Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1891-07-09
From Special Evening Edition, July 4th.
Patriotism, Thoughtful Study, and the
Tendency of These United States
Combined with Graceful Oratory In
SENATOR CLAYPOOL's ADDRESS
Ny FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS

Il
On the second day of July, 1910, the
Continental Congress passed the resolu-
ton of independence. John Adams,
writing to his wife on the day following,
predicted that that day would be set
apart in this nation as day, the chief
day to be commemorated and celebrated.
The day was, however, to date from the
declaration, rather than from the resolu-
ton, and, therefore, we have the glorious
Fourth. The prediction of Mr.. Adams
was also made by many Others but his
was most notable in its fuldlment. Some
idea of the battle waged bv our forefath-
ers during seven long years, may be
history of the resolution, written by a
British soldier who served on the other
side, Mr.. NJ. @. Stedman. On beginning
his account of that long and sanguinary
struggle he says:
$50 natural is the love Of liberty, and
such the aversion of mankind to restraint,
that it seems to be the very nature OF col
onies, and all subordinate governments.
to seize every favorable opportunity for
asserting their Independence; and the
external aspect of nature, varega ed and
broken by mountains, savannahs, rivers,
lakes and seas, conspires with that noble
passion to check the progress of empire,
and to maintain an interesting diversity
among tribes and nations. But when the
British colonies, now the thirteen United
States of America, took up arms and de-
elaied themselves free and independent,
they were not encouraged by any con
iuncture that could justify that measure
in point of policy or by any circumstances
that cou d yield any reasonable hope OF
success in the arduous struggle that was
to ensue. On the contrary If we take a
view of the strength and resources of
Great Britain at the commencement o.
hostilities and contrast this with the
weakness and almost total inability of the
revolving colonies, we must have reason
to conclude that the termination of the
war in favor of the latter, with their final
separation from the British Empire, was
one of those extraordinary and unexpect-
ed events, which in the course OF human
affairs merely occurs and which bid de-
fance to all human foresights and cal
culations."
When Ethan Allen was asked by the
British mmander by what authority he
took Ticonderogo, he promptly answered,
''by the authority of Jehovah and the
continental congress-" And 80 we, have
lived all these years, and by the authority
o. God and the people, we are here to Gel
citrate the acquisition OF our liberties, on
the Fourth of July, 1891, and Of the indie
pendence of the United States of America
the one hundred and fifteenth. From
time so long ago that the mind Of man
runneth not to the country, there have
been festivals and holidays; these have
sought to cover all sorts of memorials,
membranes, rejoicings and sorrows.
In most Of them only restricted class
might participate heartily. In this
country Of mixed population, different
nationalitives can but think on memora-
BILE dates, OF defeat or victory on fields
not far away. In this country of many
religions, lor, perhaps, should say many
forms of the same religion), devotees O.
different faiths celebrates many DAYS
according to the Teachings of their re-
spective socities and churches, and so
In all these our thoughts naturally sep
crate. But in one grand festival We can
al rejoice. In one grand memorial we
may all unite in contribution. In one
song we may all lift our voices. This is
she festival of freedom, the memorial to
Bravery the song of liberty.
shall take it that all within the sound
OF my voice know Of their country's history
and if your appearances are any indica-
ton Of inclination, an attempt at even a
brief RESUME of all the growth leading up
to the independent national existence
would be most unwelcome. Neither
would it be appropriate to mourn over
the Revolutionary fathers, for they are
not proper subjects for grief, and this is a
day of rejoicing. Let us then do justice
to the brave, long dead, but in form and
manner calculated to enhance the plea
sure of the day and bring renewed hope
and strength for the future.
The Declaration Of Independence, read
to you, is not only the instrument pro-
claiming our freedom, but it is an in
dictment against George Nv, tyrannical
and unjust monarch The Americans
could despise him and his unjust mea-
sures very easily, and aver that these
colonies were and of right ought to be
free and Independent. But when it came
to the establishment of that political lib
erty so confidently claimed, there was
the "tug Of war;" How nobly was it
proven that every word said and written
in those early and problematical times
was meant to endure How the solemn,
earnest purpose Of the sturdy men
freighted sentences until every word
seems heavy and significant What
wholesome and relieving absence Of
buncombe" and balderdash" in their
talk! True, and all they advocated in