The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-07-24
PATRIOTIC WORDS.
President Harrison's Remarks at tho
Fourth of July Celebration I'm Wood
stock, Conn.

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Fourth of July Celebration i'm Wood
stock, Conn.
MIR. Chairman and fellow citizens,
it is not my purpose to make an address
to-day. / did not know until this morn
ing that the programme would contain
any mention of my name at all, but it
would be altogether uncivil if did not,
this opportunity being offered me, ex-
press my thanks to those of you who are
gathered here this morning and TO him
upon whose hospitable invitation you have
gathered, for the friendly and cordial
greeting which you have given me, not
only here to-day, but in my progress
hither Yesterday. Your patriotism has
been put to the test by weather conditions
as unfayorable as are possible in the sum-
mer season, but you will not, / am sure,
hold me responsible for the fact that
the bureau having these conditions in
charge has failed 10 secure TO You such
weather as We could have desired to-
day. 1t is very gratifying to know that
Your love of country and your interest in
the perpetuation and right observance Of
this pleasant celebration at Woodstock
have so perfectly triumphed over every
impediment. l am sure / look into the
faces this morning OF a body of citizens
filled with honest pride in the story of
their country and full o. ser Gus purpose
TO maintain those institutions from all
faint of corruption or decay. We stand
to- day as a nation exempt from all fears
of foreign hurt. 1t is not in the power
of any people upon earth much to harm
us except our own people. We DO not
say this IN. any spnit OF boastfulness, but
rather in one of thankiulness, for that
Divine Providence which has given us
nations of the earth that no people of a
great power touches us on any size. Our
thoughts ought to tuln 10 dangers which
are internal and from which alone We can
have serious harm. All the more should
every thoughtful citizen consider how
he may promote the public veal, how he
may hold up our institutions in honor
among ourselves. securing and pro-
noting both in State and ma
tional legislation those measures
which have best promoted, not individ-
ais. not the special, but the general
good of all the people. / think such
meetings as these, the old-fashioned
Fourth of July celebrations, have in them
very instructive and elevatlng power. |
think you should be. as doubtless you are,
very appreciative and grateful 10 him who
inau2urated these gatherings. | am glad
on this anniversary of that declaration
which, afterward established by arms
made rs a nation serious as in the pres
ence of him whose guidance has been
conspicuously present in all our affairs, to
unite with YOU in fresh conservation 10
duty and to the true veal and happiness
OF all our people. / desire to thank these
comrades of the Grand Army of the
Union for their escort and attendance
here to-day Surely those who in peril,
on the red edge of battle, have shown
their love to the flag will not fail to be
good citizens, now tn 4 they have re-
turned 10 abodes of peace and civil pur-
suits. To all of Won who have gathered
from these Connecticut homes | desire TO
express my thanks for your kind and pleas ..
ant reception. 1t seems 10 be exceedingly
appropriate that one like Mr.. Bowen, here
on these Connecticut hill tops, drawing in
his youth the vigor and strength which
equipped him for the sharp contests of
business life in our great city, should re-
turn hitler, bringing back to the old hills
and 10 the old State tribute of that
wealth whish he has accumulated to
beautify and benefit a county to which he
himself is so largely indebted. 1t is
pleasant 10 know that thic example In
this respect is spreading among those
sons of New England who have gone not
only to the great cities and marts of trade
upon our Atlantic seaboard but even to
the far West-that they are coming back
and repossessing themselves of old New
England homes and giving their influence
and their means TO preserve and per-
petuate here that high type of simple
but strong citizenship which was the
pride of these States in early years.
There are behind me several gentlemen
with manuscripts in their pockets who
are burning for utterance, and l will do
again to- day that which ! have so much
formed the habit of doing at Washington
give way to Senators and members OF
Congress.