La Junta tribune., 1917-04-05
PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION
Vast Concoursc Of People Assemble
in Court House Park to Listen
to Patriotic Addresses

La Junta and all Colorado has
been stirred by the call to the ma
tons defense. This was evidenced
by magnificent gathering at the
court house park last Monday even
ing to listen to patriotic addresses
by Judge Mcdaniel, DR.. Robinette,
of the Fort Lyon Naval Hospital and
others. The meeting was Immediate
ly preceded by big parade which
formed on Colorado avenue in front
OF the Columbian school building at
$3.50 o'clock. Headed by the La Jun
Ia band and Immediately followed by
a delegation of veterans OF the civil
war, sailors from the naval hospital
at Fort Lyon. boy scouts, and
magnificent representation of school
children, waving flags. with hun
dred or more automobiles bringing
up the rear, the procession marched
down Colorado avenue to First
street, being illuminated en- route by
vari-colored fusees generously do
mated by the Santa Fe, and present.
ing a brilliant and inspiring light.
The streets were thronged with peo-
pie along the line OF march to First
street, west on First to Santa Fe and
then south to the court house park
where the multitude gathered
around the grand stand gaily deco
rated with the national colors to
listen to stirring and patriotic ad-
dresses.
After the band had played a num-
ber of patriotic airs, in the grand
stand. the meeting was called to or
der by Mayor Lamb. and immediate
ly followed with prayer by Rev.
Father Dilly. which was so patriotic
and fervent that 1t ELECTED applause.
Judge Mcdaniel was then intro
duced and prefaced his remarks by
calling the attention of the audience
to sweet-faced elderly lady sitting
In the speakers stand. and told
them that she was the widow OF
Adm4rai Fox. who had served forty
thres years in the United States
navy.
He began his remarks with the fa-
miliar quotation. from the Lay OF
the Last MINSTREL:
"Brcathes there the man with
soul so dead
Who never to himself hath said,
This Is my own my native land!
Whose heart has nc'er within
him burn'd.
As home his footsteps he hath
turnd.
From wandering on foreign
strand,
II such there breathe. 20. mark
him well:
For him no minstrel raptures
swell;
High though his titles, proud his
name.
Boundlcss his wealth as wish can
claim:
Despite those titles. power and
pelf.
The wretch eoncentered all IN self.
Living, shalt forfeit fair renown.
And, doubly dying. shall 20 down
To the vile dust. from whence hc
sprung,
unwept. unhonored and unsung.
NO people on earth have greater
reason TO love their country than
Americans. Here the citizen IL a SOW
ercign. Not only does the law cast
upon him the duty. but clothes him
with the power OF exercising soyer-
eighty. This. therefore. is his
sovereign right TO be consulted con-
corning the business OF government.
President Wilson has been oriil-
cised because he has recognized this
right. From the last issue OF tho
Outlook" ! quote this editorial ut
teranee: "A part OF the price that
free peoples have TO pay for FREQ
government " tina, sometimes they
bring upon themselves a government
whose leaders do not lead. but who
have to be drawn
III you have paid attention to tho
acts and utieranccs Of President
Wilson you have learned that hs
seeks at all times 10 obey the Will
OF the people when Il can be ascer-
tained. There In no provision for
n national referendum so that tho
president must ascertain public sea-
timcnt from the expressions Of poe-
uiar opinion In the newspaper. Of
the land. and public gatherings such
as this.
But this criticism Of The Ont.