The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-06-28
A New Departure I'm Fourth or July
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A New Departure I'm Fourth OF July
Celebrations.
There is a general understanding that
the centennial Fourth of July is to be cele-
brated with more than usual pomp, dis
play and enthusiasm. Patriotism is to be
worked up to the high est pressure that the
people can bear. This is msEifestiy
proper. The Fourth of July, like Wash
iDgton and his co mpstriots, has been al
most forgotten. To revive the memory
of their deeds and sacrifices, and bring
the great national holiday into deserved
prominence snd place it in advance Of all
other holidays reflects credit upon those
who advocate the good work. There is
then, so far as we are informed, no conflict
of opinion about the proprfety OF the cele-
brstion, but in regard to the naodHs crer-
Gnat 9 new departure Is advocated in
some quarters, snd the suggestions are
worthy of consideration In some locsli
ties fire is made an important feature in
the programme-such as torchlight pro-
cessions and general illuminations. In
addition to these, acknowledgements
displays of all descriptions-sre to be
added. Now, since the people of the
United States are not tire-worshippers,
the question arises, Will it not be prudent
to dispense with this supersbundsnce Of
fire, and supply its place with something
quite as eievating aud sOul-stirring aud
vastly less dangerous and annoying? As
an argument in favor of ignoring fire and
| fireworks almost entirely or altogether, it
is claimed by those who profess
to know-and the facts in the case
are sccessible-thst this lebrating
fire has led directly to the sacrifice OF life
and the destruction of property of great
value. In this connection we see it stated
that the city of Portland, Maine, a few
years ago, came near being laid in ashes
by the explosion of q fireoracker at
Fourth of July celebration.
The subject is regarded of SO much i'm
portsnce thai it has attracted the attention
of Congress. Quite recently, Mr.. Chitten-
den, member of the House, opposed ''an
appropriation by the federal treasury for
fireworks in the District OF Columbia,
showing the heavy losses which were en-
tailed upon the country by their indis-
criminate use. Within a few years past
he asserted the losses from fire amounted
to the enormous aggregate of 100000, OOO.
and of these CONGREGATIONS fireworks were
largely the cause. IT Mr.. Chittenden's
estimate is correct, or even approximately
correct, the conclusion is inevitable that
fireworks are altogether too dan
gerous and expensive to be INDUCED in
on the Fourth of July, or any other day.
This is the view of the case taken by the
vors a resolution in Congress, "prohibit-
ing the importation of firecrsckers alto
gether, while placing other descriptions of
pyroteehnics under the same stringent
rules and regulations which apply to nitro
g!ycerine, gun cotton, giant powder and
other dangerous explosives. 1t would be
still better il we could abolish them In
toto, but if that can not be accom- lished,
let us at least compel their use in such a
manner as will no longer make these re-
curing celebrations occasions of positive
apprehension and terror"
We doubt if patriotism would die out In
this country, provided fire works should
be forever discontinued and firecrackers
disappear from the earth, and since they
are known to be dangerous, would it not
be we'll for those who are charged with the
centennial celebration of the glorious
Fourth to provide a substitute? The fact
that the country is crippled by "hsrd
times" and grooming under burdens o:
taxation, the thousands of dollars that are
likely to be worse than thrown away on
fireworks suggests that the money ex-
pended on fireworks might be put where
1t would do more good.