The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-06-01
FOR THE FOURTH OF July.
MEETING CALLED TO DISCCSS
QUESTION OF CELEBRATING.
Citisens Ut Large Invited - Attend
Uncertainty ~ to the Return
Of the Woshtagioa Volunteers
Has Cha.xeA Local sttuaaion.

TO have Fourth ot July celebration. and
such a celebration she has never naa
before OF the general committee wnsSh
had charge OF the celebration last year
Mayor Humes Was chairman and H. A.
Chadwick secretary With the sanction
Of the chairman Secretary Chadwick has
called a meeting TO he heid AT O'Clock
this afternoon IN the rooms Of the Iaafn-
Der CT Commerce for full and free dis
e9sslon. FIRST as TO whether any eeleora
ton on the Fourth is advisable. and II
that question shall De decided Affirmative
~ then as 10 the ways and means OK
making the celebration a success.
Fer time il seemed likely that there
would be no great public demonstration
in Seattle this year on the Fourth o. July
Not that there has been any diYnsnution OF
the spirit which has made former celehra-
tons OF that great anniversary success
Far from IL But a movement has been
On fost to give a great reception 10 the
Washington regiment on its return from
the Philippines. and Tacoma has made
oyertures Tn the effect that IL Seattle
would forego any demonstration on the
Fourth and join with her in celebrating
that day. she would In turn yield all
Gains 10 having the troops or any por-
ton Of them landed in Tacoma. and would
join Seattle in giving the returning voiun-
teers rouSing reception
As events have turned out. however.
there is much uncertainty now attaching
10 the return OF the First Washington
regiment. Nobody has any idea what pro-
portion OF the regiment may re enlist and
remain in the Philippines Even IL the
whole regiment should return. II may
come back by way OF San Francisco, and
the members OF the different companies
may come struggling in at various times
and by various routes.
One thing is certain: No matter at
what time or by what route the Washing
ton boys reach Seattle. they will be ac-
corded a hearty welcome here. But the
uncertainty as TO their return makes II
impracticable 10 plan and carry out such
a reception as had at first been thought Of
With regard TO the meeting called for
this afternoon. Mr.. Chadwick said last
night:
1T seems TO me that every considera-
ton makes il expedieut for us 10 begin
IN some way 10 plan for a celebration Of
the national birthday. The uncertainty
Washington troops renders such a recep
ton as some OF US had hoped for entirely
cur Q: the question. We do not yet know
and may nor know for some time TO come.
just how many OF the regiment will re-
turn this year. Neither do we know at
what time nor by what route those who
whole city stands ready. as one man, to
give the returning soldiers an appropriate
welcome, yet the considerations just re-
cited make IL impossible for us 10 proceed
with any degree of intelligent foresight.
such would be necessary to organize
and carry out reception on the scale We
had at first hoped for.
Now il was only in view Of such a
reception that any thought whatever has
hsen entertained of abandoning our reg.
uIar annual celebration of the Fourth OF
July, Il celebration which may be permit
ted 20 say as one who has stood close TO the
actual carrying out OF the plans for two
years, has done very much not only to
foster the sentiment of patriotism among
our people. young and old, but which has
been of large civic and commercial value
10 the city by bringing into it thousands
of people on these great OCCASIONS. These
people have not only spen. their money
here generously. but they have. By virtue
of their coming here naturally looked
more and more 10 Seattle rs :he repra-
sentative city OF the whole state.
LAS TO the practicahility Of our hold
ing a celebration this yea. on the Fourth
Of July, there can hardly be two opinions
To begin with. We have a cash balance
of some $34i remaining IN the treasury
from last year. In addition 10 that We
have a large quantity OF material fer the
only expense attendant upon arranging
these would be the cost OF putting them In
place. Included in this material is some
, $500 worth of gas pipe.
But even IL we had to start from the
. very ground there is no doubt whatever
that ali the money necessary could be
; interests Of the city more prosperous
Never was there a more aggressive public
shirt in Seattle than there Is today
Never was there spirit OF greater har~
'nony and unison Never was the spirit
of patriotism wider awake. The recent
splendid celebration OF Memorial day
shows how the people feel. The Fourth
of July will only afford another oppor r.
tunisy Of calling out this same sentiment
Within the las; few days have had per.
sonal assurances from representative bust
ness men Of the city that they stand ready
Ia donate al least as literally as they
have done in former years towards the
expenses Of such celebration as would
, be alike crsiitabie 10 the city and enter.
tanning 20 her visitors and citizens.
New, there - Just this about the meet
!i.g called for tomorrow. Thursday, after
noon II the citizens will turn out heart
fly 10 this meeting. IL viii mean much in
the way ~ success. Heretofore the work
of organization has fallen largely upon a
Aaw men. These men do not object at all
10 the burden of work imposed on them
] viii htsuf remuneration. but they Go not
feel at liberty 10 push themselves forward
as the promoters Of any enterprise in
y hic.1 the citizens al large are interested
snd should take part. Let every pro-
fass.onai and business man every pro.
Sres sive citizen who tesis an interest In
Fourth % July celebration be AZ the mee:-
ing this afternoon hope the rooms will
a1p . h..