The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1907-07-19
THE Nth OF JULY.
Fine Grafton Delivered by Judge
John F. Hager.
Aeishbors and Friends;

Htried III the KIM Invitation IeetlNeul
from your Committee to address you
aypon this occasion. 1t affords me
great pleasure to have this opportun-
Ety TO speak to former friends and
sseauaintances and to the children of
those knew in the happy, care-free
days of boyhood, on the banks of our
e1eal Big Sandy. wish that | were
-Aorthier of the honor and that
could promise in return for the high
eSsmpliment, an address equal to the
secession and such as you have a right
10 expect from the fact that accept
ed and am now before YOU
could not, If | would, forget that
Z am now attempting to follow orators
sDE distinction and renown, who have
spoken to you upon similar occasions
i particularly recall two distinguished
SIMS of Lawrence county-one the sill
yer tongued. eloquent and gifted John
* Patton; and the other my f.iend
End associate of happy boyhood days
spent here in Louisa, and in the later
aiays of manhood's strength in the
CITY from which come, life long
Friend, an eloquent speaker, public
spirited citizen whose untimely death
vu-ls mourned by all or course refer
Go Samuel S. Savage; and while 1t
s7aay not be within my power to bend
che bow of these mighty Ulysses ]
7aore in patriotic purpose and intent,
II not in apt words, to justify my
Eresence here before YOU.
/ claim more than strangers in
zerest in this community, and the
Right. for today at least, to speak as
srne OF you Nearly forty years have
xast since the happy school days at
che old Masonic Academy Within
Nhat sweep of years, very many, per-
aaln the majority of the people then
sf this community have been gather
ed 10 their final reward Time would
Eaii me in recalling all, but some at
BEAST may be mentioned. The vener-
able Frederick r Moore; his generous
kindly son. William F. Moore; the
sturdy and brave Col. Gallup: the
handsome and gifted John NJ. Rice;
n ]. Ferguson, the able lawyer and
Turist; X f. Prichard, the brilliant
saavocate: DIR. Strother j. Yates, the
beloved physician. all passed beyond,
=ne with them are many boyhood and
zirlhood friends gone with the roll
Gf the seasons. Today, crowded with
rscollections OF the past, | find that
sill DER these scenes my memory
wakes.
And fondly broOds with miser care,
Vine the impression stronger makes
las streams their channels deeper
wear"
The event we celebrate and COM
frneliorate today is worthy OF Cele-
TE-afion now and in all time to come
The flames kindled by our forefatheri
ny the immortal Declaration of tbs
-sGh of July, 1875, have since over
-spead the world The despotism o
centuries has failed to check or eN
.1taguish it. The light thus shed oil
lnmrlxind throughout the civilize'
world. Is such that human power can
not stand against it The sovereign
OF Europe. where wise. have seen
and have Bonded to It; the unwis
only have stiffened and resisted Il
and have met its inevitable crust
That instrument placed before mar
.aind in terms plain and firm, the col
rect principles OF government and hf
commanded universal assent II
lie highest ducy of good citizenshi
tae cherish the principles of the De
Iqalation in the hearts Of all OF II
geop.e. and to see that these prime
ples are instillcd into our childrt
and that they shall be taught hi
xhey are not born with saddles
sheir backs. that favored few, Doc
20 md spurred, may ride them, i
. he annual return OF this day +
ever refresh our recollection of the
rights. Of our devotion to them, n
only for our good but as grounds
hope ~ others.
Ihis great Declaration altered
-trevious conceptions Of goTernme
an. world over. Before the Declar
ai.n our fathers possessed certa
rights as British subjects under r.,
srants or charters. Magma Char
win merely a claim Of English i
.eities. by English barons, and
acknowledgement by Kings that su
.,I:,i.ns should be respected by
ce.wn. Bills OF Right and other Re
al Grants, were privileges or 81
zfom sovereign of his own wiz
mis- subjects. but the American Il
-ras TO establish government as
a~t aud deed OF sovereign peoI
shcreby to preserve the liberty OF
s.i.zen. the integrity and independe
"a the States both to be conser'
Nv the uuion of all the States un
.he directing mower and fostering q