The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-07-01
HGW 70 CELEBRATE,
Julia Ward Howe Suggests Pro,
sramme for the Fourth.

Julia Ward Howe Suggests Pro-
sramme for the Fourth.
The question will be, How to make
the Fourth Of July true festival, q
National solemnity, without forgetting
the claims of the young to be amused,
as well as to be instructed. In the
first place, I should think that the day
might ftly be made one of reunion.
by different clubs and associations of
culture and philanthropy. Those
whose thoughts go deep enough to
understand the true conditions of
human freedom, might meet and COM
pare their studies and experiences.
Very ftly, after such a meeting, each
individual OF them might seek group,
to whose members he might present
popular statement Of the philosophy
of freedom. Mothers, who should be
the true guardians of peace, might
we'll come together to study all that
promotes its maintenance. In gath
erings of older children, prize essays
might be presented and discussed. 1
can imagine civic banquets, OF q serious
and stately character, in which men
and women might sit together aud
pledge each other in the exhilaration
of friendship and good feeling.
I would have professions, but 1
would have them less military in char
acter and more pacific in suggestion.
Congregations of the various religious
confessions might walk in order,
headed by their ministers, who should
all exchange the right hand of fellow
ship with each other. i would have
no monster concerts, which cannot be
fully enjoyed, but divers assemblages,
at which music of the highest order
should be presented. Letters of greet
ing should be exchanged between
cities and States, and the device OF the
day should be ''In the Name of the
Republic. The history of the war
which eliminated in our National in
dependence should be amply illus.
trated by graphic lectures, and pos
sibly by living pictures.
How would the following programme
answer9
On the evening of the Sd of July
quiet gatherings in halls and churches,
in which the true love of country
should be explained and illustrated.
How many a name, half or wholly for
gotten, would then be recalled from
oblivion, and with it the labor and
sacrifice of some noble life, some ex-
ample precious for the community!
The morning of the Fourth to be
ushered in by martial music and q
military display sufficient to recall
the services of the brave men who
gave our fathersliberty. Alto o'clock
orations in various public buildings,
the ablest speakers OF the Common
wealth doing their best to impart the
lesson of the day. From 12 to 4.30
in the afternoon I would have exer-
cises for the children of the public
schools, examination of Glasses in
American history, prizes given for es-
says on historical and patriotic sub
iects. Later, gathering in public
gardens and a tea, with fruit and
flowers, served for the children Of the
city. In the evening the singing OF
National anthems, tableaux vivants
and fireworks, and in some form q
pastoral benedlction.
To these exercises I would add the
signing of a pledge of good citizen.
ship. The pledge might be either
general or particular in its terms, but
the act of signing it should imply a
disinterested public service of some
sort, a participation in some work
usefni for the health, beauty or order
of the city, without other leward than
the badge or button which would rep
resent the agreement entered into. 1
would have the history of other re-
publics brought forward on this day,
and especially the historic struggles
of our own time. And I would if I
could compel the attendance of our
men and women of fashion upon lec-
lures in which the true inwardness OF
European society should be exposed
and the danger shown of the follles
and luxurious pomp which they de-
light in initiating and which, however
asthetically adorned and disguised,
are for. US lead in the pathway OF
moral and intellectual deterioration.
Julia Ward Howe.