The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1910-07-01

way did not keep this es-
teemed magazine closed TO the eyes Of eoyhood,
It IS to be feared that this parson despite his
poetry would be voted a cross old man. For
when the Fourth fell on Sunday he no reason
why II should be celebrated on any other day or
On any fashion not in keeping with a seemly OBJ
servance OF the sabbath Instead Of gladly &C
cepting the bounty OF the calendar and having
a rilogy. a series OF three dramatic and exciting
DAYS fraught with danger and delight. this gloomy
parsonage would have limited the days events TO
a sermon and prayer.
In his records can be found testimony against
him. for they read:
July 4. ls47. sunday
July s. Monday morning This IS celebrated
as the Fourth OF July very improperly. Yesterday
was the day and ministers might have preached
upon the subject of religious freedom; this would
have been sufficient and ought 20 have been sat
isfactory. But no: there must be noise. the drum
must beat aud the cannon roar. the children be
dressed in their best and paraded. and Don't
these childrep look NICE?
oh yes very nice but II their parents would
teach them 70 respect their superiors and behave
with propriety It would be Tar better Well. there
has been a general turnout. rich and poor young
and old. all mixed up together This is free
country-but not so. II is country OF slave hold
We hold 100000 Of our fellow mortals as
slayes-and how inconsistent"
July 4. 1852 Sunday.
July Monday.
The community were not satisfied TO have
yesterday being the Fourth OF July because
they could not serve Satan so openly and boldly
today. My opinion is that when the Fourth
OF July comes on the Sabbath 1t ought to be re
membered In a suitable and proper manner by
assembling in the sanctuary and hearing the proc.
lamation Of peace announced from the pulpit.
good tidings Of great JOY which shall be to all
people Suitable prayers and suitable readings
would be suitable acknowledgement that our
blessings Of God but because this won't do
We must have a great noise and hustle and much
that IS derogatory the Christian character must
be put in operation"
lie didn't like the methods OF celebration any
better when the glorious day fell in the middle
Of the week. for July 4. 1S49. he wrote:
Wednesday. At the rising OF the sun the bells
Of the city ringing and the cannon roaring
calling upon those within hearing TO awake arise
and call upon their God and give him thanks for
this great blessing. our national independence,
which We this day commemorate by making all
the noise and by acting a well as we
can and as bad can"
All Of which would justify any boy in the
belief that though the parson may have been
Godfearng parsonage who walked the narrow
path all his cody days and was never tempt
ed by a lingering desire for pleasant primrose by
ways he must certainly have been rather
unpleasant person to live with and that the milk
Of human kindness which his portion. though
II may not have soured certainly lacking
Ia cream
How different was the letter which John Ad
in the first flush Of Joy over the adoption
by congress OF the Declaration Of independence
wrote to his wife It's date. July ,. may give some
ardent young Americans excuse for firing their
crackers before the dawn of the day which even
lawmakers say may have its claim shattered
into fiery noise
This first historic Adams. first vicepresident.
second president OF the republic which he helped
TO bring into being. a good husband Busy
as he must have been for he was foremost fig
In the stirring events. the Atlas OF Indepen-
dence." the Colossus Of that debate" which pre-
oeded the vote the matchmaking resolution.
he wrote on July two letters to his wife. Abigail.
In one he said. Yesterday the greatest question
decided which debated in America;
and a greater perhaps never was, nor will be,
decided among men. resolution passed
without dissenting colony. that these united
colonies are and OF right ought to be. free and
independent states" In the other. The second
day cf July 1916. will be the most memorable
epoch in the history OF America. am apt TO be
lieve that II will be celebrated by succeeding gen
eratlons as the great anniversary festival. 1t
ought to be commemorated the day Of deliver
ance by solemn acts OF devotion to God Almighty
It ought 70 be solemnized with pomp and parade
with shows, games, sports bells, bonfres and
Nominations from end Of this continent 70
the other. from this time forward forevermore
You will think me transported with enthusiasm
but | am not well aware OF the toll and
blood and treasure that 1t vii cost to main
tain this declaration and support and defend these
states Yet through all the gloom / the
rays OF raushing light and glory. can that
the end Is than worth all the means; and
that posterity will triumph In that days trans
action even though we should rue 1t. which trust
IN God we shall not"
Though posterfty selected instead OF July Q
July a. the day on which the formal Declaration