The Washington times., 1901-07-05
PATRIOTISM In A SUBURB.
Tak0ma Park Citizens Celebrate
the Glorious Fourth.
District Attorney Gould Rends the
Declaration of Endependence-W.
y. Andrews Tells of the Flags
Significance Song and Prayer.

y. Andrews Tells of the FInr,s
Significance Song and Prayer.
The anniversary Of the. signing of the
Declaration Of independence was cele-
hrated in an appropriate manner yester-
day by the residents of Takoma Park
and the immediate vicinity The exercises
/ were held in the Town Hall, under the
auspices of the Citizens Association OF
Takoma Park, and We're presided over by
J. B. Kinnear President of the organiza-
ton. The hal was tastefully decorated
with the national colors and several ma
tionaI airs were sung by a chorus, under
the direction of J. W. Dyre. The Star
Spangled Banner was also sung in
splendid voice and with feeling by Har-
~ Campbell.
The exercises were opened with prayer
by the Rev. c II. Remington. America
was then sung by a chorus, consisting of
the following: Mrs. AIooers, Mrs Long,
Mrs. Townsend. Mrs. Kinnear, Miss
| Davis, Miss Strong the Misses Dvre. and
Messrs. Shedd. Campbell, Kinnear. and
! the Rev John Van Ness, who also pro-
nouneed the benedietion at the close of
the exercises.
The Declaration of Independence was
read by District Attorney Ashley NJ.
| Gotlc in a very impressive manner. The
! feature of the exercises vas an Grafton
! delivered by ". E. Andrews, who spoke
| of the origin and the significance of the
/ flag Of the Union. The speaker treated
the subject from an historical standpoint.
and was eloquent in his praise of the les
son it taught to Americans OF all ages
and conditions
Mr.. Andrews said in part:
1T is fitting that we celebrate the ma
I NJ
Is one of the greatest epochs in human
affairs. Beyond it lies the history of the
Kingdoms, monarchies, empires and dy-
naSties of the Old World on this side of
ii lies the history of free Institutions the
marvellous developments of the last 125
years An intelligent appreciation OF our
present liberties involves knowledge of
/ the conditions out of which they have
been evolved during the preceding cen
turies.
AT first. despotisms. monarchies. and
aristocracies largely prevailed But they
were oppressive and unfavorebIe to the
Intellectual, social, and religious growth
OF the people. The Athenian State was
strongly democratic. Every citizen how
ever poor had a vote in the general as
Sembly, which possessed the power cf
general legislation. The people were COM
themselves Elections became scenes of
disorder. Popular clamor triumphed over
law. Liberty degenerated. The constitu-
tion of Solon gave way and the Republic
OF contention into the vortex of ruin.
The Roman Republic presented the
struggle Of democracy against artstocracy.
Time advanced the former to an equality
with the latter The union of the regal,
aristocratic and democratic clements in
trOdUced the golden period of the Roman
constitution. But officers schemed against
the rights Of the people. Laws became
too severe.
THE sword has filled the past with
ruins. Thus il viii ever be where the
Ffe hun ursfF
dom was destined to become a reality. 1t
seemed that all Europe had concentrated
its forces to crush out all republican tend
eucleS on American soil, yet the American
fathers pressed onward toward the light
Of freedom But what could a few mex
perienced men do in such crisis2 There
stood the proud empires of the East
England demanding tribute but denying
representation Around them and far in
advance Of them. dwelt the wild savages
of the forest. What could they dO2 Let
history answer, for fruits Of their deeds
are recorded upon every page of Aneri-
can history written since the old indie
pendence Bell rang out the first note Of
freedom.
Laying aside the old models, they went
behind the Governments and ruins of the
past and studied the philosophy of his
tory and government in the light of the
philosophy Of the human soul Thus they
pointed out the true cornerstone from
whiCn the whole field of true government
must be surveyed AT this crisis they
declared TO the world the grand doctrine
Of political equality Il moved before
them like pillar Of fire during the dark
and perilous night of the Revolution 1t
is one of the central ideas of our national
Constitution and is TO be perpetuated by
an Intelligent and wisely directed citizen
ship.
"Fo this end let US urge the youth as
well as the men and women OF this coun-
Try TO study the origin, history and mean
ing of our national flag Let patriotism
and loyalty actuate the minds and hearts
of all as we recount the brilliant Victories
of American statesmanship and valor dis
played under the banner of freedom.
THAT banner was born amidst the
clouds of the American Revolution and
ehristened by the blood of American pa
triots. II has been borne in triumph
through foreign and domestic strife and
ii waves today in response TO mans Cod
given rights to intellectual, civil. and re-
ligious liberty. Let the homes, the
schools. the churches. and the press
Of the country teach patriotism !
and loyalty TO the Constitution and the /
flag, until the youth Of the land are thor /
oughly imbued with the high privileges |
and sacred duties of citizenship.
In the hearts of Americans our flag !
should lead all the rest i moments re- /
fection upon the constellation of nation /
al enSiens Will flood the mind with won /
derfui suggestiveneSs. One reminds us /
of the sufferings of Siberian exiles under |
the rule of absolute monarchy. Another /
recalls the reign of terror, as the period I
of a nations transition from monarchy {
to representative government Another /
suggests the cruelties of the inauisition /
and the reign of a bloody Weyler in Gu /
ba- Another points to the checkered his I
tory of a long line of kings and queens (
who sought the enslayement OF the Amer /
can colonies. But our flag represents the /
highest realization of the hopes of the I
race for intellectual, civil, and religious !
liberty.
"Our flag was dedicated 10 the cause of /
freedom by the American Revolution. The
loyal citizenship of the country has al
ways borne 1t in triumph against foreign |
and domestic foes and today sustains il
in its proud position among the nations
of the world Then long may il wave
Ger the land Of the free and the home OF
the brave A"
The exercises closed with the singing
of the New Hail Columbia" by the
chorus.
ro crTzr.rr o1,1cY.,rere