The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-07-04
THE DAY WE CELEBRATE.

THE DAY WE CELEBRATE.
The Glorious Fourth Of July-the an
adversary OF the birth of the nation--i'
once again to be celebrated throughout
the states of the Union, and in AstoriE
the patriotism Of all good citizens vii
boil over in an effort to emphasize the
day in manner not to be forgotten by
old or young. Astorians will not only
shout themselves hoarse in honor OF the
Independence day, rerite to the young
the deeds OF daring and bravery Of their
forefathers, read the Constitution, sing
'Hed, White, and Blue live again in
imagination through the stirring scenes
Of the Boston tea party, the long and
ardnous winters OF the Revolution and
the difficulties and hardships attendant
upon the building OF the young .Repub-
lie; but will send up greater hurrah
anda mightier chorus in comemoration
OF her own independence and release
from the shackles which have heretofore
boT nd her trade and commerce with an
ir n hand and prevented the growth of
tie finest port on the North Parife
C,est.
tne hundred and twenty one years
ago today handful Of our ancestors,
representing the little struggling colony
from the mother county, disheartened
and driven TO extremities by the unjust
taxations imposed by that mother gov
ernment, made bold stand for liberty
and announced their intention of estab-
fishing an independent government for
an independent people. They rang the
bell of freedom in the old town hall OF
Philadelphia. drew up the Constitution
and declaration OF rights of the people OF
the new republic that document, which,
with few changes. stands today the bull
wark of safety and dearest possession of
a nation of 73. 10000 OF people. Through
all the storms and trials of foreign wars
and internal dissepsions it has remained,
ike the Rock OF Ages, immovable and
solid, the basis of the greatest super
structure ever erected by human hands
through all the ages. For these prin-
ciples our grsndfathers and fathers
fought, bed and died: for these sacred
rights the stars and stripes-the noblest
of all banners-was created, bathed in
blood, pierced with bullets and still tri-
umphantly floats from every flagstaff in
the land. and upon every sea and in
every nation OF the globe. To the boz
and girls, young men and maidens. we
would say on this great day study the
principles Of liberty and freedom--those
great principles which make this truly
the land OF the brave and the home of
the free. where people can live a little
nearer to the divine standard than in
any other country, where men and
women can think, act and work as they
please, so long as they do not trespass
upon the rights of others; where state
and church are independent, and where
the brosdest enlightenment exists
amongst the masses, and the greatest ad- !
the world has ever seen has
been made in inventions, the arts and |
sciences. Shout for the land OF the free
today as you never have before; shout for 4
the great achievements male possible |
by the bravery OF your forefathers; sing
paeans in remembrance OF the great |
leeds Of the founders of the nation and |
-ender devout praise that you are an
American.
Astorians. you have for thirty years,
prayed and wept for railroad;
Fou have been cut off from the rest Of the
world, the only town of its population
md wealth in the United States with
,ut railroad. Many times the coveted
,rize has been within your grasp only to
rumble into the ashes of bitter disap-
continent. Today your fondest dreams
ire realized. With all the natural re-
sources to upbuild the greatest port and
shipping center on the North Pacific
Coast, yet nothing could be done because
hips and cars could not be brought TO-
gether at the lowest possible cost of tans
'ortation necessary to meet the trade
Of the age. Now all is hap
lily changed. The railroad is all but
ompleted. A few short months will see
he iron horse forcing his way into AS
oris from across the continent, and the
hips OF the world can load at tidewater
be wheat OF Oregon and Washington;
he products Of the Orient can be trans
erred here from the Ocean liners at the
minimum OF expense to the railroad that
an transport them, at the lowest pos
ible cost, to all of the markets of the
and; an outlet is furnished that will
lake profitable the development of your
amber, coal and fisheries, and with
hese auxiliaries capital will find it
rohtable to establish mills and factories
DR. the manufacture Of lumber. -four,