The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-07-11
Washington was

ssue of mighty struggle. Washington was
,orn to peerless fame because his person ana
lis career were vitilaZed 10y the great principe
IF his time. Therefore say the significance OF
ibis days memories ontranks that OF all otner =
national festivals. inasmuch as it is the magnet
hat .nds its current thrilling through them all.
Great and momentous We're the issues of that
first Fourth of July. You are familiar with the
history of the country You know how the !
Puritans in New England. the Dutch in New
York the Catholics in Maryland, and the
Huguenots in South Carolina, felt the fires OF
persecution and were welded to religious liberty.
You know how our sturdy fOrefathers ngnted
the lamp of civil liberty in the town meeting ana
in the Colonial Legislature. Every school BOY mas
learned the series of oppressive measures 1orceo
upon the Colonists until their forsearance couio
last no longer There was the Stamp Act,
against which the Colonists rebelleo ana WHICH
was repealed after a year. Then came the duty
Oh glass and tea and various other articles, ana
finally one act OF oppression succeeded another
in such quick succession that the COlOniSts were
forced to rise up in their power and throw Off
the woke You have heard of the Boston Tea.
Party. When the men were returning from the
party they passed Admiral Montague's house.
We'll boys he said. you have had fine night
for your Indian caper Never mind. you'll have
to pay the fiddler yet for this" ION, never NINA
SQUIRE" said one of them, Just step out here
and we'll settle the bill in two minutes" Inc
sOuire didn t step out Soon the shot was fired |
that was heard around the world. the events at
Lexington and Bunker Hill had brought things
to crisis The chrysalis of liberty was last
bursting from its encasement. Yet the patriots
still wavered between loyalty to george Ill,
and complete emancipation from the crown
The aspirations for liberty were fast crystalh-
ling The needle of the compass pointed TO the
city of Brotherly Love. and singled out the MS
toric spot of Independence Hall. Within It's
walls gathered the choicest sons of the coming
republic. They waited in silence that was al
most fear till the paraclete of liberty should plo
them speak. Thomas Jefferson had drawn up
the Declaration of Independence and now came
the solemn moment when all assembled should
attach their names. Hitherto the proceedings
were marked by a seriousness that was almost
grave Once the resolution taken. the die was
cast and solemn faces became almost playful.
! John Hancock affixed his name in bold and
flowing characters There" says he, John
Bull can read that without spectacles.' 'Well
gentlemen remarked Franklin. 1--WE must all
hang together now, or we are likely TO hang
senarately." Your hand trembles," said by
stander to Stephen Hopkins" True" answered
the patriot. but my heart does not" Charies
Carroll was very rich. and when he signed
member exclaimed: There go millions to the
cause but there are so many Carols, King
George will not know which one it is Where
upon, Carroll added Carrolltown. saying there
could be no mistake about that. Without,
all WAS expectancy 1t was two O'Clock
in the afternoon when decision was announced
Congress
pendence Hall. Thousands of anxious citizens
had gathered in the streets of Philadelphia. for
it was known that the decision was to be made
/, ON that day. From the hour when Congress
convened in the morning. the old bellman had
, been in the steeple. He had placed boy at the
, door below. to give him notice when the an
nouncement should be made. AS hour sue
= ceedeG hour the gray-beard shook his head anC
said. they will never do it. they will never &c
, it," Suddenly IA loud shout came up from below
and there stood the blue eyed boy, clapping hi:
! hands and shouting Ring! Rng!' Graspine
the iron tongue of the old bell, backward ant
o forward he hurled it hundred times its lout
9 voice proclaiming. Liberty throughout all tht
y, land unto all the inhabitants thereof The ex
: cited multitude in the streets responded VIII
= loud acclamatiOns and with cannOn-pealS bon
- fires. illuminations the patriots held gloriou
:, carnival in the quiet city of William Penn.
{ behold then the birth of American Libert.
- and Independence Hitherto like Romulus ant
q Remus the rights of the people had been cas-
y into the uncertain fortunes of the Tiber. Nov
it was being nursed by new Faustulus am
. soon should emerge from thralldom. Yet thl
- hardy offspring of mighty souls. American lnde
:, pendence must still be baptized in fire and b!ood
All the history Of those succeeding years sha
tl,n lie of
- world, Written in blood. tried by fire, Liberty
:, name shall ever rest upon the pages of huma
history. 1t was not American Independence onl
that was gained by the revolution. it was tn
political liberty of the human family througho!y
q the world. These are few thoughts that com
;" to ones mind on this occasion. We are tn
y heirs of noble ancestors. Our heritage
'o America. What more could we ask?''
- Here the speaker read Bishop Berkeley's cd
:, to America ending with the stanza
ed westward the course of empire takes its way
.h The four first acts already past.
A fifth shall close the drama with the day
" Times noblest offspring is its last
ha America is the last and noblest of nations.
ed At the conclusion of the speakers addres
he the Warden introduced Master Sanford Billing
we soloist of Gethsemane church. Minneapol
On Master Billings is a bright handsome lad
nd twelve who made his bow to the audience wi
20. the grace of a Chesterfield. Master Billings
once won the hearts of his audience. vi
Del clapped their hands vigorously for an encol
av. The Warden kept the "bOys' in suspense for
bv few minutes, then gravely announced, Mast
ch Billings" which brought forth another round
H. applause Still the boys were not satisfied, a.
he Master Billings sang two other pieces of hume
ing Gus nature, THE Cat Came Back" and aft
Nine" which was sung and acted most adm
ably. Master Billings, and his sister who play
the accompaniment on the organ, nave
ion thanks of all for the part they took in maxi
1ti- our holiday such an enjoyable one.
We The chapel program ended. we spent the
ers mander of the day in our cells the usual hold
civ privilege of writing an extra letter being grant
of to all who wished to write to friends or relativ
lch
mn Population 4s9.
tie Prisoners discharged during the week. 4.
the
,o+ Grade standing. First Grade 1884. SecO