Arizona republican., 1908-07-05

lures of the Phoenix celebration
 came late in the program instead of
 leading the festivities as in the
 northern climes. It is not because
 Phoenix loves the Eagle less but be- cause she loves it more and wants
 to select the most appropriate hour
 for the demonstration.
 | A vast audience assembled at the | city plaza at o'clock, though for
 that matter Phoenix was all audience
 about that time, some looking for
 oratory, some for fireworks and some | for attractions. The Pioneer band
 exuded patriotic music from every
 pore as well as from the brass in
 struments while the crowd was gathering The program was short
 but most excellent what there was ! of it, and consisted of but three
 numbers. Dave Goldberg. chairman
 of the celebration committed, presid- 1 ed and introduced Paul Renau In gles, who read the declaration of Independence. and Andrew Downing of Phoenix. who read a poem he had written for this occasion, en- titled The Nations Birthday" and which is reproduced in connection Herewith. The reading of it will demonstrate it's merit.
 Following MT. Downing the chair man introduced Rev. James Allen
 Geissinger, pastor of the First NJ. E. church. as the orator of the day
 Mir. Geissinger never had a more lsympathetic audience nor probably one that was more difficult to ad-
 dress. He spoke loudly and clearly but he was talking against a per petual cannonade of bursting bombs and firecrackers in every direction,
 hence he could not be heard great distance. Those who did hear him
 were inspired, strengthened and up | lifted by his address. Those who did not hear him missed a fine
 Fourth of July oration.
 It was a conventional talk in that it was saturated with patriot ism and sparkled with stories and illustrations. but was unconvention- al and therefore better in that it was not confined to the usual recital of historical events to which the nation
 points with pride and with which iall are familiar. Rather the speaker
 breathed the spirit of optimism that the nation was always better than any other nation on earth and was itself getting better every day.
 Though not blinding himself to American weaknesses he did no undertaking. but drew in his own way the lesson of American progress from the facts of American history
 His theme was the persistent vii tality of the American people which he described by the country's achievements, in answer to the criti- |cisms of some who persist in point ing out what they conceive to be evidences of decadence. He said if there is anything wrong it is the Icritics and not the country. He de- 'clared that this is not the age of graft though many have so described it. There has been and still is graft in certain quarters, but when the greatness of the country and the numerousness of it's population are considered there is less of it even than in the olden time. People think with clearer knowledge and a broader experience than in the early days. Between the revolution and the civil war the public conscience was distorted by the institution of slavery and other questions which have long been done away with. We of the present day have our problems to solve it is true, and chief among them is the question of corporate power but these later problems are all being challenged by able and patriotic men who are seeking and will find the proper so- lution.
 The present age has in reality de- veloped a new civic ideal to which the nation looks forward. The speaker asked any doubter to study the history of the nation, it's achieve ments in it's own interest and it's achievements in the interest of civ ilization and progress and note that American vitality is as strong and