probably commence an action for damages because of his unconstitutional and illegal arrest ami detention by the satraps of the radicftljgoyernment. Temperance and whiskey wrestle for the ascendancy in Kentland this week and the chanccfi are that whiskey will get flopped higher than a kite. It costs eighteen dollars to bathe in a public place at Monticello, but then a few baths of that character would make the Monticelloites very elean —of stamps. The sedate inhabitants of South Bend don’t care much for harmless diversions. Only fifty croquet sets have been sold this season. A flowing well of laudanum trM found in South Bend last weei on the premises of John Beoraft, Bsven-year locusts are haSciuug by myriads in Laporte and Porter counties. Potato bug i*oison —sure thtng— at Emmet Kannal's drug store. £®“Dr. Kelley takes all kinds of farm produce for Photographs. Candies, raisins, nuts, oranges, lemons, &c., at the post office. Fine lemons for pies, at the post office. We want to buy wool and will pay the highest prices for it. J. I. PUBCUPILB & CO. Largest oranges in town, at the post office. _ Don’t let the buns take the potatoes but go to Emmet Kannal's drug store ami buy an article warranted to kill, them and no fail. First rate cheap cigars at the post office. # You can find a cheap Boot, Shoe, Gaiter or Slipper at Ludd Hopkins’s. For best quality of smoking tobacco call at the post office. Young Buck, before you go to see your Doe buy a pair of J. I. Purcupile & Co.’s $2 Plow Shoes and dress those hoofs of yours decently. ■o •• • New spring styles of hats and caps, for men and boys, at Ludd Hopkins’. Cigars, smoking tobacco, and fine cut at the post office. The best and cheapest fine Shirts and men’s Hose are at Frank Purcupile’s. Go. and see them. Everybody in Jasper county are hereby notified that they can obtain pure drugs and medicines at Emmet Kannal’s drug store in Rensselaer very cheap. Where is the use of limping about with your toes jabbed full of stubble when best quality Plow Shoes hre sold for $2 at.J. I. Purcupile & Co.’s? People who use good tobacco will find an article of merit at the post office. 1 ‘ x Tea Sets, Covered Dishes, Bakers, Steak Platters, Pitchers, Bowls, Pickle Dishes, etc., cheap, at Ludd Hopkin/sGo’to the post office.for plug or fine cut chewing tobacco, pipes or smoking tobacco.

New iii the Boot and Shoe line, to be sold at lowest figures, In particular a class of Fine Boots among which if a man finds a fit ami pays mos 7 he will get a warranted boot.

LUDD HOPKINS'S