The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1897-07-02
ORR NATInN,s NATAL nay.

Out Of the far past, form the days
when our Teutonic forefathers worship
ed in the dim forests and offered sac
rifices to the god of battles, came the
impulses that created Cromwell and
Washington, the French Revolution
and the Fourth of July. The yearning
for liberty, growing through all the
ages, moistened by the crimson dew of
many a hard-fought field, became hardy
and strong on those lands where it was
planted by unsung heroes. 1t lowered
on this continent, and to US, the heirs
Of all the ages. it has yielded it's fruit
Standing upon the apex of history and
experience, we look back over the path
tFodden by Freedom, and hold her all
the dearer for the brambles that have
rent her garments, the flints that have
cut her feet, the anguish that has bow
ed her to the dust through many a
dark and dismal period.
The Fourth of July is an anniversary
the like OF which is celebrated nowhere
else in the world, for it commentaries
death as we'll as life; it is monument
of old epochs, as well as a milestone
along the way to the highest form Of
liberty under law; it is a dream become
reality, a vision made a substance.
Three hundred years is a space of
time scarcely sufficient for the build
ing of European cathedral, OF the
ripening of a European dynasty, yet in
three centuries this continent has at
tanned a marvellous destiny, and our
nation, planted in the virgin wilderness,
has become the most powerful upon
the earth, and grand heights rise be-
fore it in the glad perspective of the
future. Truly, like Israel of old, we
can say with humility and reverence
that We are "the chosen of God"
In the throes of that struggle which
gave to our country its independence
of kingly rule, in that war for the
rights Of the sailor which has no paral-
lei in the story of the worlds wars, in
the last Titanic contest where brother
confronted brother in deadly conflict,
the increasing significance of the
Fourth of July was appreciated by
each succeeding generation. To-day
we are privileged to witness a revival
of patriotism; and love of country and
the maintenance of its dignity are the
absorbing topics of thought and con-
geFsatioR. At this time, above all 9th
ers, the solemn conviction is borne in
every loyal heart that this continent
is destined for freedom, and that it is
the people of the United States who
shall hold liberty in trust for those
weak peoples of the western world who
are striving to attain it.
On the Fourth of July 81 years ago
two of the words greatest battles we're
fought, and the reeking affairs of pat
riOtism at Gettysburg and Vicksburg
sent up their smoke to the plying
heavens. To-day those men who
marched with Meade and Grant and
they who fought with Lee and Pember-
ton sit side by side in the sunlight of 4
peace, loving their country with pure
patriotism and jealous Of her honor.
The crash Of cannon and the rattle
Of mimic musketry are fitting accom- |
psniment for this day, for the rspub-
lie was born in storm and stress. The
flare Of guns was its natal torch, and
its cradle was rocked to the roar of ar /
tilleFy. That our children may never
forget that this was so, aud that they
may prize the calm Of peace We initiate.
on this day, the tumult Of war. On /
this day, too, we fling forth the flag. |
and pointing to its stars We tell our t
sons and daughters the stories of how
the emblems Of the states were held in !
the field Of blue that typiaes com
mon country. We point to the stripes
and relate TO them the tale of how
those darker stripes Of seouFging Of a I
bonded people we're blotted out BY