The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1909-07-23

mcr Ocala Boy, Presents the Fiaos
anc Makes Patriotic Speech
The Fourth of July was made a glo-
rious day in Cuba by the American
colony. and the Havana newspapers
say that it presented such a scene of
oazzling splendor as was never before
duplicated in Cuban history.
The beauty and chiyalry of Havana
were present. and music, consisting
mostly Of patriotic American airs,
vas delightfully."- rendered, and the
city was gaily decorated in honor of
the glorious occasion.
President Jose Miguel Gomez, pres
ident Of the Cuban republic, presided,
and the Havana Post says that his
entourage ofhcialdom, the diplomats
OF various nations, the military, and,
most important, the ladies, made a
scene of such beauty and interest as
might do credit to any nation any
where.
The Post then goes on to say:
Each organization looked business
Ike and alert and when the parade
had been formed, the color guards of
the respective organizations were or
dered 10 arrange themselves about
$50 feet in front OF the bandstand,
where President Gomez and the how-
er Of Havana beauty awaited the sub
seQuent events.
Directly in front of the stand stood
the General Staf band. Then inter-
vened a little clear space, and be-
yond, in a perfect line were the
twelve little American girls who had
been invited. to hand over the ban
ners- They were escorted by a dozen
Cuban boys who are pupils at St Au-
gustine College, and the line was ar
ranged between the squad of color
sergeants aud the band.
With true military promptness and
exactitude the presentation was made
according to schedule. While the
crowds were assembling the khaki
clad soldiers. slim, erect, attentive.
marched upon the parade ground and
took positions in a long line on the
opposite side of the field from the
spectators.
Salute American Hymn
For one thrilling insta~t no one
spoke. and then swellinsf from the
brass instruments OF the band, the
tones Of the American national hymn,
The Star Spangied Banner" burst
out on the summer afternoon
Former soldiers in the crowd stiff
fened to attention" while Cubans
and Americans alike uncovered" or
stood at salute"
With the final exalted cadence, the
strain was relaxed and a warm-heart-
ed cheer arose over the parade
ground.
The President Wright of the Amer
lean Club arose in front of the line of
brilliant banners and saluting the
fags, bowed to President Gomez, and /
addressed General Faustino Guerra,
commander of the troops.
Al Wrighrs Patriotic Speech
~General Commanding the Cuban Ar
my, 0ficers and Soldiers:
To-day, the Fourth of July, is the
anniversary OF the most glorious event
of the American people. In all parts
OF the world where Americans may
be, they will be found celebrating
this day. Nearly century and half
ago today, upon the proclamation of
the famous Declaration of Independ-
ence" of the Americans, a new power,
free and independent, the American
republic was born.
There are proclaimed in this in
strument the Hottest sentiments of pa
triotism. undeniable truths and con-
cepts and principles of justice and
honor. The most fundamental of these
and 50 recognized and accepted by all
civilized people is that which declares
"An men are born equal and endowed
with the inalienable rights of life, lib
erty and the pursuit of happiness,
and that other Of equal transcendence,
THAT TO secure these rights govern
ments are instituted among men. de-
irving their Just powers from the con-
sent of the governed"
The representatives of the Amer
ican people. upon signing that declara-
ton, solemnly pledged their lives,
their fortunes and their sacred honor
10 support and defend it. All Amer ,
leans who at that time loved their
country, approving and accepting the
solemn obligation as their own under
their flag, the STARS and Stripes"
the emblem which symbolized for
them those ideals of liberty, justice
and honor. and which they had bound n
themselves 10 defend, sustained that r