The Washington herald., 1909-07-06

AS early as o'clock yesterday morn
ing crowds began to gather around Mar
ket Space. where the first big celebration
occurred. under the auspices Of a joint
committee representing the Board OF
Trade and the Chamber Of Commerce.
An hour and a half later hundreds OF
boys were skirmishing in all directions.
fighting for possession Of the paper flags
parachutes. birds. and animals, thrown
into the air by the daylight skyrockets
as they fell 10 the ground There were
also paper figures Of George Washington
and other Revolutionary heroes.
At the conclusion of the fireworks the
people went over TO the recently unveiled
Stephenson monument where the more
serious part OF the programme arranged
by the committee was held Around the
monument were the recently erected
stands, built to accommodate 1000 per-
sons. These we're filed IN less than I'VE
minutes by members Of the committee.
speakers, and guests Of honor
Hundreds OF American flags and bunt-
ing were used as decorations, and
pretty sight was presented as the
breeZes caught them Shortly before 10
o'clock Rev. F. D. Power opened the
ceremonies with prayer, which was fol-
lowed by salute 10 the flag by the Isa-
bel Worreu Flag Association. The mem
bers Of the association marched 10 the
front OF the speakers stand and. after
saluting the colors, took position near
the base Of the monument, where they
remained standing throughout the cere-
monies.
Mr.. Macfarland's Address.
Commissioner Macfarland presided and
announced the speakers and numbers on
the programme. The Commissioner made
an address. IN part as follows.
We are celebrating Independence Day
by declaring our independence Of the
dangerous and nonsane celebration meth
DDS which have cost this country so dear.
at the same time expressing the patriot
ism which is so natural 10 the National
Capital. The Commissioners and the citI-
Zens. united as always In all movements
for the general good, determined that
Washington should lead in the cause Of
safe and sane celebration OF the na-
tional birthday. The astounding reports
FOLTTn
Of July battlefield. exceeding the number
slain and manned in great battles or little
wars, not 10 speak OF the enormous loss
Of property, have at least shown the les
son which the country must learn.
The journal OF the American Medical
Association states that IN the past six
years the barbaric Fourth OF July ceIe-
bratiOn has killed 1875 and wounded. q $50
persons. II this loss had come from any
other preventable cause Il would have
been stopped long ago. Yet II was made
possible by the suspension for one day
OF laws for the protection OF life and
property. Un-American anarchy thus pro
vided is directly contrary to the ordered |
liberty OF law more powerful than men.
for which our forefathers made the /
Declaration Of Independence and the war 1
that gave US freedom and the world 4
new nation
Yet we must have expression for our
natural feelings Of gratitude. OF sympa- /
thy with seekers after freedom Of am .
bition for a better country. and for the 4
Advancement Of the brotherhood OF man 4
kind To show a more excellent way we
nave planned this days celebration. and /
The public support. for reasons ranging
from enlightened Unselfshness 10 the \
highest altruism, gave promptly more
money than we asked The people OF |
this Capital. always national in spirit. /
With no flag but the national flag, giving /
more than their share I'm war and in .
peace. 10 the support Of the national gov /
ernment, have peculiar feeling for this
day and all that il represents
Declaration of independence.
The Declaration OF independence. both
the rough draft IN Jefferson's handwrit-
ing. interlined by John Adams and Benia-
min Franklin. and the engrossed copv.
clear as ever, though two-thirds Of the
OF the signers have faded out.
Is in the State Department. together with
The desk upon which jefferson wrote IL.
The presence of this great liberty docu-
ment is characteristic Of this Capital. with
its priceless relies and still more precious
memories The national government has
sojourneA IN other cities. but this 10 its
home. Every President since Washington
has served here. every Congress since the
Fifth, and the Supreme Court since the
days Of John Marshall. greatest OF chief
justices. George Washington was the