Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-07-08
A DISSERTATION OF
INDEPENDENCE DAY

To properly understand what am now in
tending to explain, we must go back in mind to
the 4th Of July. 1776-one hundred and tnirty-
six years ago-and try to look at the spirit Of
our ancestors, who were in the heat OF the
struggle to throw off the yoke of Great Britain,
and TO secure TO their descendants the blessings
of civil ard religious liberU-in these United
States.
Y They were beset by British troops in all the
large cities-menaced by hostile Indians and
surrounded by tory influences wherever they
went.
The thirteen colonies had entered upon most
terrible and risky contest, because George Wash
ington would have been hung a traitor TO
his country II the struggle had failed
These old colonial patriots took their lives
in their hands when they assembled il the
city Of Philadelphia and stood ready and wait
ing to affix their names to the Declaration Of
Independence--on the 4th Of July, 1TTo.
Acting for their respective states, they had
travelled 10y painful effort to this place OF
general assembling-for their railroads,
no telegraphs and telephones in that day
and time They might get there on foot or
on horseback. time enough being given them, or
by chance If they reached stage coach line,
they might travel little faster and little
easier a part Of the way, by paying ten cents
But they got there by Indian trails and over
swollen streams and through unknown perils
from Is colonies, until they each and all
rived in the city OF Brotherly Love and were
prepared TO hurl defiance in the face Of Great
Britain by issuing declaration OF Independence
as a strong and mighty protest against the
| tyrant George Iva ruler who aimed and ex-
pected to increase bis wealth and power by
supreme control of the helpless American colo
mics.
Unless we can asslmilate this self-sacriticins
condition and take into our understandings what
these brave men assumed to do under huge
difficulties we never appreciate what they
risked when they signed their names TO that
4th Of July declaration Of Independence In the
year Of our Lord 17I6. III they failed TO make
good they must go into exile-they knew-or
die a. traitors on the gallows tree. 1t was
enough 10 make brave men stop and think; and
have no doubt but they did look at their
danger with hearts full of anxiety as well as
courage They walked to the forefront Ike
little David approached the mighty Goiiatn,
with nothing but few stones from the brook
to curb the naughty insolence OF Great Britain
Every name signed to that declaration on tnat
memorable 4th OF July, 1776, should be craven
I'm letters of gold, with an iron PENN the
rock forever-On the forefront OF the capeo Al
the city Of Washington
neonls which can forget 10 honor their
memorv and land their patriotism is not far
from hopeless degeneracy. / sadly fear mat we
have totally lost their enthusiasm and are unit
inc aovnward toward national rum In our for
getfulness.
Perhaps you win call pessimist, one who
looks on the dark side Of situation out was
so Disguised that the celebration OF the four.n
Of July. with all that date stands Tor, snouio
be giver chief attention by permitting prulai
onA
in the far west and that every telegraph wire
an those United States occupied Dy the
news from Reno on yesterday afternoon, that
felt like crying every time 1 thought Oh GU
bravo ancestors. who would have stamped suen
proceedings under foot and forbidden such oruta-
exhibitions Of mems bad passions as unworthy
of human kind In the year 1IIo.
said in my humble prayers to Almighty Sou'
ooh Father forgive these forgetful ones VINO
have cast aside what is due to themselves ana
20 the women and children Of these United
States that they should thus debase our inoe-
incidence day in so vile manner
II 7 could have found place where might
have implored our wives and mothers 10 reouke
this upholy and unseemly spirit OF oestiai oru-
t,Iitv would have gone there and on Bonded
knees have thus addressed them
Nv heart is sick with apprehension, as 10
the trend of such open manifestations OF low
doun bestiality-and its influence upon the
voptb of this country. Yesterday morning the
gIsriug headlines in the newspapers told OF
coming fight between 1.-THE white son OF
nreaeber and the black son of slave mother
y !, not enough TO make us hide faces in
dismay and cry aloud to Almighty God: Save
rs-save M. from the errors and inhumanities
OF mankind!'
rom 4 o'clock o. m. until the people
mean the men and boys-stood with glar-
inc ewes and open mouths watching the bull
1etin boards TO discover II the slaye-notners
black son had beaten the son OF a Wnite
preacher, into liyid mush and Dioouy geAy.
Ana This was the holiday occasion OF great
free people-and this travesty on patrlotsm
was the best offering that eighty millions OF
CO. born Americans could furnish 10 witness
Inc nations on both henispheres. What are
we coming to. men and brethren: In the name
of all that is good or pure or ioveb
excellent or of good report-what does this de-
basement of our national character mean any
Are we become insensible to privileges
os free horn Americans: Have we abandoned
~ oyceIIencieS of a boosted civilization to
make such a bestial holiday the choice OF our
Cwn PEOPLE?
outcome Of the race problem-when the 1000
gamblers. pocket thieves. low-down sports ana
brutalized human beings were permitted 70 Iur,
nisb such an exhibition OF coarse passion ana
brutal force and to desecrate the Fourth OF
Julv with its great. and may truly say, aoiy
memories, TO such low purpose; and nave our
American statesmen. our lawmakers and our
judiciary weakly yielded and permitted this
desecration to go on, regardless OF what we are
oSIIqed 10 recognize race conflicts as the great
eat menace TO our white race and Vaunted CIV
ilization?
thing in nv entire life OF three-quarters OF q
century that was more ominous or rate Dur
dened to my mind particularly, as regards our
national progress -
We seem to have become nation OF whfted
sepulchers-fair on the outside, but on tne IN
SIDE filled with political rottenness and the
bloody nsssions Of bestalized men OF ooth
black and white races. -
II I had any voice anywhere-except Win
this feeble pen-I'd beg our Georgia people TO
call FOR a day OF fasting and PRAYER IN this our
national extremity; because we have Forgotten
or abandoned what our forefathers bequeathed
10 MS and have let ourselves down 10 pubic
exhibition OF our own dtsrsdation Give Us
hill fights-if we must do the stunt OF hrItss
Nav God help us TO see our own decay.