Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-05
ln,Iepcndienre Day, 1897.

II speaks highly for the orderly DISPOSE
ton OF the American people that they WILL
inCly postpone the observance Of their
great national holidays until the next day
when they fall on Sunday. 1t indicates n
tendency to respect the Iuiatude of the
Sabbath and to follow the dictates of a
universal custom The patriotism exhio-
tied today in lieu of the exact anniversary,
il rome the less ardent or keen for express
sion than though history were not beiTg
temporarily set aside. The 121st anniver-
sary of the birth of the nation is being
celebrated in every section. 1t is recoS-
rized the chief natioral event of the
year and the people of the republic founded
upon the declaration of independence from
English rule are as earnest now in their
commemoration as they were a century
ago.
Independence Day is more tip.n mere
holiday 1t would remain such even if the
noisy features of the occasion were elm
mated. the speeches silenced and the pa
triotc music hushed. Nothing. in fact,
can destroy the effect of the act consum-
mated one hundred and tweEty-one years
ago. That effect would survive even the
destruction of the republic if the fate of
rations should ever bring about that now
appare 1tiy impossible result. Whatever may
happen in the future. the founding of the
United States of America and its existence
during scores of years as a civilized pro-
gressive. intelligent community will have
stamped the world with its indelibe i'm
press for the perpetual good AMI glory of
mankind
But no reason exists today to anticipate
even in the least the failure of the repuo-
lie Its Institutions rir.c as
ever 1t has purged itself of a sreat evil
and has arisen stronger than before from
the supreme trial. Its people are content
win their condition. Its construction is
proved sound al frequent periods, well CAL
culatcd 10 test the minds and hearts of the
public. Its resources are still but partly
developed and its materia. future is bright
with limitless possibilities. It's relations
with the rest of the world are peaceful and
it maintains itself In the family Of nations
with pride and conscious of its rectitude.
l. is about to enlarge its domain IN the in
terests of its safety and its comm srcial
well-being. but in no spirit of conquest or
domination over the weak.
Under these conditions the celebration of
the day by the citizens becomes the more
impressive each recurring year. The sober
under-current of thought Incidental to the
day bespeaks an observation-disclosures foun-
dation and a patriotism that will always
respond to the least suggestion of national
need. There has yet been no test applied
that has not brought forth a response that
show: the value of these annual lessons in
what the republic Is and means.
The capital city of m" nation does it's
part today without ostentation but sin
cerely. Its citizens relax from the cares of
their duties and celebrate in their own
ways. while organizations founded Upon
ps.triotic Inspirations contribute the na-
tional spirit with speech ana .;org. Wash
irgton will never fail in it's duty to the
nation. for it is. above all other cities in
the land. typical of the republic and It's
il situations.