Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-07-03


mankind requires that they should declare
the causes which impel them to the sepa-
ration.
"HUS wrote Thomas Jefferson for
the Continental congress in the
famous Declaration of lndepend-
ence. II was signed at Independence
hall, Philadelphia, July /, 17T6. With
the pealing of Old Liberty bell that
summer day the birth Of Il new nation
was announced. Like her sturdy sons,
that nation was conceived in hardship
Her heritage of devotion to principle
was the noblest gift brought by the
Mayflower. Innate courage grew fear
less in the face Of constant danger
and her sons grew skillful by constant
toll. They craved not courtier favors
but demanded the right to develop
along the lines Of new democracy the
nation then born. Contact with the
wilderness had taught them that
IT'S as easy to be heroes as to sit the idle
slaves
OF legendary virtue carved upon our faith
ers graves.
For them to be convinced was as
though the thing had been decreed of
God. They were convinced and they
proclaimed their birthrght by declar-
ing their independence and then fight
Ing for it against one Of the proudest,
strongest nations Of the earth.
Nation Wholly Worthy.
II was inevitable that such begin
ming should produce a nation of stall
warts. What they lacked in knightli-
ness they made up in nanliness. De-
votion to principle left no room for
compromise with policy. The result was
people chosen by fitness for great
place in the economy of the worlds
progress.
At this season we celebrate the an
niversary of the nations birth. The
14G anniversaries since then hive not
all been to our credit. We have turned
from the serious to the frivolous, the
national birthday has become II carni-
val. In the name of patriotism all
kinds of folies have been permitted.
Instead of real honor to the nation the
day has been made an occasion for
gain People have made for themselves
hardship in vain attempt to have
more noise than their neighbors make.
fitting' Celebrations.
But we rejoice in the change to be
noticed in the way of observing the
nations birthday People are begin
ming to see that noise is not patriotic
and that the youth of the present neet
Il better ideal of Independence day
In most of the large cities men OF
prominence and foresight are arrang
/ ING for public games. Whit could bt
more fitting for the nations birthday
| We should be nation of athletes
/ there is no day better than July 4 for
| arOusing the latent strength of man
hood or exhibiting what is already de-
veloped. Surely the parks should ring
with the best music our bands can
produce. Men gifted with power to
sway the m1ltiiudes should this day
tell what the nation stands for and
pay tribute to those who are
Slow to snite and swift to spare,
Gentle ana mcrcifu and just!
Who, in the fear Of God, do bear
The sword of power, Il nations trust.
Today we are in need of pGtri-
otism as great as that of '76. VIE oc-
casion is different and the problem re-
quires greater wisdom in its solution.
II is n satisfaction to remember that
the national sword has mover been
lifted in conquest The glory Of the
starry flag is that she is an emblem of
freedom of conscience, religion and
civil liberty, Except in the cause of
humanity she has never lFen in battle.
Not all that has been done llndcr her
is worthy Of praise, but it is safe to
say that few nations have Il inore un-
selfish record