Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-04

is always first; in city destined, We trust to
carry to posterity his revered name, linked to
the arts Of civilization; AG her een0O on thu ie
banks Of this fair river that not
| far hence flows with peaceful current by the
gentle heights Of Mount Vernon; here, in sight
OF yonder archives, where repose the originals
o. the draft. and Of the perfected instrument
Congress, on the Fourth Of July, 1776
marked new epoch In the history Of man
here, at the capital Of the nation, where dis
function OF state or section ceases. we meet
| as citizens OF a common country-upon what
Joy at this returning anniversary Of the nations
birth?
"A body polite governing itself with stead
| fast self restraint under q wholesome and
orderly procedure, free from the gusts of pes
sion, Presenfs-and It must ever present.
sublime spectacle. When such O common
wealth is beheld in numbers over sixty millions
| OF souls, converting into happy homes q vast
domain that sweeps from ocean to ocean. a
| population busy, energetic and highly prosper
GUS. the world we'll may marvel at the sight
Over evesy, town and hamlet floats the Gag
OF the Union. Today- at the worlds fair con-
| gregated thousands raise the anthem, while in
all our borders there resound the echoes of
| grateful praise that we are by the blessing of
God one people!
American independence The theme, sir,
never grows old. Each generation, as II comes
zenship, shall turn to that period when our
country was small and feeble, but her sons
| sturdy and heroic, and shall heed with what re-
solve the signers Of the declaration stood for
the rights Of man the world over.
mo human achievement 10 worth comment
Grating that has not behind 1t an idea.
The rights Of man. This il the keynote
OF the gladness with which the land today
exults."
The speaker reviewed briefly the events pre-
ceding the struggle for independence and
closed as follows:
HIS PERoRArroN.
"Mr. President, let me address single word
to the members Of the Society Of the Revolu-
ton, under whose encouragement the present
exercises are held
Your object, gentlemen, is worthy Of all
praise. Calling together those in whose
veins runs the blood of revolutionary ancestry
you seek by fraternal endeavor to keep vividly
before the people Of these United States a
| sense OF their obligation TO the patriots Of
1776. In SO doing you strengthen and help to
perpetuate genuine American sentiment.
III there be pressing upon your attention
| subjects Of public concern, whose treatment
and final disposition demand Of you somewhat
Of the patriotic devotion that your fathers 90
freely displayed in the struggle for independ-
| ence, it may not be cut Of place for your
speaker in drawing to a close these imperfect
remarks, to bestow upon such topics at least q
passing allusion.
"DemocracyAthe government Of the people
by the people-went on trial in 1776. Each
year adds to the stock Of confidence with which
we may count upon its stability. But let us
not forget, my friends, that democracy is still
on trial, that new conditions arise from time to
time with which it must deal adequately and
wisely.
Two dangers, IL il plain to see, are at this
very hour threatening us.
II do not refer to clouds gathering on the
horizon Of business. These, We may believe,
| are soon to pass away under prudent admin
| istration Of affairs, which our honored chief
magistrate, aided by conservative counsellors,
irrespective Of party, will give to the country.
mo. l mean, first. foreign immigration
taken in connection with the growing tendency
Of our population to crowd into the cities, and
second. the portentous difficulties Of dealing
with the question Of suffrage 90 as to leave the
ultimate source of power where alone II belongs;
to secure a free expression Of opinion at the
polls, and to insure IN reaching and an
nouncing the results Of an election the highest
degree Of fairness that the imperfections of
human natuve will permit
These are living questions. They caLnot be
| evaded. They must be met and solved. To
solve them Alright b to tax TO the utmost wis
iom the moderation and the unselhshness Of
those who take part in public afaira
Ex-coMMIssIoNER DOUGLASS.
The inspiring notes of "Hail Columbia" then
rang out gladly on the scene, after which an
interesting address was made by Mr. John W.
Douglass. ex-Commissioner Of the District
He commended the simple plan Of celebra-
ton exhibited by the patriotic associations rep
resented here today. and said while it NAV lack
the extensive preparations and the elaborate
Grafton Of the old time affairs 1t answers better
the purpose in these later, hurried and buster
times. "But let us hope and believe" he said,
''that this condensed condition has in its essen
tial nature the quality for greater display when
greater emergencies shall REQUIRE loysl ac-
tivity.
"While we are assembled here, this beautiful
July morning, to renew our vows to liberty,
civil and religious, there stands upon the shores
Of one Of our great western inland seas . won
derful little white city. small when compared
in acres with the giant though youthful mother
at her side, yet in every historical and aesthetic
sense the equal of any and surpassed by none.
That great Columbian exposition stands for all
that is valuable in the centuries Of national and
material progress, and all that 10 most cherished
In social and religious life.
"Many Of the loyal women Of the land have
joined to have q liberty bell cast to memorable
this great Columbian era. 40 we'll as to express
their faithful loyalty to the American Union To
express the thought Of an indissoluble union
the Dell mas Oeen cast from tnou0AnQS OF contrib
uted metallic souvenirs from as many individ-
ual sources all over the broad land. Long may
its melodious tones testify to them and their
children's children that It il q good thing for
brethren to dwell together In unity.
"Along with this thought of early impressinR
the mind with the nationai sentiment or love
Of country the recent practice in this District
OF having the stars aud stripes to Goat over the
public school buildings during the hours of
attendance is cooperative and popular Every
time the young eve catches sight Of its spirited
colors and breezy effect they will sink into the
mind, unconsciously IL may be at times, re-
newed sentiments Of love for its beauty as an
emblem and a more determined allegiance TO
the nationality ii represents. This il . custom
that can only be duly honored in its spread
from sea to sea.
Il hear that it has been said by parties not
members Of either Of our associations and
whose great grandfathers were, II 10 thought at
the evacuation Of New York in l7sS, duly armed
and equipped with carpet bags, that these asso-
Citations are like certain etables-their valu-
able parts underRround--and that Ia probably
true also Of our critics. Yes, the world does,
always has and It viii be sorry
day when 1t fails to reverence its dead
heroes, sages and benefactors. Columbus,
Cromwell, Luther, Wesley. Milton, Nelson,
Wellington. Mansfield, Napoleon, LAFAYETTE,
Washington. Franklin Jefferson, John Adams,
Marshal. Jay. Jackson. Grant, Sherman,
Thomas. Lincoln and host Of other American
and transatlantic heroes philosonhars .nd