Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-04
FOURTH OF JULY.

OF old, throughout , the length and
breadth of this land Independence-Day
was celebrated by public meetings MILL
tary parades, target-shootings. barbe-
cues. 'fsh-fries." ETC.. and above ALL by
much pervervid speech-making. Those
occasions. we suppose, gave birth TO the
term "spread-eagle oratory"
The custom was for the orators Of the
day" to dwell upon the outrages which
George III. and his associates had heap
ed upon the Colonies; to picture the
patriot fathers as first protesting against
this tyranny, and then appealing to arms;
20 eulogize the services Of Washington,
Jefferson, Henry, and other leaders; to
refer in glowing terms to our victories
at Saratoga and Yorktown, and to have
perorations in which the future Of these
United States was exhibited in rain
bow colors.
Times have altered. but the Fourth
or when that day falls on Sunday, the
6th-is as much observed a holi-
day as ever before; but the manner Of
observance has changed.
Only Tammany Hall and a few other
organizations now arrange for Fourth
of July oratlons The Revolution has
faded into the distance and the Declara-
ton of Independence is not of so much
present Importance as party platforms,
hut still we think 1.-THE country is safe"
Patriotism Is by no means extinct
though 1t doesn't exercise itself quite as
much as II should. Our country would
not want for soldiers in time OF war
but self-sacriflce in the interest of the
public is under-cultvated nowadays.
But the Fourth is now so generally de-
voted to excursions, picncs, ball games,
fireworks, etc, we cannot hope to fix
public attention upon the historical les
SONS of the day. Nor Is that so neces-
sary as formerly. Newspapers and pub
tic and private schools there are now
almost without number, and these give
10 our children information that used
20 BE circulated from the rostrum
chiefly. IL the youth OF the present day
40 not know quite as much as the you'll
Of a generation ago did about jefferson
ths Declaration of independence, th'
Continental Congress, etc, we must maxi
allowances for the fact that the pages
Of our countrys history have increase,
in number vastly and 1t is but natura
that the great events Sf which Their
are yet so many living witnesses shou
be most attractive to young students
history, But let them be assured tina
the Declaration of Independence was
great epoch In the worlds history-a
act OF momentous consequence. Indeed
jefferson and his colleagues buiide
better and bigger than they knew.
They sought the independence of thre
millions @. people. They entered upo
n war. the consequences OF which wer
dangerous and the results doubtful Thei
most hopeful expectations could nc
II have pictured country such as we no
haye-independent, one OF the creates
powers Of the earth. VASTLY Increased
terrltory, and about twenty-five times
populous as when the Deelaratio
was adopted.
Our success has been beyond the dreal
Of the most sanguine of the patri'
fathers. ana though We are to-day |
no means as prosperous or as happy
We could wish to be, yet there are re
Americans who would exchange res
depce and citizenship here for residen'
and citizenship In any other land und
the sun. Besides. II ls5tosb be expect'
that the business clouds that darke
these our Fourth OF July skies W
soon pass away. II cannot be that v
are doomed to destruction at the han'
o. set OF pettifoggIpg pretectioni
DoIiticianh ~be eauntry won for us