The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-07-05
INDEPENDENCE
DAY In ASTORIA.
Patriotism Still Rules 10 the Hearts
OF the People Of the
Land.
FLAGS. BUNTING. FIREWORKS
City 10 Holiday Attire coautry coasiaS ID
ToNa in Fall Force Some A,tsad
risuirs, aud Others STAY
al Home.
FLAGS. BUNTING, FIREWORKS

Contrary 20 rule, but In accordance
with MIR. Growers predictions. the
Fourth dawned with clear skies, The
day was all that could be desired by
anyone Early In the morning the
small boy and the arecracker awakened
the more sleepy elders,
The celebration OF the day was car
ried out according to previously ar
ranged program. and during the morn.
ing the Rev. Robert Lidden delivered
an oratlon. which impressed upon the
minds OF the rising generation the
meaning OF the word Independence, "
and gave reason for fring the festive
cracker. sheriff Hare read the pecin-
ration OF Independence. and the Astoria
Amateur Band rendered Appropriate
music during the day Before the close
Of the morning exercises Mrs. John L.
Gratke rccited poem. "Our Country"
composed by herself
OUR COUNTRY.
my Mrs, j. T., Gratkc)
Der all our nations mighty realm
The flags and banners float on high.
From North TO South. from East 10
West.
Resounds our Freedoms Joyous cry,
With patriotic love divine
Is every loyal heart now nred.
Who hears the Declaration read
And does not feel his soul inspired?
Those noble thoughts In words so grand
WIN live as long as Liberty
With flaming torch doth light the world
And prove our glorious nation frce
We scarcely realize II now,
Who read the declaration DER.
How hard those trials II relates
How cruel the pain our fathers bore.
How can we. when today we view
This mighty nation OF the free!
We could not feel as they felt then.
For as they were We would not be.
No tyrant king doth rule our land;
No letters bind that we must break;
No foreign power from our lives
Can happiness or freedom take.
Secure and strong against the world"
We say with proudly beamlng eye.
And with a loud, triumphant cheer.
We wave the stars and Stripes on high.
And yet there is a tyrant. bold,
And cruel as old King George has been
Is patriotism but a word?
When in our midst he reigns unseen?
Unseen but felt! Why rise We not
And fling its cursed yoke aside!
Fen az our fathers spurned their king,
And for our freedom fought and died.
Throw of the yoke OF selhshness!
Indifference TO the public veal
Stalks like demon through the land
Corruption following at his heel!
Condemn me not. Oh. dearest friends,
For having else than praise today;
To close the eyes, or veil the truth.
Doth mark the hypocrite alway.
1t proves no lack Of patriot love
To speak Of dangers that behest,
To boast OF what we are not sure
Can show our vanity at best.
Think ye our loved land secure,
Corruption eating at It's core?
II 80 ye think, turn historys page
And read again OF days Of yore.
And there yen find the foremost cause
That made each mighty nation fall,
Corrptlon was, and sehshness-
Indifference to the good OF all!
In seventeen hundred and seyenty-six,
When all this land with Ills was rife,
For mutual aid men pledged their all,
Fortune and Sacred honor and Life"
Their acts today we celebrate.
Let's emulate as well as praise,
Review Of all their noble deeds
Doth in our souls their purpose raise!
50 in our hearts, this happy Fourth,
Let's pledge our lives and fortunes too,
TO lend no aid to aught that's wrong,
And strive for all that's good and true
The welfare Of our land and homes