The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-07-10

designed that float.
The G.. A. r. were out in usual force and
were led by j. j. Mackey. They were ac-
companied by fife and drum corps. The
first division was closed by the Foresters,
who followed the G. A. r.
The Chesaning band, in white duck coats
and straw hats, headed the second division
and Immediately preceded the Modern
Woodmen, fourteen of whom were in line
in full uniform. Their uniform was the
most strikingly picturesque of all those in
the parade with their decorated hats, brown
blouses and leggins.
The Maccabees, with their own band at
their head, appeared next and in full force
as they had the largest number In the
parade, winning first prize on their num-
bers. The band, In full uniform, made a
very attractive appearance.
Owoss0 Lodge l. o. 0. F., led by the
Byron band, secured second prize for second
largest civic society on foot, and after them
In the procession came q wagon load Of
noisy Evening News boys, colonial band,
riding In wagon and attired In cooked
hats, knee breeches and long tailed coats,
and float exhibiting a colonial dame busily
at work with the spinning wheel. VIM.
Wishrop, the West Side tailor, had the next
place In the procession and was working
away In regulation style.
George Haskelps marine Band" and
sorrowful bicyclist with homemade bike,
were among the last, but by no means least
of the attractions of the march.
AT THE Speakers STAND.
Chas. w. Parker, as president of the day,
arose to make brief announcement and to
turn over the meeting to Supt j. w. Sim
mons who acted as chairman. Prayer was
offered by Rev. e. w. Hunt, after which
quartet led by c. G. Duff sang 1.-THE Star
Spangled Banner" Supt. Simmons was to
read the Declaration of Independence, ac-
cording to program, but announced that
owing to the delay in beginning the eyer-
cises this feature would be omitted. He
introduced Mayor Curry, who spoke earn
estly and eloquently, welcoming the visitors
to Owosso to help in celebrating again the
day which we all delight to honor but which
Owosso, as a city, has not celebrated for
number of years.
The speaker of the day, Hon. Geo. A.
Farr. one of the regents of the University
of Michigan, was then Introduced. His ad-
dress showed careful preparation and was
earnest and patriotic. He said that though
it was often taken to be a chance to make
an address upon the questions of the day,
he did not wish to use the Fourth of July
in that way. He believed that the. day
would he more proftably spent in recalling
the memories of what our fathers have done
to make this country what it is. BY think
ing of great examples we ourselves are
made greater, and so it is well that we have
one day on which we can talk of our coun-
try without mentioning tariff, currency, or
the other problems now before us as peo-
pie. He was sorry that the declaration of
independence had not been read and be-
lieved every loyal American should read 1t
at least once every year. 1t was the first
bold and open declaration of principles
which had been dreamed of by philosophers
for ages. The time when 1t was set forth
to the world did not seem propitious. 1t
was not smooth or clear road which lay
before them. Far from it. On the other
hand the men who framed that declaration
risked their honor, their possessions, their
very lives when they did the deed. But
though the chances were so great against
success, right and the plan of God were
with our side. Today the land Is freed
from oppression but there is still work to be
done. There are still great questions 10 be
solved. No people can prosper by resting
contentedly on what their fathers have done.
Every onward step nation takes opens up
greater responsibilities before it. We must
go onward. Rest is only another word for
death. Foreign governments long regarded
the government as loose and liable to crum-
BILE away at any shock but over thirty years
ago a four years. strife was ended which
cemented the union together forever. We
are looked to by other peoples to prove the
possibilities Of republics which have had
such checkered careers in ages past. AT
our very feet comes the cry from blood
stained Cuba, "How long, oh mother of re-
publics, how long?" The fall of the repub-
lie of Rome was the result of the ignorance
of the people who allowed themselves to be
led by demagogues. We should learn from
the experiences of others in ages past. We
should remember that lawlessness can but
increase lawlessness. The country should
be above party. The speaker spoke elo-
quently Of our school system from the low.
est grade in the smallest country school to
the highest work in the university. Educa.
tion Is to be the safeguard of the state and
he warned the people to ever frown dowr
any attempts to cripple its usefulness. :.
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