The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1914-04-02

ness and beauty, and the combination
of these in their highest development is
perfection. Baltimore possesses them
all, and in high state of development,
too. Baltimore is great because her
early destinies were laid out and guided
by men of genius, integrity and public
spirit. They builded for the future and
laid groundwork on which succeeding
generations, with the example of their
predecessors before their eyes and the
love of their city and her institutions
firmly implanted in their hearts, have
reared a structure grand in its outlines,
graceful in detail, and everlasting in it's
architecture.
Baltimore is good because her people
are moral, sober, Industrious and i'm
bued with a deep sense of gratitude to,
and trust in, the Source whence cometh
every good and perfect gift. Balti-
more Is beautiful because having been
founded on site of great natural beauty
those who built the city exercised taste
and judgment.
From a physical STANDPOINT, Balti-
more is truly a queen among cities.
The geographical situation places it too
far south for the severe winters; and
yet it is too far north to allow any in
trusion of disease or the epldemlcs that
have been common in more Southern
cities.
If you were to ask me what | con-
sidered the most pleasing thing about
Baltimore, think would say the po-
likeness and courtesy of It's people.
They are all courteous and affable, and
l have had perfect stranger stop,
walk four or five squares with me and
make himself sure that understood the
direction he gave me, when l asked the
location of some building.
In speaking to you OF the history,
growth and success of our metropolis, |
feel that | should also touch upon her
tragedy. The great Baltimore fire in
1904 is probably fresh in the memory of
you ALL When tell you that one hun
bred and forty acres of the business
district were burned over and that fif-
teen hundred and twentY-siX buildings
and four lumber yards were DESTROYED,
you can form some idea of what the fire
really was had an occasion to visit
the city shortly after the fire and unless
one were actually on the scene, no pro-
per conception of the utter waste and
desolation can be had. Block after
block of substantial business buildings
were demolished; all land marks obliter-
ated and 1t was an easy matter to be-
come lost and bewildered in the barren
waste. Buildings that were considered
freproof crumbled and fell like house
of cards. In less than two days proper
ty worth at least $50, 600, 900 was totally
destroyed. Today no trace of the fire
remains. Baltimore was stunned but
only for a short time, and like all good
red blooded Americans, her citizens,
refusing all outside aid, set out to make
good the loss they had sustained Larger
and better buildings, wider and more
beautiful streets have taken the place
of those that were lost, and the great
Baltimore fire remains only as a men,
ory.
We could not leave the history of our
without speaking of the part
she took in the war Of the Revolution
and in the war of 1872 While not the
scene of active hostilities during the
Revolution, Baltimore furnished many
brave soldiers. Is there boy IN Mary
land who is not proud to know that the
people of Long Island still point out to
strangers the spot where half of the
Maryland battalion stemmed the ad-
vance of the British army. Don't you
like to think of Maryland's four humid
red under command of Major Gist, after
all the other troops to make
their escape, advancing against Corn
wallis brigade. And, as they advanc-
ed with fixed bayonets upon this over
whelming force, don t you like to rem
ember that the Great Washington ex-
claimed Good God, what brave fellows
l must this day loose" Don't you
like to remember that this little band
of soldiers charged the powerful forces
of CORVALLIS five times, and each time
were driven back. There was no lack
of determination, no lack of courage IN
the men of Maryland, and at the sixth
charge the columns Of the British army
began to waiver and to give way in
1t was in the War of 1912, however,
that Baltimore took high rank, and
this war was really our second war for
independence. 1t was won on the sea,
not on land, and in it's prosecution the
American Navy earned its reputation
for skill and bravery, which it has
maintained to this time. Did you know
that the first two cruisers of the pres
ent navy were built in Baltimore?
Our metropolis has really earned rep
utation as the CITY of First Things
Tho fret 70 he