The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-07-04
THE DAY. WE cHLrna.ArE.

Today in all portions of this great country of ours, in the isles of the sea and in the far-off lands of the Orient there will be noise and excitement, the fanfaronade of music. and the explosion of fireworks. There will be speeches and songs and readings and recitations Wherever the American flag floats and wherever Americans are gathered togeth- CT the day we celebrate will be honored and toasted.
 And all for-what? Because on this day, one hundred and twenty-seven years ago. in the city founded by William Penn. the assembled Delegates of the American Colonies solemnly declared that These United Colonies are. and of right ought to be. free and independent States"
 It was a momentous occasion, and one which we of this day can hardly under stand. We find 1t hard to appreciate the courage and devotion by which those forefathers of ours were actuated. Few in numbers. little better than struggling settlements along one side of this mighty continent. poor in smoney, in arms and munitions of war. poor in almost every thing but the inborn love of liberty which had been solidified, nurtured and strength ened by their long struggle with savage enemies and with the wilderness into which they fought their way. it required a wonderful degree of courage for these colonists to bid defiance to one of the great nations of the world and strike out for themselves on an untried road.
 It is well that Americans celebrate this day. Not with licentious excesses and sinful Indulgence but as a people who bear in mind the greatest event our con- tinent ever witnessed. It was not only the birthday of a nation but was the na- tai day of Freedom. The struggle had al- ready begun. Lexington and Bunker Hiil and other places had already proven that lable spirit and courage which founds and maintains empires.
 The struggle had begun and the blood of patriots had been shed, but on this day which will ever be memorable in American history was born a new. a free and an independent government, which should become the wonder and admiration of all the world. the refuge and the home of the oppressed of all nations and a model for all peoples who have in them the longing for free government.
 It is not all sentiment, not altogether a mere following of custom that actuates the American people at each recurrence of the day. There are many who have no better or more worthy conception of the day than that it is a time for frolic and sensual indulgence and licentious extrav- agance. but these are not all. There are many who feel deep down in their hearts that the day means something deeper, holier and more significant than noisy celebrations. When the 7th day of June, 177e. Richard Henry Lee moved in Con- gress that these United Colonies are and of right ought to be free and indepen- dent States" he coined a phrase which that other great virginian. Thomas Jef- ferson, wove into his immortal Declara. ton which was read and solemnly adopt. ed on July 4 following.
 We can well imagine the solemnity which marked that proceeding. If-soms among them realized with fear and tremb. ling, the probable consequences of the step they were taking none should blame them. They knew the weakness of the colonies as they knew the strength of England. and they fully realized the per- ilous nature of the step they were talk ing. but. appealing to the supSeme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our in- tentions," they every one cast their votes for the Declaration and took the step which meant ruin on the one hand or freedom on the other.
 We ought to honor those men as we honor no other men for mere human deeds. The roll of their names should be sacred and their immortal Declaration should be solemnly and tremendously read wherever men and women assemble themselves together to celebrate the day. Those patriots planted the tree of free dom and We enjoy its fruits. and 1t is right and fitting that we hold them and their work in reverence and celebrate the occasion as the greatest of all occasions in the history of our country. In the words of Joseph Hopkinson:
 Let Independence be our boast,
 Ever mindful what 1t cost;
 Ever grateful for the prize,