The Boise citizen. (Boise, Idaho) 1906-1910, 1908-06-19
Sane FOURTH OF JULY

As the anniversary Of independence again approach,
a sane Fourth of July is as usual a topic for discussion
This year heaCenttrySdigni6e it with a conspicuous plac
IN its current issue, The writer quotes the fatality statistic
Of last independence Pay, using the record of f02 death
and 1889 injuries compiled by the Journal of the America
Medical Association, although the number is understated
and lays special stress upon the effect of al this noise upo
the sick and the after consequences to victims whose IN
JuFies are not at first regarded as severe.
The writer also makes copious references to the cele
.bration Of national holidays in European. South American
and even Asiatic cities, and shows by comparison how
much more impressive and beautiful and much less dar,
gerous they are than ours. In word, the writer pronounce.
our bloody fourth an 'uncivlized holiday. and pathe
tlcally inquiries whether steps cannot be taken to civilize
Undoubtedly the celebration Of Fourth Of Tuly origi-
naly was civilized and as sane as any one cor1d
desire, but IN its evolution the celebration
has suffered a change, not into Something rich and strange
but something meaningless and mtrderous. It is doubtful.
however, whether the old time program could be restored
now except IN quiet, old fashioned places, without being
voted a bore. No one cares to listen to the reading of the
declaration OF independence or to a two houroration on
the virtues OF the fathers and the duties Of their descend
ants And yet the present manner of celebration is I'M
questlonably unciv1ized The continuous DISCHARGE of fire.
arms, hrecrackers, ~torpedoes, toy pistols. and other AGENTS
Tor killing and manning is certainly inappropriate, for it
mas no meaning as applied to the day. Its object is mere
NOISE and noise IS as appropriate one day as another. In
the large cities OF the country there is not a feature of Fourth
OF July celebrations which has either direct or indirect re-
ference to the anniversary of American independence.
10 this extent, therefore, the prenet Fourth of Iuly|
celebration IS unclv1lzed. 1t is mere noise. ACCOMPANIED
by the killing Of some hundreds and wounding of some
thousands, and general discomfort. But how shall Il be
cvhIzedf Clearly not by a return to the old fashioned
methods. They would not be tolerated. Municipal an
thorltles seek to prevent fatalities by forbiddinq the use
or sale OF certain dangerous noise producing agencies
and also %forbidding the discharge of guns, pistols, and fire
crackers except IN large open spaces. But the use and the
sales continue as openly as if there were no law against
them, and streets and alleys ring with noise for DAYS and
little or no effort is made to check it. Evidently laws and
ordinances are OF no avail to civ1ize the Fourth, for thew
are not enforced, and the fatality list steadily grows. Is
there no way OF ciylizing the Fourth of July?
The osciety for the suppression of noises should oct
IN us work on the laundering silence of the Statesman
~ the advocacy OF the nomination of a senatorial candidate.
us constant din IS almost UNDESIRABLE and the tremendotss
silence is heard to the utternlost confines of the state.
Now that Borah has left Washington mavhap Brown
can wire to Idaho what the special agents who were sent
70 Idaho to Ind out whether Frank Hunt is a polvgamist
or not reported to the interior department II world
doubtless make mighty interesting reading.
New names are being added daily to the subscrnt;on
lists OF The Citizen. 1t should have a statewide Circulation
tor the campaign Only 50 Cents gets the paper twice (
! eek until after the election. \
None but Hepburn men on guard is the watchword
Ada County Republicans, who do not intend the ring
tiers shall be IN a position to betray the senior senator. =
The proverbial SNOWFALL in the internal REGIONS world
egislature.
Is the Presidency for sale1 The hackers of Taft evil :
emily think So. v