The Greeley tribune., 1909-07-07
THE SANE FOURTH
SUBJECT OF PAPER
ONE woMAN's VIEW OF JULY =,
Review Celebration Of Natal Ami.
versary from New Viewpoint

/
| At the meeting OF the North Side
Country club last week. Mrs. Cora
Bliss read paper on THE Sane
Fourth. Because of the excellence
OF the paper and its appropriateness
at this time, 1t will be appreciated
by all. Mrs. Bliss said in part:
The wording OF this subject i'm
plies at the outset that there has
existed an insane Fourth and of that
l will have to speak in order to show
the need Of observing the day in n
sane manner.
Hardly had the little iron bank
cooled OF from the jingle of its
Christmas dimes and pennies before
our young son said. 20 goodie. now
! can begin saving my money for
firecrackers," and each week sees a
few more precious pennies stored
there and the joyous anticipation
grows stronger until 1t will burst
forth in the early morning hours of
that glorious day.
But we mothers do not look for
ward to that day with the same feel
our friends may be plunged into sor-
row by the accident which we seem
to be 80 powerless to avoid?
The amount of money spent for
fireworks every years is between ten
and fifteen million dollars The
number Of deaths last year resulting
from the use of fireworks was 1863
while the number injured was some
thing over $500. This record is
not unusual. OF these ninety-three
persons lost the use of one eye while
eleven were rendered totally blind
Among the thousands reported as
injured who of us can begin to esti-
| mate the great amount OF suffering
| which was endured, the sorrowing
homes, the anguish of sleepless
nights. the anxious days and weeks
health? Yes, all these join in the
army OF the injured, and We read OF
them in the papers and we are apt to
pass them by as we do the accounts
of the terrible catastrophies brought
! about by tornadoes, floods, earth
quakes and the like in far away re-
gions but when such accidents strike
very near our own homes. and loved
ones, then We awake and say, rs
this sacrifice necessary.-is it right.
how can 1t be stopped? And with
many others we would almost be re
lieved were the day with its horrors
struck from our national calendar.
l fear that have not given any
remedy for the insane Fourth,
would not wish to advocate that the
| day be without its enthusiasm, fun
and reasonable amount OF noise
II this could only be made possible
without the attending danger.
As I write, bomb factories all over
the country are busy turning out
their wares and preparations are
going on quietly enough for this
great celebation.
But considerable has been written
and said on the subject and the feel
Ing is growing that the ordinary way
OF celebrating the greatest of our
national holidays Is unworthy the
country and the times.
Our school children are instructed
in principles of patriotism as never
before. Those anniversary days
Which fall within the school term
are very carefully observed and ap-
propriate exercises are held. from
Thanksgiving Day. with its stories
ever dear to the boys and girls OF
the Pilgrims and old colonial days
to this the birthday celebrations in
of
and Washington.
| The remembering of these days
keeps the essential facts of our ma
tion's struggle for freedom and right
in mind and fosters n love for fore
fathers and our country as no other
teaching could do. Then the beautl-
ful and impressive services OF Me
mortal Sunday and Decoration Day
at which time our hero dead are
honored and their brave deeds are
recounted-all these observances are
most helpful and believe that our
boys and girls are not wanting in
patriotism.
But the Fiag bay and Independ-
cnce Day coming, AS they do. in the
summer time. their observance rests
more with the civic authorities and
with the parents in the homes.
A celebration is being planned this
year at Springfield, Mass, which at
least sets an example to other com
munities. The program includes SIX
rageants, which will each teach somc
historic event such as the purchase
of land from the Indians, the coming
of the corn fleet and the march OF
Burgoyne's captured army.
| Our fathers have purchased with
| tears and with blood
This beautiful country for freedom
| and God: