The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-04
Elaborate Celebration of Inde-
pendence Day at Washington.
A Military Procession Witnessed
by a Large Crowd.
MUSIC AND ORATORY
Both Are Listened to on the
White House Grounds.
Secretary Moody and the French
Ambassador Make Addresses.

Joined with the citizens of the District
of Columbia in a general commemora-
tion OF Independence day. The features
We're a military procession in which all
rms of the regular service, army, navy
I'D marine corps. were represented. to-
sther with the National Guard of the
district and the high school cadets. ana
a public meeting in which Admiral
Dewey. Secretary of the Navy Moody
and NJ. Jusserand. the French ambas-
sador, participated. The parade was
witnessed by large crowds, and was re-
viewed by Gen. S. NJ. r. Young. the
grand marshal 1t started shortly after
o'clock frol-. the capitol and was dis
banded after passing the White House.
The public meeting Immediately fol-
lowed under the shade of the great
trees on the northeast lawn of the
White House. Admiral Dewey opened
the exercises by introducing Barry
Bulkley, of this city. VINO read the
Declaration of Independence. Secre-
tary Moody then made an address In
behalf of the national government. He
extended a cordial welcome to the
French ambassador and reminded his
hearers that without the co-operatiof,
of the French fleet under De Grassc
the victory over CORVALLIS at York
town, which virtually determined the
Independence of the colonies, woulA
never have been won. Briefly the sec
retary dwelt upon the circumstances
OF our history which appeal to our
pride as a people, but in this connec-
ton he said it is sometimes wise to
preach as well as to give praise If W.
would keep what we have won. if we
would maintain and strengthen our po-
sltion among the nations he said We
snould purify the sources of nationa,
lie and guard well the Qualities 11nou
which our continued strength as a ma.
tion depend. In a government in which
ali the people equally participate uni
yersal Intelligence is demanded; with
- II government BY the people must
- Failure.
Secretary Moody spoke of the equal.
ny OF an men before the law, and held
that the laws which are enforced
equally for and against All sbot1ld -
respected by all The remedy for an,
wrong should be sought under the la "
ana IN the courts, which represent the
majesty Of the peoples Will ANY de-
psart s,l uIe re from this sound principle in
any part of the land is a contempt lor
ohly OF the courts themselves. but of
lhe people, who have created the
courts. He added:
Mob violence puts every mans
rights to the doubtful determination ~
men infamed by passionate resentment
ana maddened by the thirst for re-
Nenge, renders our voice feeble when
raised against oppression elsewhere and
displays a barbarity which shames the
nation in the face of the world. LET
thls people whose government has been
called government of laws and not
or men fiX upon those who hold them
serves above the law and wiser than the
law the seal of their Condemnation
In conclusion Mr.. Moody touched
upon the necessity of honesty in The
pubic service. There is, he declared, no
disease Of the body polite so subtle, so
powerful. so dangerous, so fatal as
the corrupt betrayal of a public trust
whether the trust be great or small He
could not but believe. he said that in
the main those who do the peoples 3
work are honest and true but when the
malignant ulcer of corruption appears
It Is no time for surface treatment. The
knife must reach under the very poison
Gus root that it may be cut out and
cast away. He asked that we not cas-
lily believe charges which are made
lightly, Let them" the secretary added
be investigated with the calm Impair
tiaiity of court of law; but if the
oftense be proved let the displeasure of
the people come like a thunder bolt from
on high. Let not the hands of justice be
stayed or its edicts be tempered with
a misguided mercy"
u Commissioner H. b. F. Mcfarland
spoke for the district government un-
%1er whose auspices the celebration was
cid. He was followed by Ambassador
b0sserand, whose speech contained an
~ eloquent tribute to the Americans OF
the early days. Briefly he referred to
the meeting of 127 years ago in Inde-
pendence hall in Philadelphia. He con-
tinued:
What took place? What words were
exchanged? We should like to know
them to the minutest particulars Rut
one thing we know. and that is enough.
The men who came were insurgents:
the men who left were free men,
He then referred to the help which
France so willingly rendered the new
republic in its struggle for freedom
Congress had decided that an appeal
should be made to the foreign nations
for an alliance. Amid the silence OF
nations, one voice. he said, was heard
to say "Adsum"-the voice of France
Here I am willing and ready to risk
with you, for better or for worse, all
have, life and treasure. what remains
of my colonies and even tfat new bull
navy of mine. the result of so many ef-
forts, navy just reconstructed at last
after so years of indifference and de
cay"
He concluded as follows:
The nation whose life began 127 years
ago mas become an immense one Or
the day we now commemorate (in z
ceremony with which I am beyond
words proud to be associated) your an.
cestors bestowed upon you gifts anC
framed for YOU duties. the ones and tht
others equally splendid. They bestowed
upon you that peerless gift. liberty
they left for YOU rules of life. obligations
ana responsibilities which will become
more and more binding as vou becor1,
more and more powerful. These dutie.
we nave IN common with you. Endowet
with institutions similar to yours. pur
suing similar aims we intend to vie Will
you, no longer on the battlefield in view
= Of a liberty which has been won for
ever but in constant attempts to i'm
prove the condition of the manv +,
spread the spirit of brotherhood between
men and between nationss 70 remain ii