Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-07-08
The Significance of the Fourth Of July

BY request, We print in our editorial col
umns the brief remarks which we made
at the Unitarian Sunday school
concert on Sunday evening. July Alb,
hoping that they may be of some little
interest to all youthful readers of the AMER
ICAN. The remarks were substantially as
follows:
One hundred and ten years ago this very
day, in the city of Philadelphia, there was
proclaimed to the world the Declaration Of
Independence. You have read that wonder
full document. Your teachers and your par
ents have taught YOU to respect il for the
grand truths which il sets forth. You have
been taught much of the history which gave
rise TO the observance of this dav The
principal events of the Revolutionary War
are doubtless known to you. You have
heard something of the deeds of vslor Of
Washington, and Warren, and Sullivan, and
many other valiant men Of that time. But
il is difficult for any of US, and especially is
it difficult for children, 10 appreciate one
hundred and ten years afteruard, the terri
bic struggle and the sacrifices which our
Revolutionary ancestors made that this
might be free nation. You know that pre-
yious to the Declsrs,ion Of Independence
and the War of the Revolution. the Ameri-
can colonies belonged TO Great Britain they
we're subject to its laws. and were ruled by
It's king Great Britain was then. as il is
now. rich and powerful nation. II had a
large army. IL was strong and powerful,
and rich in resources. But it is very hard
for You 10 understand how few and weak
aud scattered the American people were at
that time. How was II in our section Of the
country, in what is now Eastern Maine !?
Ellsworth was first settled in 1863 only
thirteen wears before the Declaration Of In
dependence. In this vicinity there was onlv
here and there a clearing upon which had
been erected log house for the shelter Of
man. and a rude howell for the shelter OF
beast. There we're no roads, no horses, no
carriages. and no means Of transportation
whatever, except boats People in gong
from one place 10 another were guided by
spotted trees. What was true Of Ellsworth
was largely true Of the whole country
Here and there. a. in New York and Bo.-
ton. there was a small city or centre Of pop
ulauon. but the people Of the country as a
whole. we're few. poor, and widely scattered
II seems hardly possible that a people thus
situated would dare to fight for their liber-
,Ies against great and powerful nation like
Crea, Britain. but they did. They tough,
nobly and well. and made every sacrifice for
American liberty. When the British troop.
threatened an attack on Machias. Hannah
Weston, residing in what i now the toSu
Of loneshoro, ran her pewter spoons and her
husbands fishing leads into bullets, and
then following a forest path, she carried
them through the woods distance Of nine
1r ten msles and delivered them to her hus-
band and his associates in arms-then sta
toned at Nachias that they might be huF.-
ed against ~ enemy, in defense Of their
homes and firesides Such is an example Of
The spirit Of sacrifice that was prevalent all
over the country al that time American
troops, hopeful and determined, staining the
frozen ground over which they marched with
blood which flowed from their unprotected
'eet pressed forward 10 victory. They did all
this for the sake Of principles in which they
believed, and for which, # need be. they
were ready 70 die; and, strange as i may
seem. they nobly conquered throwing off
the woke of British oppression and making
this country free indeed.
There comes down 20 u. my Young
friends. a. q heritage for their tolls and their
sacrifices al the blessings which We ENJOY
today. Il was suier.ngs and sacrifices
such as theirs which have given the Fourth
of JuIy all It's significance among men Re
Numbering ali these facts, We NAV well re-
]oce a. the return Of thi, day We may We!
be proud Of the noble heroism of our an
cestors.
20 u who boast IN yOur free Ysin- the blood
uf ire like these. lU-c not their linrAmcnt>."
Tins beautiful flag Of stars and stripes -
the symbo. Of the American nation. and al
the principles for which lis sons have fought.
| conjurc YOU. my friends, 10 love this flag
as YOU love your life One Of the crownlng
virtues Of the American people.W hich should
be taught the children in our schools and
emphasized from the platform and the pull
phi : LOYALTY 10 that flag. ! conjgre yog too
to cherish, Ike your Revolutionary fathers
and mothers, principles which shall be dear
70 YOU, SO dear that YOU will always be ready
% defend them by YOUR hes; words and
deeds
rejoice a; these decorations here today
wish that every church in all TIN. land
nigh, be SO decorated on occasions Ike ihis.
Then the influences which would 20 out 10
the children. would make them strong in
patriotism. Then We nigh; say With zig
u.tcance the words never had before
The ,tar-~paneied banner in triumph ,hall
Ger he land Of the free and tie home Of The
brave"