Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-07
Saturday, July 7, 1917.
"Prayer Instead of Powder.


ton rather than celebration and fer
vor in place Of fireworks, have made
Independence Day Of 1917 pass into
history as unique in all the annals of
this town, according to official reports
OF the event that were today received
by the committee in charge. Few
fire, rackers popped, bonfires were
banned and fireworks foregone in ev-
cry borough of Greater New York, It
is reported but countless flags waved
INCREASINGLY hundreds Of orators
reused tense crowds, and patriotic
songs were shouted with wartime vim
from end to end Of the entire city.
Never before have New Torkers known
g Fourth Of July that approached TINS
one in the universal appeal to every
American here.-New York cores
rondence Of the Kennebec Journal.
The seriousness of war conditions
NAV have awakened the public con-
science, but true it is that the dream
Of a celebration" Of national indie
pendence in which common sense plays
a part. has been realized in this part
Of the world. Fires, accidents, drunk
en- brawls, agony for the sick, and
general abuse of responsibility were
absent from this years record of the
day. lie. US hope. whatever victories
may come to American arms, that we
may not return to the follies of the
past in expressing our appreciation of
independence.
The narrow bitterness that has been
kept alive in certain sources is as silly
and un-Christian as is the old manner
OF observing the anniversary Of our
triumph over the mother country. Des-
tiny would seem to have decreed that
our roads run in the same direction
and constantly closer.
We hope every one into whose
hands fell copy Of Fridays Kenne-
be Journal. read the words Of Arthur
j. Balfour British secretary of state
Tor foreign affairs who spoke. Thurs
day evening at the banquet of the
American Society in London Perhaps
no man in this generation more closely
represents the British heart than Ar
thur j. Balfour. His words are worth
repeating and the sentiment treasured
by Americans. In part, he said:
The whole world has for the 141
years which have elapsed since the
declaration of independence, watched
with admiration and witnessed the
greatest expansion in population
wealth. power ard material and spirit :
ual resources in the history of any ma
ton. We OF the British nation regard
this expansion with pride born of the
fact that the Is colonies were British
ana that 1t was the British wars with
Spain. Holland and France which gave
the /: colonies the opportunity 10 oe-
'eiop into a great country without
European interference
we cannot look back on the sepa ra =
ton OF England and the United States
as one OF our political successes No
doubt something could be said for those
on our side who fought for unity-this
is the cause to which Americans them
selves sacrificed rivers of blood. The
mistake We made was in supposing
unity possible without common free
dom. All l can say in excuse of nv
forefathers is that. utterly defective
as our colonial policy was, it was far
ahead OF any other country.
I do not grudge the glories Of
Washington and his soldiers. I have
40 tears for British defeat which end
ed in the triumphant establishment of
the American republic. My only re-
greet is that memory should carry anv
trace OF bitterness. Surely there is
none on our side. In true perspective
the past should not interfere with the
continuity Of history and the con-
siderations binding us together which
century by century must bind us clos
er.
II we are united in a great struggle
against power which seeks to destroy
the roots wherefrom we derive all our
strength. are we not bound thus for
ever and shall not our descendants saw
that the greatest result Of the world
war was the bringing together in a
common purpose and understanding
the sundered branches Of the English
speaking race"