Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-04-02

just Inlnh OF II! Nearly oo,OUU
killed and wounded the past seven
years through our present process of
celebrating the Fourth of July; or
81, 600 more than were killed and
wounded in seven of the principal
battles of the revolutionary war. And
yet, SO used are we to the tragic tale
of the Fourth that the suggestive fig
ures set forth in the above table con-
tain little in the way of surprise. AS
the Terre Haute Star says, We become
accustomed TO the belief that we must
pay a price for our patriotic ebulli-
lions and that certain proportion of
the eyes, fingers and limbs of Amer
ica's youthful population must be laid
on the altar of the country's liberties
once year in order to give the occa-
sion that degree of impressivepes
which a national consciousness is in
clined to accord it. But just why it
is necessary in truth to kill and MAIN
5000 individuals in order that our
victory over King George may be en-
phasized forms curious problem in
the processes of the human mind.
Verify, it would appear that the shade
of George has good reason to chuckle
when the scroll OF annual injury is
made up. Georges red coats may not
have been able to whip us in 1875, but
the dangerous red giant frecracker
and the deadly toy pistol of 1910 are
worthy successors and do all that the
kings soldiers failed to do.
When the question is put to the
average citizen: do you favor a con-
,DF Al 4
he is very likely to shrug his shoulders
and say: THE children must have
their fling" That is the exact atti- |
tude of Mayor Gaynor of New York, |
who, it is reported, has rescinded the |
order of the fire commissioner inter |
dieting the sale OF explosives around
the Fourth. The mayor consequently |
assumes the responsibility for all the
deaths and manning, as well as the
destruction of property that may re-
suit from the celebration of the glori- |
Gus day in his community. 1t certain
ly takes brave man to do a thing like |
that
Still here and there over the coun- |
try are indications that the old order |
is to give way to a new and that there |
On the Fourth without levying toll on |
the human anatomy. Last year by |
ordinance of the city council of Cleve-
land, Ohio, the sale of fireworks and |
their explosion within the limits of |
the city were strictly forbidden. The |
ordinance was enforced to the letter,
too. Result, not a single child or any |
other individual was injured in the
city and the day passed with but one
Or two fire alarms, which had no rela-
ton to pyrotechnics.
Yet, the older heads realized their
responsibility in thus rudeIy suppress
ing Juvenile effusiveness and another
kind of entertainment was arranged.
There was a school parade ON the
downtown streets. The little ones as
sembled early in charge Of their teach
ers and carrying flags and singing
patriotic songs. The children were re
viewed by the mayor and other city
The fathers and mothers
of the children assembled by the thou
sands along the line of march; the
kids" were delighted that they were
the "cynosure of all eyes" 1t was
noon before the hungry children
home, and almost before they
knew it one-third of the anxious holt
day was gone without disaster. Then
in the afternoon the little ones were
taken to the public parks, where there
was band music and balloon ascen-
sions. At 6 o'clock there was basket
luncheon on the grass and then when
darkness fell came the fireworks exhi-
billions in the hands OF experts. BY
8 D. m. the children were on their
way home; they had had good
time" all day long-a good time"
heartache and suffering &C
There is something rational in the
Cleveland experiment. 1t is bound to
be initiated. 1t is sure to grow in