Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1883-07-10
FOURTH OF July GRAFTON
BY cHAs. Q sTEyENsoN.

pleasure and enjoyment, nor for the
small boy to shoot firecrackers, and to
scare teams and elderly ladies, but for
more than that. As citizens of b great,
free and prosperous country, we have
come together to-day to celebrate the
deeds of our forefathers and to honor
the men, who over hundred years
ago struck the blows that made our
country independent. Every Ameri-
can citizen knows that on This day lot
years ago. the great American Rcpub-
lie sprang into existence. 1t was on
this day that the chains Of slavery
were stricken from suffering people.
1t was on this day that haven OF
refuge was opened for the oppressed
OF the whole world; tho condition of
the people improved, and the grandest
nation on this earth founded. It's no
wonder that wa, as loyal Americans,
meet to celebrate such an event.
People have said, and still say, that
the old patriotic sentiment is dying
out OF the Americans, and particularly
out of the rising generation. But
when about twenty years ago, the
Union was in danger. were there not
enough patriots then? Gould anything
have eqnalled the zeal and patriotism
with which those brave fellows re-
sponded to their country's call?
Though going to battle with death
staring them in the face, his grim
sickle cleaning like the eye Of some
hideous monster, ready to cut them
down; though recollecting the loved
ones at home, who would be destitute
without them; they never faltered, but
holding their country's good above all
things, they pressed on, and to-day
the Union still lives, and the stars and
stripes float as proudly end triumph
antly as ever they did. Oh, the an
guish in the homes of those soldiers |!
the wives widowed, the children or
phaned, the firesides made desolate;
but was there regret? No, not one.
The women, the American women,
never complained as long as the Re-
public was safe. When destruction
and disaster seemed on every hand
when fortune turned her face from us,
aye. when men faltered, the female
heart remained loyal and soothed and
encouraged her loved ones to again
take up the battle for freedom. All
honor to tho women of America! With
such mothers is it any wonder that
the American Republic was establish
ed and that American independence
remained fixed and immovable as the
rock Of Gibralter? And we are loyal
to-day. AS patriotic as ever, Let
one hand attempt to strike blow a,
our independence and the freemen OF
America will again rise in their nigh,
aud prove their loyalty.
The defenders of the Union were
not the only soldiers who fought
bravely. Those on the opposite side
fought Just as bravely, but they were
deluded, We're in wrong cause and
could not succeed Nothing could
equal their valor, and their leaders
were, many of them, prodigies in mil
itary achievements. But | do not
wish TO recall any war sentiments, fol
the period of reconstruction has come
and gone, the North and South are
united under firmer bonds than ever
AMI Federal and Rebel dwell peacefully
together under that flag, which iheil
forefathers so bravely upheld during
the Revolution; and the only act, dur
ing the year which recalls war recol
lections, is that day when the grave,
at friend and foe are alike decoratet
with beautiful blossoms, by the hand,
of loving friends.
NO more shall the war-ery sever,
Or the winding rivers be red:
They Danish our anger forever
When we laurel the graves of our dead
Under the sod ana the dew,
Waiting the Judgment day;
Love and tears for the Blue,
Tears and love for the Gray
Looking back over the history o
our country, one is astonished at it
rapid growth and Improvement
Where, quarter of a century age
the savage roamed, now large an
populous cities stand-whcre the pra
RE schooner of the pioneer dragge
it's weary way, now the locomotive
flies along it's track of steel. Larg