Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1889-07-06


.iatioa walk in the straight and mar
row way those bright stars and stripes
shall continue IN proudly wave over
the Land Of the free.
Mrs. ChHs. q. Smith then read
beautiful poem entitled. "why Are
We Here To-day"
Miss Mamie Harrington then sang
a touching ratiotic song. "The Buglr
Call" the choir joining in the chorus.
She was heartily encorcd for the
charming manner in which she sang
the difficult number, and in response
repeated the last verse.
y. II. Mccsrty. ESQ, having been
introduced, delivered the following
Grafton:
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Standing here to-day, my mind
goes back to the past when the
meaning of the word POVERTY was
nothing more nor less than slavery.
To be poor was to be a vassal or
serf for the King, and the greatest
honor that could be conferred, or
ever was conferred on poor man
was when some lord or nobleman
made him his footman or body
servant. In those days the common
people, as the poor were styled, were
deprived of schools, and when some
leading, spirited man dared to at
tempt TO break the bonds that held
him he was thrown into Jail and the
scaffold or guillotine sent him TO the
grave.
II was this love of freedom and
hatred of serfdom that tried, con-
victed and executed the young hero
Of Ireland, Robert Emmett. One
hundred years ago there would never
have been a Parnell commission.
No, Mr.. President, but the London
Times" would have received some
thing like $4,000 pounds for its das-
tardly work. Parnell, Davitt and
others of the Irish leaders would
have died upon the block.
What brought this change, and
when did it take place? 1t was
when the Thirteen Colonies declared
they were and of right ought to be
free and independent States. And
since that declaration of independ-
ence was signed the American
people have spent in cash from the
treasury alone over six and half
billion Of dollars, TO say nothing Of
the destruction Of private property,
and a million of lives have been
laid down TO keep the old Flag
where ii is to-day, and where it is
not guarded by standing armies for
fear the people will rebel against il.
mol but its defenders are stronger
than all these. II is loyalty that fills
the hearts Of sixty millions of free
people thst are ready 10 die for their
Country and their Flag. And If one
but wishes TO know whether or not
freedom sons are afraid 10 die, let
them turn their eyes TO Samoa.
While the Trenton and Vandalia were
drifting upon the rocks, going 10 al
most certain death, did the American
soldier and seaman beg 70 be saved or
fear 10 diet Mol when they saw
there was no hope ,bey formed them
selves in battle line on deck the ships
band began 10 play, and over the roar
and noise OF storm, rain and wind in
the dark night was heard the sweet
strains OF that grand old air, "The Star
Spangled Banner" they driited swiftly
on to death. And look at the scenes
OF Shiloh, Gettysburg, Pittsburg Land
ing, and think what an irresistible
force those armies would make were
they united and fighting for common
cause.
In the last few years we have been
called upon 10 mourn the loss of the
great leaders Of the civil war-the ones
that stemmed the tide OF rebellion,
kept the Union compact and crushed
the life out OF slavery. Among those
names we see foremost, Grant, Sher-
man, Sheridan, Thomas, Logan and a
host OF others. Looking at Grants
death-bed see that brave Confeder-
ate soldier, General johnson, once
Grants enemy, now his pall-bearer as
they march to the grave,
see Sheridan, who was born for
war, dying, and hear the words Of con-
dolence coming from the South as
they did from the North: and we'll
may we thank God that the North aud
South are united once more, and that
both North and South gaze upon the
flag with pride to-day.
Mr.. President, how will we retain
the freedom that has been handed
down TO nsf Why, we will build school
houses; we win try and make peace
between capital and labor, and by
good deeds. acts and laws will erase the
idea that one law is made for the poor
and another for the rich. And when
we school the children, take care OF
and guard the laboring man and
woman, depend upon 1t our flag will
fly forever.
The song America" was then sung
rs follows:
My country Ills Of thee,
Sweet land Of liberty,
OF thee | sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims pride,
From every mountain side
Let freedom ring.