The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1896-07-11

the credit of training the children. Miss
Nellie Boland represented the Goddess
of Liberty, and Miss Katie Powers took
the part of Montana. They looked
charming in tina above characters.
The large company Of girls were given
seats upon an immense floating pavilion,
covered with flags and bunting, and
drawn by six white horses. The march,
ing began, joined in by the uniformed
fire department, secret societies and citi-
zens. The usual line Of march was fol-
lowed, terminating at the ground near
the railroad station where speaking was
held.
President Jennings of the fire depart
ment opened the exercises by introduce
ing Miss Nellie Boland, who delivered
the immortal declaration in IL clear ac-
cent and a most c~ommendable style.
She was followed by the Hon. Jno. A.
Largent of Great Falls, the orator of the
day, who for half an hour held the large
audience s%pellbound.
He opened, speaking upon the hallow-
ed occasion which calls us together. He
said: "We are here to celebrate freedom
and indepcndencc-two of the grandest
words in the English language" He
then set out to pay a tribute to the stars
and stripes, whose broad folds fluttered
to the breeze, within full sight of every
one. His eloquent words, fifty and for
chilly spoken, sank deep into the hearts
of his audience. He said:
Ever since the 18th day of July, 1875,
each year as that day rolls around, we
have seen the American people swing out
from every arch, steeple and window the
flag of our nation; and we have seen on
every occasion emblazoned upon floating
banners, "Freedom and Independence of
1776." wonder how many there are
today who can imagine or realize what
this dear old flag has seen since 100
years ago, when it proclaimed to the peo-
pie of America their right to sovereignty.
1t has seen Is small and sparsely settled
colonies grow to be As large and popu-
lOus states; it has seen the population of
this republic increase from about three
millions to almost 20 millions; it has
seen the vast New England forests con
verified into thousands of mills and fact
cries; it has seen the boundless prairies
of the middle states transformed into
millions of productive farms and COM
Portable homes; it has seen these great
mountain states, where once roamed
sava2es and wild beasts. become the
greatest wealth producing section of our
Union; it has seen our country in the
dismal gloom of bloody war; it has seen
its people slain by the thousands; it has |
seen its rivers run red the blood of hero |
ic men; it has seen the rise and fall of
great political parties; it has seen its
people in the darkest hours Of famine
and panic; it has seen its patriots display
valor and bravery upon great battle
fields; it has seen revolution conquer and
rebellion subdued; it has seen the rise of
that heroic soldier, patriot and states
man, who was 'first in war, first in peace
and first in the hearts of his country
men," GEORGE WAsHrNeToN, - the
pure white shaft of whose intellect
pierced the old clouds of English op-
preston and monarchy, and bathed it.
self in the light of love and peace, which
made us the happicst people on Gods
green earth; it saw the colonial army
cut to pieces, struggling and suffering in
the bloody revolutions; it saw the father
of our country kneeling beneath its
folds, praying to the Great Redeemer
that we might enjoy that which We are
here today to celebrate; it saw rise from
among its humblest people, that great
emancipation and savior of our union.
II martyred Lincoln; and it still waves
today rs a symbol of all we are and all
We hope to be.
The speaker then dwelt upon pages of
history defining the enormous cost Of our
freedom. The blood that has been shed: |