The Washington herald., 1909-07-06

father OF the city as Of the country. And
its soil was made sacred by his presence
as BY that Of Abraham Lincoln, who hcre
did his greatest work This IS the na-
tional temple, and here Is the ark OF the
covenant. and the glorious traditions and
predictions OF our country With Joy We
draw water from the wells OF our na-
tional salvation. We see. moreover, that
| the Declaration OF Independence and all
that came OF 1t was not local. but FITS IN
with the development OF the whole world.
| The British Ambassador took part natur-
ally n our recent unveiling Of the statue
/ OF John Witherspoon. advocate and signer
/ Of the Declaration Of Independence, Just
! across from the British Embassy, for
/ Witherspoon and Jefferson and Adams
were carrying on here the battle for free
/ dom waged In England by Pitt and Fox
j and Burke II was the English govern
ment and not the English people that
denied 10 the colonies the rights OF Eng
lishmen. and Congress wisely struck out
Of Jefferson's draft reflection on the
English people. More, our Revolution was
an incident IN the age-long struggle OF
democracy for liberty, preceded by brave
efforts IN other countries than Great
Britain, and followed by the mighty
movement IT inspired. which France led
and which transformed Europe. Not for
ourselves alone but for all humanity has
God made the United States what Il IS
Just because We are trustees, not owners
we shall have 10 give account II we use
for ourselves alone the wealth OF oppor-
tunity which has been placed In our
hands
Pupils Sing in Chorus.
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Macfarlands
address a chorus of boys and girls. pu-
pills Of the public schools. sang Haller's
Hymn 20 the Fatherland," They were
led by Miss Sallie T. Mason. The Dec
laration OF Independence was read by
William F. GUIDE. president OF the Cham
Der OF Commerce, after which Mrs.
Thomas c. Noyes sang ''The Star Span
gled Banner"
Senator Robert l. Owen, OF Oklahoma.
orator or the day, was introduced BY
Commissioner Macfarland as a man who
represents the youngest state, but IN
whose veins aows the blood % the build
ers Of one OF the grandest and Oldest
States-Virginia."
Senator Owen. who was closely follow |
ed by the audience, spoke, IN part, as
follows:
In I77s we had no independent govern
ment We were subject 20 the British 1
King. He could refuse his assent 20 our /
laws; he appointed every governor for /
every State, without whose consent no /
law could be passed; he could dissolve I
legislatures OF the States; he imposed 1
taxes upon our people without represen- !
tation; he subjected US 20 military des- /
potism; he transported our citizens across /
the seas for trial; he deprived our peo- |
pie OF trial by jury in many cases: he !
stirred up domestic insurrection, and in /
cited Indian wars on our frontiers; he 4
denied the inelienable rights 70 our peo- I
pie OF life, liberty, and the pursuit OF I
happiness.
I've were compelled 10 buy our goods .
from England, and we were not permitted /
70 manufacture for ourselves.
we were weak commercially; we had 4
no means OF transportation from one part 4
OF the country 10 the other; we had no \
newspapers worth mentioning we had I.
no telephone. no telegraph. and mail Ia
cilities Of the poorest description. The /
city OF Washington was a swamp.
Now the city OF Washington Is tbs /
most beautiful in the world We have I
enjoyment OF life, liberty, ana
the pursuit OF happiness.
Our Modern Inventions.
I'VE have the greatest possible facility
for travelling throughout our country.
We have the telephone. the telegraph: we
have everything In the world known to
man ar our immediate service through
the most wonderful modern press IN the
world Our commercial and financial
power has grown through the blessings
OF liberty until Il has outstripped the
whole world, and IS growing more and
more rapidly as the years fy by We
have every reason 70 rejoice. but In re-
joicing We should not forget that liberty
Is not license. and the true liberty re-
spects the liberty of others and their
rights. too. 70 the enjoyment OF life, lib
srty and the pursuit OF happiness. For
that reason a small and thoughtless boy 4,
should not be permitted to explode a
giant cracker in the face OF nervous and
-imld old ladies. nor blow their own heads
jff with dynamite bombs-a safe and sane
Fourth. The enormous number OF accl-
dents and destruction Of life by the
-houghtless acts Of inexperienced children
and young people has made It absolute