4th of July Toasts from 1842
Carroll County Times article for 8 July 1990
By Joe Getty

Many of us in Carroll County celebrated this past 4th of July with family outings, backyard barbeques, and maybe a trip to the beach or some other vacation spot.  This is quite different from the 19th century, when parades, patriotic speeches and community gatherings were prominent parts of local 4th of July celebrations.

Another time-honored 4th of July tradition that is out-of-fashion is the making of toasts.  Toasting was an important ritual during Carroll County celebrations of an historic nature.  A large dinner would be held in a local tavern after which toasts would be made in honor of the occasion by those present.  Occasionally the early newspaper printed these toasts.

A description of the celebrations and toast delivered during the July 4, 1842 are recorded in the newspaper, The Westminster Carrolltonian:

 "The 66th anniversary of American Independence was celebrated with a becoming spirit in the town of Westminster.  At the dawn of day the citizens were aroused by the Reveille and the firing of a salute.  At the hour appointed in the forenoon, the citizens and soldiers assembled at the place designated and a procession was formed at the northwest end of the town and proceeded to a grove in the vicinity.

The ceremonies were opened by the Rev. Eli Hendle with a prayer to the throne of grace.  The Declaration of Independence was read by Dr. George W. Chalmers.  An oration was delivered by William P. Maulsby, Esq., and then closed by prayer from Rev. Switzer, when a salute of 26 rounds was fired by the Westminster Guards.

The company then partook of a scrumptious dinner furnished by our worthy host, Mr. Benjamin Davis.  George Trumbo, Esq., Burgess of Westminster, acted as President and Isaac Shriver, Esq., as Vice-President when the following toasts were read:

VOLUNTEER TOASTS:  By the President of the Day; George Washington, the father of our country - may his memory be engraved on the hearts of Republicans.

By the vice-President:  America, Liberty and Equality.

By Dr. G. W. Chalmers:  United we stand - Divided we fall.  The true Republicanism is Union.

By Capt. John McCollum:  The day we celebrate - may its ever-returning anniversary find the people of the United States enjoying prosperity, together with civil and religious liberty.

By Lieut. Augustus Shriver:  May its proper celebration be deemed the highest privilege of American freemen.

By Lieut. S. D. Lecompte"  Agriculture - indispensable to the prosperity, as a Citizen Soldiery to the defense of our country - may the sunshine and the shower be alike propitious to its products.

By Lieut. Nelson Manning:  The sages and soldiers of the Revolution, ever to be remembered by a grateful Republic.

By Dr. D. B. McLaughlin:  Our Country Women - may their breastwork ever afford a shelter for the American infantry.

By Joseph Arthur:  May every true democrat strictly adhere to his pledge and never change his politics for the sake of office.

By William J. Mitten:  The Westminster Guards - good looking fellows, may they never disgrace their appearance.

By Saml. Moffit:  The Orator of the Day, who never has been transitory in the principles he so ably advocated, may he live long to enjoy the same.

By Benjamin Yingling:  The Orator of the Day.

By Jacob Grove:  The signers of the Declaration of American Independence of the United States.

By Dr. Jacob Shower:  The Orator of the Day.

By Col. James M. Shellman:  Our Country - the Republican principles of her citizens is sufficient cause to make tyrants tremble on the throne.

By Elias Yingling:  The Birth-Day of American Independence - while we celebrate the day may we remember what we owe to the Patriots of the Revolution for the enjoyment of our Liberties.

By John Mathias:  John McCollum, our worthy Captain of the Westminster Guard - may the company increase four-fold.

By Joshua Sundergill:  The United States of America, free and independent - may the god of political parties watch over and guard them with a jealous eye.

By Jacob Pouder:  The people of Maryland, may they ever hold in present remembrance all the great truths contained in the Declaration of Independence amongst the most important of which is that they cannot be taxed against their consent.

By John Henry Hoppe:  Here's to the goose that bore the quill, that made the pen, that wrote the Declaration of Independence.

By Richard Beggs:  May the tree of Liberty flourish round the globe, and every human being partake of its fruits.

By Richard Manning:  The day we celebrate - may it never be forgotten whilst the world exists.

By Thomas S. Brown:  All the inhabitants of the United States all to remember the day of independence, and thank the Almighty for a free country.

By William J. Mitten:  Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and Harrison and the Signers of the Declaration of Independence.

By John McCormick:  Here's to the man through whose land the water ran, that pushed the wheel that turned the cogs that ground the rags that made the paper on which the Declaration of Independence was signed.

By Michael Sullivan:  The fair sex.  Though we are Republicans, Democrats or by whatsoever other name they may choose to call us, under a good Government, we cannot live content without them."