The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-06-02
THE FOURTH.

The anniversary of the nations birth
viii be here in month, and as yet nothing
has been done looking to its appropriate and
general celebration in this city. There is 4
double reason why the occasion should be
made the most of at this time. First, too
much cannot be done to impress upon the
minds of old and young the mighty event
the anniversary Of which is again upon US
We cannot do too much honor to the
memory of noble, Self-sacrifcing heroes of
q century ago whose courage, patriotism
and well directed efforts founded the great
nation which has just ended its first
century to find itself the hrmest and
strongest government the world has ever
seen. The patriot fathers, with the Declar-
alton of Independence and with powder
and ball, gained freedom for themselves
and left it as heritage to all who desire
the priceless beQuest. BY keeping before
the eyes and in the minds of all the deeds
and achievements of the forefathers
she inspiration which fired the hearts of
the brave men Of a hundred years ago will
be kept alive and burning, and the race of
patriots devoted TO the cause of liberty will
ever increase in number and in the inten-
sity of their loyalty So long as we uni
yersally celebrate Independence day in the
ways which men have devised for dis
tinguishing the anniversary, liberty will
be safe.
Just now and in this city there is special
reason for desiring a general celebration.
For long years, through causes not neces-
sary to recount, there was but slight recog-
milton of the day. The community was
divided into factions, and the iealousies-
10 call the passions or sentiments by their
mildest name-were so intense that the
people could not or would not come together
and unitedly do honor to the greatest of all
our national days. II will be remem-
bered that two or three years ago,
at the time of our darkest trouble.
when the community was distracted by
trouble and annoyance OF the ugliest ma
ture, and bitterness and hate We're in many
hearts, an honest and earnest effort was
put forth by conservative men from the
several factions to unite the people in
common celebration on the Fourth of July.
The undertaking seemed hopeless at the
start, but persistent and well directed
labor succeeded in spite OF the opposition,
and good degree OF success was achieved.
There were concessions and the hiding of
feelings for the day, and if people did not
forget the past. they shrouded their memo
res for the day, and thus convinced them
selves that it was possible to approach
within speaking distance Of each other
The event had highly beneficial effect
From that day may be dated the commence
ment of the era of better feeling
which has characterized the community
Something of harmony set in at the time
and has prevailed ever since. The clash
ing elements were somewhat softened, and
the temper OF the radicals has grown less
sharp. There has been a larger degree of
prosperity; men who had been antagoniziug
zach other, ana carrying their opposition
into all the walks Of life, gradually came
together and have since been laboring for
their own and the public welfare. 1t is
admitted by all that Utah is stronger, is
more united, IS far more prosperous by rea-
son of that Fourth OF July celebration
when there was uniting Of hands and at
least an apparent union Of hearts.
4 hearty and general celebration next
month will continue the good work, bring
ing the people more closely together and
inspiring them with new courage and
stronger hopes. If there can be union and
harmony on one day, there will be a nearer
approach TO these things on all the days of
the year, and united community can defy
and successfully combat the evils which
threaten this fair city and loved Utah.