The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-05

chorus of 800 voices, with its artistic rem
dition of the stirring alag of Liberty" 1t
was roundly encored, and when the last of
the applause had died away the orator Of
the day, D. Gilbert Dexter, was introduced.
In part, Mr.. Dexter said:
At no period of American history has our
nation needed to consider practically the full
meaning of a free and independent people so
much as to-day.
This is day of National pride to every true
American, be he to the manner born or born by
adoption. We should consider the full portent of
the times in which we live and endeavor to
meet the pressing exigencies that surround US.
There should be no pessimistic view of al
fairs, but broad, liberal and noble attitude,
which takes in all humanity with desire to
uplift and help-a patriotism unselfish with an
unbounded faith in God and devoted to the
amelioration of all mankind
Some one has said it is wrong to celebrate
this day made glorious in history while men,
women and children are in rags and poverty;
that the money should be used to help the
poor and needy rather than spend dollar in
concentrating the Nation birth. But say
let us do both-let us celebrate the grandest
American day in all the year and put our
hands in our pockets and help the worthy poor
besides. He who f0rgets or neglects his duty
to his country and that glorious flag isquite
likely to forget his duty TO his neighbor and his
God.
Abraham Lincoln once said during the Civil
War, "May we never forget to celebrate the
day of independence, July 4, 1776."
Inc three names standing nrSt In the annals
of 1875 are Washington, Adams and Jefferson,
names that every American delights to honor.
Adams and Jefferson, it will be remembered,
died on the same day, July 4, 1926. Adams
last words were, Thomas Jefferson still sur
wives" Jefferson's last words, "This is the
fourth day of July"
One trait of the writer of the Declaration of
Independence was his unostentatious bearing
before men. He hated ceremonies and titles
On his Inauguration day he dressed in plain
clothes, rode unattended down TO Congress-
dismounted, hitched his horse end went into
the chamber to read his fifteen minutes in
augural.
That message of liberty will ring down the
ages. II is a message that should be needed
and heralded to-day more than. ever. The
danger of class legislation has come. Monopoly
and the aristocracy OF wealth puts forth its
hand of power to grasp for greater gains, even
at the expense OF poverty and woe.
care not what battles were fought and won
In the ages Of the past, to contrast the spirit
of liberty then with that for which our fathers
declared and fought for to success. But do
care much for that spirit OF independence
which brought into being the great declaration
of freedom and q constitution which was writ
ten by American heroes and defended on many
battlefield. do care for that glorious flag
which was first unfurled by men who desired
to establish and maintain nation which
would represent the highest and best form of
government the world has ever known.
Over public and private buildings and along
the streets OF the City the flag OF freedom waves
in triumph. In the long procession "the stars