The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-07-05
OF
THE FOURTH
Services N First Presbyterian
Church. Address BY lrv-
ing E. Salmon,
THE ATTENDANCE WAS SMALL


Thegeneral opinion seems to be that
the celebration Of the Fourth this
| year was the noisiest in years. The
canes seemed to be noisy attraction,
men, women and children being armed
with them. The noise began Satur-
day night and after a partial cessation
on Sunday was renewed with yigor on
Monday.
The church bells were rung, a salute
was fired from Fort Nonsense. In the
park Voss' band gave three concerts OF
excellent music, which would have
been better but for the racket Of un-
thinking persons with the canes.
There was no general show OF fire.
works at night, only scattering rock
cts and Roman candles illuminating
the landscape.
There was but a fair attendance at
the patriotic services on Monday, which
were held in the Methodist Church,
but those present were amply repaid
for their effort. Former Judge w. w.
Cutler presided in the absence of
Mayor Reed. After an organ yolun-
tary by j. Fred. Runyon, male chorus
sang the American Hymn" by Kel-
Ter, after which prayer was offered by
Rev. r. B. Urmy. Rev. DR.. Erdman
read the Declaration of Independence,
and the chorus sang Tramp, Tramp,
Tramp; the Boys are Marching. The
orator Of the day, Irving e. Salmon,
was then introduced and gave an in
teresting and eloquent oration. He
said the day was not only holiday
when business and the ordinary yoca-
tions should be laid aside, but a day
when all should call to mind the heroes
who fought and died in order to make
this nation; day when each should
bring to mind what it means to us and
| to the world. He recalled the con-
ditiOn of affairs in this country prev
ious to the Revolutionary war, and the
causes that led up to that struggle,
which were mainly tyrany and oppres-
sion, or taxation without represent
alton. These caused friction which
ended in a conflict the like Of which
was never seen before or since a strpg-
gle for liberty and equality. To enable
his hearers to comprehend what had
been accomplished in this country the
speaker cOntrasted the educational, in
dustrial and other situations that ex-
listed before the Revolution with those
of the present day. He called to mind
the fact that Jefferson the writer Of
the Declaration Of Independence, and
Adams, its sponsor before Congress,
passed away just fifty years after its
adoption, on the Fourth Of July. They
lived long enough to see the sue
cess of the principles they risked so
much for. Our country has had many
trials and difficulties to contend with
but it's motto has ever been forward, :"
and forward it has gone. Allusion was
made to the wonderful immigration
into this country and the danger from
undesirable persons coming here set
forth. The personal obligation of
every citizen to live up to his heritage
was emphasized and the prosperity of
the country was shown to come from
the blessing of the Almighty on indi-
viduals and upon the nation. One
thought should not be forgotten: our
ancestors left us this blessed heritage
and our posterity have a right to ex-
pect of us such a use of our heritage as
shall pass it on down to them unsullied,
and the better for our exertions. In
closing he enjoined upon all to have
the spirit and patriotism Of the men
of the old thirteen states.
At the close of the Grafton Judge
Cutler, on behalf Of the audience ex-
tended hearty thanks to the orator for
the treat he had afforded it. The ex-
ercises closed with America by the
chorus and audience, and the benedic-
tion by the Rev. Oliver G. Horsman.