Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-07-11
THE EVER GLORIOUS
Celebrated on a Large Scale in
Devils Lake.
Five Thousand People Take
Part in the Festivities.
The Eagle Duly Screams Him
self Hoarse.
Some Notable Events on the
Race Course.

the curtain had fallen upon the last act.
Then it rained. The atmosphere was
cooled. The dust, the only disagreeable
feature Of the day, was converted to
mud. The procession formed at 1880
at the passengerd depot. and the Casselton
excursion train beinasan hour late, the
line of march was taken up as per pro.
gram. At the grand stand the band
rendered the "Star Spagled Banner
after which it returned to the depot,
followed by the ship Of state, to act as
escorts for the excursionists. The lit.
erary exercises were opened by a
patriotic Introductory address from Mr..
Corsett, whose remarks we're frequently
%applauded. The Hon. H. w. Hill read
the Declaration of independence in
splendid style; and he was followed by
Mr.. A. H. Noyes, of Grand Forks, who
spoke as follows:
Citizens: 1t has become a trite saying
that to deliver an interesting Fourth of
July Grafton is ne of the most difficult
of oratorical undertakings. And if you
have gathered here today to hear ONE
thing new or startling or eloquent !
shall fail and you be disappointed. But
if you have brought with you that
patriotism, that love of country, that
affection for the declaration of the
"Rights of Man, that sacred regard fol
the constitutional privileges you enjoy;
if you love the most beautiful flag that
adorns a mast upon the sea, or a staff
upon the land; in other words, if casting
aside the cares, the labors and troubles
of life, you have come together today
with patriotic appetite, my words re,
ferring to Il beloved country, though
but the coarse bread and dry crusts q
speech, will be as sweet as nectar and
delicious as ambrosia.
Then let me believe that it is not the
craving for novelty, but the love of
great nation that has assembled this null
titude. Though many of you, my lady
hearers, have heard your husbands say
ten thousand times, 81 love you," the
repetition of that concord of sweet
sounds has V made them less than
sweetest music to a loving, contiding
and trusting heart.
My Christian friend, who read your
bible, though you have turned it's holy
pages daily till now your hair is grey
with that faith which is "the substance
of things hoped for and the evidence OF
things not seen," have you tired of its
sacred, cheering, holy promises? No
with the constant repetition grows YOU
love for the "Old, old story" Then,
though 1 but turn the pages Of our coun-
try's history, or repeat in a stumbling,
hating way what has been much better
and often elouuently said before, my
words, through your patriotism, will be
acceptable.
Macauley says: !''That people which
take no pride in the noble achievements
of remote ancestors will never achieve
anything worthy to be remembered by
remote descendants" Pride in the
noble achievements and gratitude fol
the generous self-sacrifice ofour nations
heroic dead led us a few weeks since, il
commingled sadness and gladness, III
divided mourning and rejoicing, tC
decorate with fading beauty the graves
of those whose fame shall never fade
We remember them all and crown them
all with flowers. Those who fought and
fell in the war for Independence. those
who pcrished in the war of 1872, those
who fell i'll the triumphal march to the
City of Mexico, those who were massa
cred on the western prairics, and NOR
especially those, because they are dearer
being nearer to us, those who fought 70,
the preservation of every star and stripe
of our nations flag, and for the liberty
and political equality Of every man
woman and child beneath its folds, fol
the Constitution and the Union, and
that this great government o;fthe people
by the people and for the people, nigh,
not perish from off the face ofthe earth
"Rest on! embaln.ed and sainted dead,
Dear as the blood ye gave.
No impious footstep here shall tread
The heritage of your grave,
Nor shall your glory be forgot
While Fame her record keeps
Or Honor points the halluwed spot
Where Valor proudly sleeps
Their memory is as beautiful, as fresl
and as fragrant as the flowers that COW
cred in such %profusion their hallowet
dust. Shroud them with the lilies O.
peace. Crown them with the rose O.
life. The past is secure and they are O.
its chiefest glory.
Webster, in that magnificent hope
springing from an intense and imlnortal
love of country, t%ransposes the beautiful
couplet of Grey:
.Visions of glory, spare my aching sight;
Ye unborn ages crowd not on my soul"
And with the inspiration of prophetic
genius, as he contemplates the future
grandeur Of our country, he exclaims
Unborn ages and visions of glory
crowd upon my soul" Again he says
on the anniversary of the birth of Wash
ington, ''Inspiring auspices this day
surround us and cheer u.s." And vet
these eloquent expressions of a splendid
hope were made i'll some of tho darkest
days of our political history; days O.
doubt as to whether we were a Union OF
a League, a Nation or a Confederation
days of unsuccessful efforts at compro
mise; days when the republic was trying
to exist half slave and half free; days o
congressional constitutional contention
and bitter sectional controversy that cul
minated almost in our political death,
yet gave to us a grander national life.
Webster in his reply to Hayne