Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-05


Exercises at the grand stand in Schenley
Park began at IL o'clock yesterday morning
and the programme was carried out in full.
Other events of the day will be found on
another page. The May Festival chorus
did not respond in as full numbers as was
expected, but the best voices were there,
about 100 strong, which made up for the
missing ones. All the speakers on the pro-
gramme appeared promptly. A crowd of
5000 people clustered about the stand and
its numbers were not diminished from
the opening until the close at
$50 P. NJ. First came march
by the Great Western Band. 1t was en-
titled "Schenley Park" 1t was composed
by Prof B. Weis and dedicated to Mayor
sourley. An overture of American National
IS brought considerable applause, and then
= May Festival chorus sang the National
mn. Following this Mayor Gourley
yped forward and said:
ELLow AMERIoANs-We are assembled
re on this propitious morning under the
lial sky, in this beautiful park, the gift of
good woman, and under the benign in
renee of freedom, to celebrate in a befitting
Snner the anniversary of a great day.
Wherever born, whatever our religions
whatever our occupations and under What
ever conditions we are to-day Americans,
one and all One hundred and fifteen years
ago the representatives assembled and
signed the Declaration of Independence
The loyal old bellman in the State House on
that day gave the newborn nation the first
note of freedom. We are here to-day to
fulfill the prophecy of Adams, that this day
will be commemorated as long as men live
and hearts beat.
Invoked Blessing From Almighty God.
He then introduced Rev. David Jones,
who made the opening prayer, and asked
that the observance of the day might ever
prove a blessing to the country and that
the smile of the Almighty God might rest
upon the community and nation. Follow
ing this the chorus sang the ''Star Spangled
Banner" and Prof George NJ. Sleeth re-
cited the Declaration of Independence. Its
familiar passages called forth loud ap-
plause.
After the Greatwestern Band had render
ed ''Stabat Mater" District Attorney Bur-
leigh assumed his position as master of
ceremonies, and introduced to an enthusi-
astic crowd Congressman John DalzelL He
was greeted with cheers as he stepped out
on the platform and began to speak. His
address was as follows:
On July ., l776, the Continental Congress
passed the resolutions which finally Sepa-
rated the American colonists from the
mother country. The Declaration of 1nde-
pendence was pronounced two days there
after. And so it is nearly six score years
since patriotic old John Adams member of
the Continental Congress, writing from
Philadelphia to his wife in Boston, used
these memorable words: 1.-The second day of
July, I76 will be the most memorable
epoch in the history of America. i am apt
to believe that it will be celebrated by sue
CessiTe generations as the great anniver-
sary festival. 1t ought to be commemorated
mighty. 1t ought to be solemnized with
pomp and pride; with shows, games,
sports, guns, bells, bonfires and 1llu-
continent tothe other, from this time for
ward forevermore"
We meet to-day in Gods own temple
meath the unpillared arch, in the summer
sunshine, midst the trees, and to the music
Ufhunning waters in proof that John Adams
was a prophet indeed. Here are the games,
sports, bonfires and Examinations that
testify the glad joy of great and prosperous
people in the realization of the blessings of
civil and religious liberty. Whose heart
does not swell with gratitude to-day, whose
lips are dumb OF thanksgiving, whose nature
does not warm with enthusiasm, when he
sees above him the starry banner of his
glorious country, meaning as it does, the
people?
Our colonial fathers were heirs to English
liberty. They had Magma Charta and Declar-
alton of Right. They had all the muniments
of individual freedom won in all the cen
tuTies of Saxon conflict and of English
history. And had there been no encroach-
have been British subjects instead of free
American citizens. But, thank God, our
fathers cared not for theory when it failed
of conformity to practice. They wanted not
GeTt fOI fha
that in the Divine economy some are lords
some dukes, some princes, they substituted
the sober fact that all men are created free
and equal.
As Wonderful a Dream.
This was the first step in the new epoch of
the civilization that has followed. How
pregnant, my countrymen, of results? The
century and more that has followed the
Declaration OF Independence has written
for us a story that rivals the dreams of the
Ctopians of an earlier day. For the first
time in the worlds history the people,
acknowledged as the source of sovereignty,
govern Themselves under a constitution
which the greatest OF living Englishmen has
declared to be ''the most wonderful work
ever struck off at given time by the brain
and purpose Of man.
In the enjoyment of liberty regulated by
law we have made rapid strides in moral and
material advancement. Provision has been
made for the education of ALL Honest labor
meets its fair reward. Merit everywhere
finds recognition. The avenues to place and
mower are open alike to the loftiest and
the humblest. Peace and good order pre-
vail. Law reigns. Manufactures and the
arts flourish. The fertile fields of a conti-
nent have been turned toward the sunlight
and the desert has been made to
blossom as the rose. Civilization has |
marched across prairie, plain and mountain,
planting the church and the schoolhouse
founding cities, building railroads carrying
the reign OF law, so that our flag to-day sym
bolizes the national authority from Eastern
TO Western ocean. From three millions we
have become sixty-five millions of people.
We are the wealthiest people on the face of |
the globe. No other nation enjoys such |
credit as ours. |
facts. They are facts, however, that give us |
a right to boast. One merit, and the great |
merit of this 4th of July festival is that it /
brings US face to face with our greatness and /