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Public Celebrations
Public celebrations may be made by some public society, or by the citizens at large. If by the latter, a meeting is generally called, subject to the customary rules, and a committee of arrangements appointed, who take charge of the business. A society appoints a like committee.
The committee of arrangements meet, and appoint a chairman and secretary. As soon as this is done, the mode of celebration is determined upon. In the case of the Fourth of July, some fit person is generally invited to deliver an oration, and another to read the Declaration of Independence. A sub-committee is appointed to secure a proper room, unless the celebration takes place in the open air, when the committee has in charge the erection of a stand.
The proper sub-committees are : 1. On correspondence. The duty of this committee is to invite such distinguished guests as are desirable. 2. On orator. This committee invites the orator selected. 3. On place. This committee attends to hiring a room and fitting it up, or, if it be an out-of-door celebration, see to the erection of a stand for the officers and speaker, and seats for the auditors. to time. 4. On printing. This committee attends to the necessary advertising and printing. All these report their action to the main committee as it adjourns from time The day having arrived, at the hour named, the officers and speakers being ready, and the audience assembled, the chairman of the committee of arrangements calls the meeting to order, nominates the president of the day, and puts the question on his acceptance. The latter now takes his seat, and the other officers are appointed. So soon as this is done, a clergyman, if there be one named for the purpose, delivers a short prayer. The chairman of the day next announces by name the reader of the Declaration, and says: "Mr. [naming him), will read the Declaration of Independence." The Declaration being read, the chairman says. "Mr. [naming him], the orator of the day " The orator now comes forward, and delivers his oration, at the close of which the exercises are determined, and after a benediction, if a clergyman be present, the meeting adjourns without any formal motion.
If a band of music can be had, it is always engaged on such an occasion, and plays national and patriotic airs previous to the taking the chair, at the close of the proceeding, and at the various intervals.
The public celebration of their own anniversaries by public societies, is done by orations, follows the same form.
CONVENTIONS.
A convention is a number of delegates assembled for the purpose of carrying out the views of constituents, and is gifted with powers over that of an ordinary meeting. It is the legislature of a party; and, consequently, is governed by the same rules of action, or very nearly, as any other legislative body. A convention may be called, either by some committee gifted with the power, or by invitation of the leading friends of a particular cause or measure. The call should contain some general directions as to the mode of electing delegates. The night before the meeting, it is usual for the friends of particular men or measures, among its delegates, to hold a caucus in order to devise the plan of action necessary to secure the success of the man or measures they prefer. Here they discuss acts and views with a freedom which cannot be permitted in open convention, and agree upon their common ground on the following day. Part of their proceedings will leak out in spite of all precaution; but care should be taken to admit none but those who are friendly, in order that as much secrecy as possible may be attained.
There are two sets of officers in a convention-temporary and permanent. The first is merely for the purpose of conducting the business preparatory to organization. The possession of the permanent president is often a matter of great importance when there are two parties in a convention. If the temporary president appoints the committee which is to nominate permanent officers, it may be important to gain him. In that case there is a struggle who shall nominate first, and sometimes there are several nominations for temporary chairman. To avoid this indecent competition, it is usual to give the delegation from each country, district, or township, the right to name one member of the committee on permanent organization. Until the permanent officers have been chosen, and have taken their seats, none but preliminary business is to be transacted.
The whole machinery of a convention resembles that of one of the houses of legislature. But a convention for a political or social purpose never formally goes into committee of the whole. When there is an interval, and the main body is waiting for the report of a committee, or after the business is done, and previous to adjournment, it is customary to call on various prominent men to address the convention, which thus goes into quasi-committee, without the formality of a motion. Frequently, the permanent chairman of a convention is chosen on account of his wealth or position; but the custom is a bad one. A convention is essentially a business convocation; the time of its members is more or less valuable; and no chairman should be installed unless he is familiar with the duties of his position, and capable of conducting affairs with promptness, dignity, and force. It is a custom to give the thanks of the convention to its officers, just previous to adjournment. In that case, the member who makes the motion puts, himself, the question upon its adoption, and declares the result.