Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-07-05
GRAFTON
AND PAGEANT
Wonderful Spectacle at
Night.
THE ADDRESS.
Congressman Philip p. Campbell
Made Forceful Address in
Afternoon,

The Bridgeton Commercial League
Fourth of July demonstration was a
most remarkable celebration of the
nations birthday. Wholly in keeping
with this epoch making time the
events of yesterday were dignified
and earnest, thoughtful and sincere.
There was little attempt to make
merry. Men and women were think
ing of the war service for their sons
and daughters, and young men were
giving heed to the duty that is before
them. 1t was this spirit that yester-
day pervaded this community and the
entire demonstration provided bv
the Commercial League was impress
sive.
Over On the West Jersey Academy
grounds Immediately following the
parade, three thousand or more peo-
pie gathered in front of the canvas
covered stand upon which one of the
foremost Congressman of the United
States made a thoughtful address.
Sitting about him were a few repre-
sentative men, members of the Grand
Army, Boy Scouts and hundreds of
school children. The latter sang pa
triotic selections, adding much to the
interest of the proceedings.
Congressman Campbell is eloquent
and forceful. He is logical in his ar
guments and those who heard his dis
cussion got new viewpoint of the
war and the causes that led up to
the participation in the struggle of
the United States. Not for moment
did interest lag Everyone hung up
on each word that the Congressman
uttered. Eloquent, splendid carry
ing voice, he was interesting
instructive. There was no rout, none
of the old tricks of the professional
Fourth of July orator. He had some
thing to say and said it convincingly
His entire speech was argument He
was not amusing, but instructive He
dwelled particularly upon the war
and led up to the present crisis. Much
that he sal was an information that
had not been generally impaired to
the public. He spoke as the man that
knew. AS his speech gave more and
more of the recent and rapid recur-
ring history, he declared that this
country was not in war of our choice.
We had not sought war. We were
now a part of the worlds bloodiest
struggle of necessity. In closing his
remarkable address he declared that
the imperative demand was for ev-
ieryone to do their duty in each emer-
gency that arises.
At night at Tumbling Dam Park
from the speakers stand over the lake
Congressman Campbell spoke briefly.
He was charmed with the splendor of
the scene all about him. He mar
yelled as he sat upon the platform
and gazed upon the great crowds of
people and when he was presented to
speak he frankly said that he could
not attempt speech such as he had
made in the afternoon. Rather he
told the people how he had been
charmed with the raceway and the
lake. No where other than in Venice
could the scene of last night be re-
produced. He said he had been out
among the farms near here, and he
had never. seen more remarkable
ones. e"You have all these things, he
sal, "what more could you ask" He
paid tribute to the hospitality of the
people he had met and he declared
that in going away from here he was
going to talk about Bridgeton and
Bridgeton people and tell the world
of the wonderful advantages here.
President of the League w. H. Ba-
con presided at each of the meetings
and presented the Congressman. At
night to took occasion in following
the Congressman to talk in serious
vein of the situation confronting the
world, and he held the great audience
as he told of sending our boys away
to give their lives for the perpetua-
ton of the government founded by the
forefathers. In closing his brief ad-
dress, Mr.. Bacon took occasion to
thank everyone for their participation
and effort in making the day sue
cess. eBa faGIsyylIs