The Grenada sentinel., 1899-07-15
TIE FOURTH OF JULY.
toms and Celebrations Of
Our FOrefathers.

In the rapid and stirring progress OF
affairs in the years just past there has
often seemed to be some danger that
our good old national holiday, the
Fourth Of July, might be in measure
forgotten, and forced to take back
seat.
1t has been good deal left to the
small boy, with his toy drums and his
fireeraekecs, to do the celebrating.
He has attended to the matter to the
best of his limited ability, and accord
ing to the extent of his financial re-
sources. He has kept up all through
the night of the third of July, year after
year.
All honor to the small boy, with his
unbounded patriotism, and his flag
raisings, and his procession of "hor-
ribles," and his ceaseless shouting and
cheering-and we will give him what
pennies we can afford, and keep as far
out of his track as possible until he
gets through with his celebrating.
But the older people of this country
do not want to forget the Fourth OF
July. Once, not so long ago, either.
that was the day of all days to the peo-
pie of these United States. 1t was
talked about for weeks and months be-
fore it was due on the calendar to put
in an appearance. Everybody hoped It
would not be too hot, and that it would
not rain, and that there would be no
thunder showers to spoil the fireworks.
New dresses were made for the
Fourth. Hats and bonnets made their
first appearance before the public on
the Fourth. Children were early in
the year promised that if they would be
good they should go to the celebration
in the grove, or in the city, as the case
might be.
Marriages were solemnized on the
Fourth OF July. The bashful suitor
screwed his courage to the sticking
point, and, remembering what the day
represented to the American people,
walked boldly up to the object OF his
alteration, and, sweltering beneath the
unwonted pressure Of his new tight
boots, and his broadcloth suit, and his
high collar, with the mercury at a hun
dred in the shade, and his blood all in
his face, asked if he could have the
pleasure of her company to the ceIe-
bration over ut Pine Ridge, or Spruce
Hollow.
And if she said yes, he hired the best
top buggy in the land, and they went
to that celebration and ate clam chow
der, and some roast pig, and some ice
cream, and drank pink lemonade out CT
the same thick-bottomed tumbler. to
show that their two souls had but a
single thought, and that their two
hearts beat as one; and in the evening
they sat out in the grove and let the
mosquitoes nibble them. while they
looked at the fireworks, and held each
Others hands beneath the shelter of the
''long" shawl she had brought along as
protection from the dews of the even
Ing. And oil day the old flag was
checred, and patriotism walked abroad
upon the land in red, white and blue,
and spoke in tones thick with gun
powder, and resonant with the clangor
of church bells.
Let us have once more some ct those
good old-fashioned celebrations. We are
wont to laugh at the spread-eagle style
of oratory which once prevailed on
these Fourth Of July occasions. But We
cannot have too much display OF ell
thusiasm where our country Is con-
cerncd. 1t is the best country In the
world and we know It; and all the rest
OF creation knows 1t. too.
God bless America! Even us He has
blessed 1t for q hundred years or more!
Prosper our south, With its new hopes
and tndustries--prosper our wsst az II
pushes its way to the Pacific slopes
prosper our east and north, and make
Of us people who shall take deep into
our hearts the truth TINT never in all
Gods fair universe can there be an
other country 30 beautiful, and so dear
to us as this--our own native land
Knte Thora. in N. Y. Weekly,