The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-07-05

Speaking at Athletic park yesterday
afternoon, Judge D. W. Comstock
said ~ -
To those of our older citizens, in
whose youthful days the observance
of the Fourth of July was more of an
event than now, this occasion must be
one Of unusual interest.
My earliest memory of the day re-
calls the roar of the old cannon
brought out from its shelter for the
past year, for the accustomed Is
rounds in honor Of the day. The
parade OF the militia; the stirring
music OF the fife and drum; the grand
dinner during which the boys were
permitted to chase the flies, "a covet-
ed office, while the men in uniform
ate and with the privilege Of eating at
the second table after the heroes had
been satisfied.
Speeches Followed.
Tho speeches which were sure to
follow, speeches full of loftiest senti-
ment; recital OF great achievements,
and OF prophecies Of the future great
ness of the country. In those days
the functions in addition to lighting
again the fires Of patriotism were
eventful social rcunions-they were
occasions in which, in the language of
Burns, The bonds Of old friendship
and kindred were so set that the
bonds grew tighter the more they
were wet" Doubtless many a young
American. since distinguished in the
public service, on these occasions re-
in, hn l,,t ,f
the citizen, ard his earliest impress
ions Of the obligations he owed the
founders Of the Republic. Celebra-
tions III those days were more inter
esting If not more profitable than now
because they were nearer the stirring
events they We're designed TO recall;
for here and there was to be found
some venerable man, a soldier OF the
Revolution, who was made the cen
trail figue OF the gathering, one who
had fought under the eyes of the
Father of his Country, perhaps been
near his person-it may be have
touched his hand, and thus formed a
living link between the present and
the past.
Boys Stand Uncovered.
Men and boys of the newer genera
t!on stood uncovered in the presence
OF such an one and fastened to antici,
pate his slightest want,
instruction then came more through
oral speech than by the press-utter-
ances of the orator were not as now
anticipated by the daily paper; the
public teacher Is now the writer
rather than the orator, and is oftener !
found in the editorial sanctum than |
On the platform.
Contests in which the relative ply |
steal strength OF local celebrities was
settled, sometimes added attraction |
TO the day--contests without gloves !
and unlimited as 10 rounds. but the !
day ended with a deeper apprecia- |
ton of the greatness of the country, |
and a profounder love of its institu-
tons. II is not surprising that when
youth and age annually listened to
the glowing tributes paid their great
sires, and heard only encomiums of
their virtues, that they felt an exalted
idea Of their own worth, and the
greatness Of the country which was
their heritage II is not surprising
that we were easily persuaded and
carly in life believed that we were
the greatest, the freest and the best
nation on tn earth. Speaking for my
self. it was the honest belief of my
childhood, a belief confirmed and
by observation since
T y pride entertained by our people
In our Revolutionary ancestry was
amply justified in their great deeds
and lives. There were no vain carpet
knights; unlike modern politicians
they thought first of their country
hen Of themselves. They We're YER
5atile men, like the most eminent
Romans. without their brutality.
They could command states or armies,