The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1915-07-02

FREEDOM.


As on that old July
When first our fathers took the vow.
The bluebird, stained with earth and sky,
Shouts from a blowing bough
| In green. aerial freedom, wild and high,
| And now, as then, the bobolink
| Out on the uncertain brink
| OF the swaying maple swings.
Loosing his song out link by golden link.
While over the wood his proclamation
rings,
A daring boast that would unkingrlom
kings.
Even so the wild birds sang on bough and
wall
That day the bell of independence Hall
Thundered upon the world the word OF
The word of God uttered when the world
began
That day when liberty began to be
And mighty hopes were out on land and
sea.
then:
1t is an endless battle to be free
AS the old dangers lessen from the skies
New dangers rise.
Down the long centuries eternaily,
Again. again will rise Thermopylae:
Again. again, new Leonidas
Must hold for God the imperiled pass,
AS the long ages run
New Lexington will rise on Lexington
And many a valorous Warren fall
Upon the imperiled wall.
Man is the conscript Of an endless quest.
A long divine adventure without rest,
A holy war. battle yet unwon
When he shall climb beyond the burnt
out sun,
Each hard-earned freedom withers to
~ bond;
Freedom forever is beyond beyond.
Edwin Markham in The Independent.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ~-e-~~~-~-~~~~-~~->--
of entertainment and amusement are
observed. but this in itself is a re-
markable fact, for the natives take
part in the festivities with gusto. A
baseball game between an American
and Filipino team Is generally fea-
ture. and it is cfowding the cockpit OF
the boards. Drills by Filipino scout
and constabulary start many pro-
gram, and in the provinces the native
governor gives a reception and dance
to the American and prominent Span
ish and Filipino residents OF his pro-
vincial capital
Typical American parades, given
color by Filipino participation, are
held in Manila, Iloilo. Cebu. Albay.
Zamboanga and even In the small
towns. In Manila everything in the
way of refreshments and amusements
is free to all children. whether they
be Americans, Filipinos, Europeans.
Chinese. Japanese, Indians or whatnot.
In Manila the day is not complete
without q special band concert on the
Luneta in the evening by the famous
constabulary band, composed of eighty
skillful native musicians. who have
been trained by an American negro
from Boston, until they are recognized
as one of the best bands in the world.
They made special trips from Manila
to play at the Inauguration of Presi-
dents Roosevelt and Taft To our Fill
Pine wards, "cuatro de Julio" is
great fiesta
"Open House" Abroad.
Wherever an American minister.
consul or any other official representa-
tive has his abode abroad, there will
be found open house on July 4. AS
rule. reception, followed perhaps by
q dance or concert, make up the
days formalities. In London, Paris
and Berlin the celebrations are quite
elaborate.
In far western Canada, where there
q big sprinkling of Americans, the
day is made a great deal of. In the
mining province of British Columbia
he town OF RossIand was for years
more American than Canadian. Dur
ng the Yankee reign it was natural
hat all tracks should be cleared for
he Fourth. and rock drilling contests.
he miners favorite. furnished plenty
" excitement In Alaska. Indian wa
er sports and fea.s OF daring, log
'olling contests in the water. and dog
aces are the principal numbers on
he program.