The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-06-30
Golfers.

were just being established, although
bitterly opposed.
Country homes of that day were
often large and handsome houses, as
many of them still standing, such as
Llongfellow's home at Cambridge,
Mass, and the Jumel mansion in New
York City, show. These were built
Of wood with very solid frames,
Farmers usually lived in smaller
homes, often with only a single floor
and a garrett. In the centre rose an
immense brick chimney, containing
huge oven. Indeed, the most pleas
ant room of the home of this descrip.
ton was the kitchen, with It's huge
fireplace, swinging crane and high,
backed settle, It's punches of herbs,
of apples and of onions hanging from
the ceiling, the corner cupboard
bright with pewter mugs and dishes,
and a cosy table to which buckwheat
cakes might be handed from the grid
die without opportunity to cool.
Here was served the midday dinner
of salt pork, beef OF fish, with pota'
toes and brown bread. Of the fine
and healthful vegetables now so com
mon the old-time home knew little.
It was from homes such as those
described that the founders of the
Nation went forth to war. When
Washington was asked the rock on
which he considered his splendid
career founded, he answered, simply;
my mothers teachings" Hundreds
of other mothers in later days, al.
though perhaps not so openly herald
ed, have been the real causes of great
successes among men upon whom the
cares of State and Nation have rested
The modern home has much more
in the way of comfort, as we under
stand the word. Sometimes 1t Is said
that the increase in comfort has
threatened our strength as a Nation,
and that the splendid achievements
of the men of earlier generations
were the result Of the sterner life
that was theirs.
If there is any one who cherishes
such a believe, 1t will be well COR hin
to observe closely what happens In
dependence Day, to read some of the
addresses, to watch the vigor with
which Young America celebrates, to
note the power and strength visible
on every hand, to look on the men
whom we call representative, and
then compare them with those who
have been held up to US as models
of physical and intellectual vigor. If
the American. home Of the present
needs vindication Independence Day
events furnish it.
There is no more striking contrast
than between independence Day
1909, and that melancholy July 4
1884, when it seemed as if instead
of remaining a United and friendly
people, he American Nation was like
~ to resolve itself into thirteen hos
tile nations. Fortunately common
sense prevailed, and the scheme Of
government upol. which the Nations
career was modelled came into being.
Then there was really no one to
celebrate the country's birthday. 1t
seemed as If there would be no more
birthdays. To-day the world cele-
brates it. Even the ruler of the Ma
ton whose defeat Independence Day
practically s~ignalizes pays grateful
tribute to American proves through
the American Ambassador at the
Court of st. James. In every capital
of Europe Americans and friendly
foreigners toast In elaborate banquet
halls the American Nation and its
President.
In our own country the Day has
taken on a wider significance than
any of the other anniversaries called
National celebrations. Indeed it is
known as "The Day We Celebrate,
and is unquestionably the leader OF
all festal occasions. Instead Of dying
out, the enthusiasm of the %celebrants
seems to increase with the years, and
within the last decade it has been
necessary to pass-at least in the
larger towns and cities-local laws
that regulate the fireworks displays
and the like.-American Home
Monthly.