The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-07-07
THE GLORIOUS FOURTH

Was duly and properly hon ored in Can
ton by our citizens turning out by thou.
sands to attend the dedication Of our
beautiful and spacious Nlmisilla Park,
and to listen to the various patriotic ad.
dresses. Mayor Rice presided and as
usual filled all requirements, introduc.
ing the proceedings with suitable re.
marks.
Josiah Hartzell, as president Of the
park commission, delivered the address
OF the occasion and Of course it was
carefully prepared and we'll delivered.
Mr.. Hartzell being scholarly gentle
man invariably comes prepared in ialr
shape. In his reference to the fourth OF
July, 1870, stating it was a momentous
occasions 122 years ago, he had the
magnamity to name Thomas Jefferson
as one of the men there. 1t would not
have been bad idea to have had the
Declaration read, but still, that not be-
ing done, we are glad the authors
name was mentioned. We thus remark,
for we have thought some of our
younger oratorical fellows we're sorry
there was such a document or that
J.fferson wrote it, seeing they do not
name him in their list Of celebrities.
Mr.. Hartzell, in his reference to Hon.
Bezaleel Wells donating only few lots
and not providing for pubic park in
laying out Canton, hardly did justice to
the founder OF Canton. 1t has been
claimed that Mr.. Wells was over.gener-
Gus, for besides for court house, church
and school lots, he donated a cemetery
lot on South Plum street, which is now
dsused and open. In addition Mr..
Wells must be credited with some sixty
lots donated towards building the brick
court house erected in 1915. In fact it
is doubtful if Mr.. Wells made any money
out of his Canton operation or speculs-
ton, however we call it. We only wish
to say word in vindication of Bezaleel
Wells. so that his memory in Canton
will be duly and properly respected at
least. Mr.. Wells, be it remembered,
too, was a member of the convention
that drafted the first constitution for
the state of Ohio in 1902. So it will be
seen he was a man Of some prominence,
and a public spirited citizen no doubt.
In his remarks as to the present war
Mr.. Hartzell referred to our previous
war conflicts commending all except that
with Mexico, as that was for the exten.
sion of slavery.
No doubt Mr.. Hartzell's early educa.
ton led him into this error and he has
continued to hug this mistake. The
resolution of Congress declaring war
against Mexico placed it properly,
upon the invasion of American
territory by an army Of Mexico. The
government of Mexico laid claim to the
state of Texas, which had become a
state of odr union by treaty after hav-
ing maintained her independence for
about ten years. The annexation, by
treaty, was completed under the ad.
previous to that which en-.
countered the war.
Good or holy wars is yet debateable
question. High authorities, yet ven-
Grated, have maintained that there was
never good war nor bad peace. And
that grand and great old Roman orator
and author, Cicero, SAYS the worst peace
is preferable to the justest war. He
may have specially referred to the civil
wars of Rome. In this, however, Doctor
Hartzell and Cicero differ, no doubt.