Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1909-07-01

her enforced battle cry OF freedom.
Again children rally round the flag
to uplift their childish voices in its
praise and honor: to sing songs OF
triumph and rejoicing over the ma
tons victory.
Once again. as Of yore. loud peal the
hells-ringing out the glad news that
II is the anniversary of the nations
birth; concentrating the magnificent
achievements Of those early noble
patriots on that first. glorious Fourth
day Of July. Statesmen and orators
are called upon to exercise their high
est powers OF e~loquence in order TO re
impress upon the hearts and minds OF
citizens now enjoying the rights and
duties conferred upon them by an in
dependent form OF government. to up
hold those lofty ideals. and to defend
those basic principles OF unity and
fraternity. OF political independence
and freedom from arbitrary rule and
~despotism for which brave men will
ingly laid down their lives. that the
country which they loved, and for
which they fought might as a nation
live.
The Declaration Of Independence was
received with every demonstration Of
public rejoicing. We are told that II
was read in public from the platform
Of an observatory in the rear of the
~statehOuse. On the same day a bril-
liant fete vas given in honor OF the
nations birth on board the frigate
Washington in the Delaware. the fes-
~tiyities terminating with a ball in the
evening. The declaration was read at
the head Of each brigade Of the CONT
mental army stationed at New York.
and received with joyful huzzas. Again
on the tenth day Of July. the declara.
ton vas read in the courthouse at
White Plains by order of the conven.
tion then in session. The kings coat
u arms was brought from the hall
where his courts we're held and burned
amid the acclamations Of the multi.
tude.
Thus We find that whatever form
these public demonstrations OF rejoic.
ing over the nations birth might take,
they were always preceded by a ARE
full exposition of the cause for that re.
i%oieing- The celebration OF Independ.
Enc day. in those early times. was the
~exultant overflow of emotion due 70
the intelligence. clearly and pointedly
conveyed to the popular mind. OF the
resolute resistance of the country's
leaders Il tyranny that should make
America free.
Given a true conception of the
causes. the principles and influences
that should be re-examined and con.
templated on every recurring July 4
the American people would impart a
meaning and dignity to their festivi
ties on the holiday OF national holidays
such as would preclude an indulgence
IN mere senseless. n~erve-racking
noisy demonstrations; without thought
nf the why" or "v~herefore?" Of the
occasion. Too many OF our youth. not
/, outstanding the lessons of American
history learned at school. are apt "a
forget the real significance OF the ma.
tons birthday when they deem il
sufficient to vent what they are
pleased to call their patriotism" in
deafening horn-blasts and in the free
and careless use of reeking explosives
and dangerous firearms.
Nor is the great mass of our foreign
population which is ultimately TO be
consolidated into the American nation
: properly informed respecting the an.
tecedent forces OF the country to
- ~
for freedom; so that at sight of our