The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-05
AT THE OPERA HOUSE.
DR.. Raleigh's Interesting Address on Anne
lean Institutions.

DIR. Raleigh's Interesting Address on Amer
lean Institutions.
The exercises yesterday afternoon at
Ming's opera house were given under the
| direction of the Patriotic Order Sons of
America. Shortly before O'Clock the
members of the order met in their hall on
Broadway and then marched in body to
the opera house. During the forenoon the
stage had been simply, but neatly decor
ated with the national colors and natural
plants. The house was cool and it was q
pleasure to listen to the singing and the
speaking. The audience was not large
one, the other attractions of the day draw
ing many people from the hot city to cool
resorts in the neighboring country. r. G.
Davies, of the order, presided over the
meeting, and with him on the stage were
other members, the Rev. A. d. Raleigh, the
orator of the day, and Miss Ella Knowles,
who read the Declaration of Independence.
The main body of the Patriotic Sons was
grouped before the stage in the front row
of seats.
The exercises were opened with that
patriotic hymn, MY Country Ills of Thee"
by the sons, which was loudly applauded.
The presiding officer then introduced Miss
Ella Knowles. Miss Knowles reading Of
| the grand old document made by the faith
ers of the republic was excellent, for which
she was rewarded with ringing round of
applause. The Helena Glee club next rem
| dered patriotic air. and were obliged to
| respond with another number. The Rev.
| A. D. Raleigh was then announced by the
presiding officer. Mr.. Raleigh's address
was not lengthy one. but was we'll received
and heartily applauded at several points.
He said the people had gathered to-day to
! celebrate the birth of our American institu-
tions. He rejoiced in the revival that lead
public opinion of to-day to consider our
own nation. For some years Ill the past
public attention had been so diverted
to other channels and other questions
of living interest had been SO
thrust upon our thoughts that it was we'll
| we should again study the principles of
government that We all love, a study that
could but make us better citizens, and
throw light upon those problems that con-
| front us at the present time. He was very
glad that the Patriotic Sons of America,
Who true to their faith, had arranged for
the celebration of tina day, and that all
could come together on the occasion as sons
of America. For our God, country and flag
should be the sentiment of all who wor-
| shipped at a common shrine. During the
| morning all had given vent to their patriot
| ism. We had seen the star of Montana
shining for the first time as lustrous as any.
And it was fitting to meet in these quiet
| surroundings actuated with the spirit of
l776.
/ teen colonies of the new world to build a
government for the people they thought
we'll to publically state their ideas in the
document which had just been read, and
declared their purpose to found an empire
on these western shores whose cornerstone
should be the right of humanity. For ages
past the thought had been working in the
human mind If it were possible to establish
a civil government. This was the question
that had confronted our fathers. They be-
lleved it was possible to build such gov
eminent because it was founded on the
common rights of humanity. No question
could ever be settled in this world until it
was settled right. When our fathers thus
declared their purpose to found an empire
they believed in life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness. 1t was certainly self-evident
that man had right to live. 1t meant the
right to eat. God had made the earth
vast store house, but unhappily it was
speaker could not accept the theories of
Henry George, but he believed that
reformer had called attention to some
wrongs. In continuing he invited the
anarchist to study the principles of Ameri-
can government; 1t had not been the
with guillotine, and whose streets should
run with blood. In speaking of the public
| school system he said 10 greater evil had
ever cursed humanity than the union of
church and state. Each should pursue
their work in their own allotted lines.
| Montana was advancing. The last legisla-
ture that had legislated for her had passed
law permitting women to practice law.
One had been admitted to the bar point
ing to Miss knowles) who could probably
have the last word even with Col. Sanders.
The orator also spoke of the ballot system
and that eventually women would have the
right to vote. He closed by urging the ne
cessity for all to work together in an effor
to preserve the purity of our institutions.
After the Grafton the glee club sang an
other air, which was followed by the closin.
ode rendered by the Patriotic Sons. while
the audience slowly moved out of the build
ing.