Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-07-03
ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONS
BIRTH

The United States made its debut
among the nations Of the world one
hundred and thirty-siX years ago to-
morrow after most of the colonies had
day after most Of the colonies had
passed through trying ordeals in fu-
lille attempts to make the mother
country understand that our forefath-
ers were British subjects and were en-
titled to some rights Brittania should
respect. Many representative Eng
lishmen sympathized with the colon
lists in their appeals for relief, while
others, equally as prominent, pretend
ed they saw nothing of which we
should complain. Old DR.. Samuel
Johnson, tory and churchman as he
was, wrote a pamphlet defendin gtaX-
alton without representation.
There was but one recourse, and
that was for our fo"efathers to be-
gin housekeeping on their own hook.
1t took them seven dreary years to
free themselves from the apron
strings of the mother country, and
eventually George III was forced to
renounce jurisdiction over the Amerl-
can colonies.
The history of the United States
from the close OF the revolutionary
war until the present time is an inter-
esting and instructive study In the
evolution Of the caterpillar into the
butterfly at the stage when the wings
appear, the insect for while i1uttefs
lpon the ground fearing to attempt
10 1v. 1t finally realizes its newly
acquired powers and is soon sailing III
the ali. For several years the infant
republic cowere and, like the late
Southern Com acy, merely asked
the privilege Of being allowed to live
and to be let alone. 1t took time 1or
the country to realize that 1t was the
treat American eagle destined to gaze
lpon the sun.
Great Britain was the a%greSsor al
first as she was in the second conflict
,or independence. At the close OF the
asst war England gradually allowed
herself to become rcconciled to the eX-
istcnce of another English speaking
nation.
The United States has passed
houch diverse scenes during the past
,ne hundred years. There have been
Zines when people realized the I'M
oortance of being Of one mind. On
portants of being Of one mind. On
one memorable occasion sectional is
sues resulted in interccne warfare
now regretted by al! classes.
The commissions incident to political
lisputes and divers opinions concern
!ng political economy have always,
more or less, menaced the peace OF
he country. The conditions which
now confront US are by no means as
surinc. There is trouble in the camps
of both political parties, and the scenes
At the conventions which have recent
" nominated candidates for the Presi-
lencv are to be dcplored. The Jug
ylery of political leaders, and the want
# confidence in others arc causing
MANY well meaning people to become
lisgusted with the Vaccinations OF
hose whose ambition is to ride into
power upon any hobby.
In by-gonc days the Fourth Of July
appealed to the mass from the fact
hat the bulk of the population were
Americans. columbia the Gem Of
he Ocean" and the Star Spangled
Banner" sent enthusiasm into every
soul.
Unfortunately in this day the greed
for wealth has frozen to great e%-
tent the patriotism of other years.
In the language OF the poet
Tho age u; virtuous politics is past
And I'VE are deep Ill That of cold pre-
t"'Ir..
Patriots have grown TOO shrcwd To bc
| sincere.
| ANA we too wise To trust them.