The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-07-15

Svnihiptccj Afosc uuu fcporteu Inc Work 70
the city fathc.s rs follows
We have assembled here in pursuance
Of . part Of the regular exercises for the
celebration Of this Centennial day, 70 car
ry out purpose Of the Honorable Mayor
and City Council Of Westminster, which
is one Of the most appropriate acts that
could be performed by us 90 this occasion
and most honorable alike to its performers
and is purposes, to-wit: The erection OF
Of monument in commemoration Of the
first century Of the American Republic,
and as a testimonial of the gratitude and
care We owe and feel for its founders,
the men Of 1776, who have passed away
and left to US this princeless heritage. In
memory Of our country's birth, ushered
into life as it was amidst death and war
and want the fruit Of many hoty fought
and well contested battle field and VISIONS
council chambers, baptized BY the blood,
su6erings aud desolation Of a race Of men
and women whose like has never been
surpassed in grandeur, won by such he
roism and devotion to their cause as have
placed their names SO high upon the roll
of fame that all the world may see them,
and there 70 stay as long ms earthly time
shall be, and such as martyrs only are
possessed of-In memory of ourcountry'a
infancy and its youth which has not passed
away,-its sturdy growth and self reliance,
its independence from its own well deyel-
oped resources, its illustration Of civil and
religious liberty, and the truth of peo-
pies self government have challenged the
wonder and respect of nations that were
old before its birth. In memory of this
glorious day which has dawned upon us,
crowned with all the Jewels Of a nations
good, this day which marks the first cen
tury of our country's high and noble mis-
sion among the nations Of the earth, will be
an epoch in our history forallits history and
the manner of celebration by US viii be look
cd upon by future historians as the testof
our appreciation Of its institutions, This
day is point from which We may turn
and looking back compair ourselves as cit
izens with our fathers, and meuding what
ever errors we have made, draw fresh
inspiration from their lives for the future
We have raised here no column of stone
or metal, for they are but dead marks that
belong to the past from the date Of the
creation--but We have planted here tree
"a thing Of life, e,-that it may be a living
link uniting the past and present with the
future, that its young roots may ramiiy
the earth and draw therefrom its life as
does our country's principles from our own
hearts, and grow in strength and beauty,
that our children and our children's chill
dren may in time to come beneath its
shade find in every whispering leaf stirred
by the free air an oracle to teach them how
to live as freemen, and to be to them
monitor to teach them trust in Him who
holds the destiny Of nations in His hand.
Mayor Irwin briefly responded:
Ny FELLOW CITIZENS As the rep
of your city authorities ii is my
duty as well as pleasure to sanction and
accept this your action, and my only regret
is that this duty was not committed to an
ablcr head than mine. We celebrate to-
day the grandest event in our country's
history, and we cannot say or do too much
to commemorate it and keep it fresh in
the minds of our people. One hundred
years ago three millions Of people were
struggling for a national existence. To-
day forty millions of people send up their
glad shouts from free and independent
nation. May this tree which you have
planted, like our glorious republic flourish
and grow strong, striking its roots deep
down into this soil as the love of our in
has taken root in the hearts Of
the people. May it widely spread out its
affording protection to those
who seek its shelter as does our glorious
country to the weary, friendless exile of
every nation. Watered and nourished by
the life-giving dews and sunshine Of heay-
en-, may it grow stronger aud stronger, so
that it may be able to Withstand the storms
Of nature, as has our noble ark Of liberty
the fierce tempests Of the pas
sions of men--May the fruit Of this tree,
like the influences which 90 forth from
this land of freedom, fall upon fruitful
soils, and other trees grow from this,
and other republics from out those influ-
snces, until liberty is proclaimed through
out the world. Again fellow citizens we
accept this tree from your hands and ac-
your work to be an act Of the
,ity, since it was authorized by the author.
tiles of the city, but at the same time,
gentlemen Of the committee we thank you
most cordially for the beautiful idea Of
planting this Centennial Tree, which orig
uated with you, and which has done SO
much for the commemoration Of this day.
Mr.. james II. Diffenbaugh was then
aud read the following poem
which he had written the day before the
occasion:
} Pride of our city to glory arisel
sl5 @ up ,ae long long stall stairway q years 70 he skies
breath,
ind leave thee 10 others as sacred, in death.
treat things in thy future the shadows conceals.
treat promise thy youth and thy yigor reveals:
4 God gives thee life thou shalt tower on high
Thy thick boughs shall challenge each mood of the
rhe birds of the air shall build in thoe their nest
The pilgrim way-worn in thy shadow shall rest
Thy leaves shall be countless as ages decay,
And children Of children around thee shall play,
Thy ffiends in Thy greenness have happy estate,
Their hopes and their wishes are linked with my
fate.
sa- strangers win gaiher thy story 70 hear,
sweet childhood will view thee with reverence and
fear; FfI
'trong Manhood viii pause in his struggle for
wealth.
To speak Of thy greatness and pray for thy health
Did Age in his wrinkles will praise thy dear youth,
Is free as the sunlight as mighty as Truth.
,ood peoples good wishes thy growth win attend,
irave men and fair Indies thy form will defend
fall softly, sunbeansi steal gently, o air
est ye injure the child ofour ienderdst care:
LIQUIDS, weep DER It's weakness dews on II dirfil
inshroud II ye SHOWS let no wintry wind chH1i
lroupd IL kind zephyrs your whisperings keepi
weep Il storms that It's roots may strike deep
-eep watch Ger II stars ye soft eyes OF the night
. tender 30 constant 80 gentle. 80 bright
md II ever wretch injure or cause Il 70 wilt
turn into his soul like the knowledge Of guilt
'ursue him, search 1hro him, and send him Is roam
ike Nolan, the man without country OF home
Why guard It 80 closely why worship this treef
rs an emblem, my own happy country, of thee.
play.
re celebrate now Thy One Iiundredth Birthday.
Wicc fifty bright rings with their rofa,rc astl{sn