Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-07-02
OFFICIAL COUNTY PAPER.
TINE FOURTH OF JULY.

A correspondent has asked, what can
be done to promote a movement for a
more sane celebration of the Fourth OF
July and to correct q somewhat perver-
ted patriotic sentiment. AS the day
approaches for the annual celebration OF
the Fourth of July it is we'll that prepa-
ration should be made for celebrations
in harmony with the national sentiment
that led our forefathers to set apart this
day as a public holiday. Our failure to
celebrate this day is not a good sign
and even where it is celebrated, the fact
that the celebration turns to amuse-
ments rather than to the serious con
temptation of the subjects suggested by
the day, this fact is likewise significant
of a lack of respect for the day. The
Fourth of July is a national holiday be-
cause on that day the nations indepen-
dence was declared and it is considered
as the birthday of the republic. Patrio-
tism would suggest an appropriate
celebration in every community cele-
bration at which the people would
gather to bestow merited praise upon
our forefathers; to discuss the funda-
mental principles of methods of govern
ment: to review the achievements of the
past; to consider the dangers that
menace the future: and to lay plans for
the perpetuity of a government of the
people, by the people and for the people.
A~musements can be introduced in the
program but the amusements ought to
be incidental and not the main feature
of the day. Is it lot possible for the
people to lay aside for at least n day
out of the year their interest in material
prosperity and consider the questions
vitality concerning u national life and
our national destiny? When the parents
commemorate the Fourth or July as
they should, it will be easy to prepare
the children for the duties of citizenship.
We are all imitators to a greater or less
extent and the children are quite sure to
be impressed by the actions and con-
versations of their elders. The best
way to prepare our children for the dis
charge of the high duties of citizenship
is to be scrupulously careful ourselves
about the discharge of the duties of
citizenship. If parents are indifferent
to the observance of the Fourth of July,
their children are apt to be. Ii the
parents prefer amusements on that day,
the children are apt to prefer amuse-
ments, too. 1t is not necessary that
there should be an elaborate address by
a distinguished speaker, although an
impressive address by one who enjoys
the confidence of the people is entirely
fitting. The Declaration of Indepen-
dence should be read, national airs
ought to be sung and those who are
leaders of thought in their community
ought to give expression to their views.
1t ought to be a day for the free ex-
change of sentiment and for the stimu-
lation of thought about public questions
and interest in public affairs. The
Indifference with which some now speak
of the vital principles set forth in the
Declaration of Independence ought to
lead to more zeal on the part of those
who defend the Declaration of 1ndepen-
dence. Colonialism would not have
been accepted so complacently by SO
many had there been the interest there
ought to have peel in the constant dis
cussion of the principles of free govern
ment. Imperialism would not have
fouid the reception that it did had the
Fourth of July been observed as it
ought to have been observed, and the
advocates of Imperialism and colonialism
will grow less in proportion as the people
take an active interest in the perpetu
alton of the ideals of government tina
led the patriots of 1716 to promulgat'
the Declaration of Independence ano
pledge to its support their lives, thel
property and their sacred honor.