Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-07-05
MAYOR GREGoRY's REMARKS

At its conclusion Grand Marshal Steph-
ems advanced to the front of the platform
and introduced the President OF The Dav.
Mayor Eugene Gregory, who spoke as fol-
lows:
We meet to day for the purpose of celebrating
the one hundred and thirteenth anniversary of
American independence; to express our rever-
ence and respect for the memory of our fore
fathers, and to recall, in grateful remembrance
the deeds of those noble patriots who sacrificed
life and liberty that we might ever enjoy the
gene:ous privileges of American citizenship
This inheritance is the grandest and most beue-
ficent ever given 10 man. The spirit OF patriot
ism animates every true American. Our liberty
loving people are to-day giving ample testimony
of their appreciation of the blessings which
freedom bestowS The shouts of freemen will
be heard in every city, hamlet and household
throughout the length and breadth OF our native
land-the glad shouts of millions, rejoicing
and bleSt in their birthright of freedom
faith founded upon such principles and
animated by such sentiments is as eternal as
the truths upon which it is based For its per
petustion the American people of to-day are
re .dy, should it ever again become necessary
to take up the strife in defense OF country, of
nome, and OF Government. The same fervor
and earnesTness which characterized the fforts
OF the noble patriots of IS will never be found
wanting in their descendants. Their devotion
gave - US this magnificent and Incompatible
Government, and the increasing patriotic OBJ
servance of each successive anniversary of this
memorable day affords ample testimony of its
loyal transmission. We should aim to educate
the youth of America to q proper conception of
the duties they owe to their country in sub
serving and perpetuating its every interest, by
endowing them with a pa riotic love for her
welfare. he who learns TO love his country
learns to fight for it; but he who fergets how TO
fight for his country forgetS how TO govern it."
That sentiment is peculiarly applicable to the
broadneSS ard grandeur of this free aud most
liberal Government, by and for a people who
are the peer of any upon the broad surface of
the earth, and to q system which, in its work
ings assures TO its adherentS the most perfect
freedom and security, 10 the extent that each
citizen is responsible to himself alone for his
personal share in perpetuaiing its administra-
ton, and which is to loyal and lifelong ambi-
ton part and parcel of his very existence
Under such conditions, and fortified by the
strength and energy of a people whose hearts
Will forever throb i'll unison with her welfare
who can prophesy that future generations will
not exercise the same patriotic 10y atty in cele-
bratipg this auspieious anniversary one hun
dred and more years hence as TO day. and in the
past?
In keeping with the sentiments of the Illus
trlous Webster, let us bear in mind that while
we have INDUCED in the most gratifying recol-
lectlons of the past, the Pleasures and blessings
of the present and in high hopes Of the futare
we must not forget that we have duties and OBJ
legations TO perform, corresponding to the bless
lngs we have received. in fostering our inheri-
tance and preserving the principles of civil and
religions liberty; further, that religion, knowl-