Putnam patriot., 1909-07-02

In selecting this subject, our pro gram committee has arranged psifi- otie subject on patriotic day. The fisgs everywhere remind Us Of Flag Day, they also dress the nation on In. dependence Day.
 The motto given Us today by the committee, "Ding. dong, was written by Oliver Wendell Holmes, whose grandfather, Dr. David Holmes, who was also my great grandfather, served in The Revolution to establish lnde- pendence. which event We celebrate on the 4ih Of July.
 The Fourth of July brings with it a great meaning. IL represents victory ,he birth of our nation, the freedom asd independence which makes our American nation, the greatest in the world: and your ancestor and mine paid the price to establish 1t, many giving their lives to this noble cause and 70 Fourth of July has large meaning to every true daughter. We therefore, should be allowed the priyi. Iege of arranging and recommending Fourth of July celebrations.
 From my earliest recollection, 4th of July was looked forward to with great pleasure, my home being in that part of the town Of Woodstock which was made famous, so many years, by the celebration at Koseland Park, which through the generosity of the late Hon. Henry C Bowen of the New York In dependent. the people of Woodstock and vicinity enjoyed from year 10 year, and the rare treat Of meeting and listening 10 the greatest men in our country, as well as grand illumina- tions al his own expense.
 There are many and varied methods and plans for the celebration of the Fourth, with growing tendency to the guns, pistols, and crackers, as well as dangerous firearms used indiserim- inately by all nations, and ias our ma ton is increasing by the influx Of for eignefs should We mol grasp our oppor tunity to educate them, guide and leach them by practical methods, how to observe the day, thus helping them te become good American citizens.
 The question Of how We shall cele. brate the Fourth is being agitated in many places, and plans are being made to offer the public an entertainment better than the explosive, which has been the cause of so much disaster and loss Of life. A grand step In this di- rection Is the observance of the day in Spri ngfield, Mass. In that city the past six years has developed agrowing interest in the method of observing the Fourth without tireerackers and harm- fuI explosives. This plan was outlined in an address which was given by Mir. William Ore, principal of the Spring field High School, at the Congress of the Playground Association of Ameri- ea, held in Pittsbnfg. Pa. The follow Ing telegram expIainsa
 To Mayor William F. Sanderson Of Springfield: "Conference representa- lives al Playground Congress vote to recommend adoption of Springfield $ plan Fourth of July celebration"
 Another telegram, as follows:
 "Springfield jumped into the lime city in the whole United States that Ia Inf nA of fnlxr "
 IL was voted to send description of Springtield's Fourth of July celebra- ton to every large city in the country. Mayor Magee of Pittsburg declared that the coming Fourth celebration would be the greatest ever held in that city, endorsing Springiield's plan, but, i, said he, "lt really was Springfield that siarled the ball which eventually will put an end to the thousands of acci- dents on the Fourth of July"
 Referring to Springtield's plan, we note some of the interesting feaIures ot iastiyear. First, an association was formed to carry out the plan. This body some weeks In advance of the holiday, outlines program of events to occupy in a wholesome way the at. tention of all elements of the populS- ton. young aud old. X fund k raised hN popular subscription, and a general interest created in carrying cut the plan.
 On the morning ot the Fourth local decoration and illumination commit lees are busy hanging lanterns pfepar- ing for the evening display, At ten o'clock the parade k formed with the usual features with the police to lead the way, the local militia and naval reserve. n battalion of i0S boys of ages from io to It years organized In com panies, one for each ward. and srrayed in uniforms of khaki. red, white, and blue, and armed with wooden guns. Another section shows the floats made up by the grammar school children as a pageant illustrative of local and na- tlonal history. Such scenes as an ln- tian village, a group of Puritan maid ens, the signing of the Declaration of Independence. and Washington cross- ing the Delaware, fna population of so,ue, there were thirteen peoples who took part in The parade, each striving To show their characteristics aud their contribution to American life.
 Sweden presented a Viking ship. with Ericsson catching his iirst glimpse of this continent Mary pias,sa af