South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-06-30

Oy the then American congress. and
the old bell ringer On the belfry OF
Independence hall was the hrst 20
celebrate IT,
He had stationed his boy on the
foor below 10 announce 70 him the
joyful tidings OF the adoption OF
the declaration and long did he
wait for there seemed to be OBJ
jectors TO its passage as we'll as
sdvocators Of -. But at last the de
bate Was ended. and the die was
cast. and our great American repub-
lic began its history as a free ma
alton. And az last the little boy
standing below the father in the
belfry shouted up to him 70 Ring
Ring Then he rang with all his
might and soon the whole city OF
Philadelphia was alive with 10y
which continued 10 overflow during
the whole night which followed.
And year after year this day was
celebrated by the ringing OF bells.
the firing OF arms and the booming
or cannon.
Not many years passed however.
before some enterprising person be
gan the manufacture and sale OF
various devices 20 assist in making
this gala day more noisy, and at the
end OF the first century the real is
sue OF the glorious fourth had been
lost sight OF entirely and the max
ing OF noise was the predominant
feature OF the day.
The youngsters looked forward 20
the day for weeks and months when
they could have their fire-crackers
and other various noise makers The
boy with a "nigger-chaser" was as
proud in those days as a girl in
her spring bonnet And BY the time
the twentieth century had dawned
the day was indeed one OF revelry
and sport
In the past few years the sane
Fourth" issue has been somewhat
predominant. and now the insane
Fourth has passed into history
The progress OF time could not
allow this day OF all days this day
which ought 20 be sacred 20 the
hearts OF all American people. 10 be
exploited and misused; and when
the height OF its misuse had seem
ingly reached the zenith OF its ac-
tivities, reaction came. and those
who valued the sentiment OF the
work OF our forefathers far more
than the valued the wasted eff
forts Of irresponsible jewellers. they
instituted the saner Fourth; and a
more glorious Fourth, that the first
birthday OF our American republic
might be commemorated 20 those
makers OF history OF the seventeen
hundreds throughout all period Of
time.
\ BETTER CELEBRATION
How much better can we cele-
brate. than 10 celebrate quietly with
the reading OF the Declaration TO
bring back the memory of the long
ago. and 10 instiu within us new
purpose.
How much better can we cele-
brate than 90 call to our midst our
soldiers with their marches and
parades. and drills and maneuvers
as they bring TO our mind the real
zation that they are our protectors
How much better could we cele-
brate than 20 engage our bOys-the
growing men OF our communities
games and good clean sports for
this represents the highest degree Of
all physical manhood. and how can
We better build a nation OF free men
Ia nation or strong Intelligent
physical beings than TO give our
boys. our children. the outdoor ac-
tivites which is SO conducive TO
their physical welfare
How much better can we cele-
brate than 10 engage our girls aud
women in an hour Of song Song
and music delight the heart, allie
waite the oppressed and bring
gladuess TO the household Song is
rs the wine when II Is red, that slim
uIates the tired heart and brings
strength and cheer 10 the worn
body. II delights the soul. and our
nation could do no better than To be
n singing nation; doing worth while
things.
The first OF south Bends sane
Fourths was celebrated two years
sgo-at Rum Village Ii was ap-
propriate that that celebra ton
should have been held there. be-
cause Rum Village. or a part or il
no least. had just become city prop
erty through purchase.
Rum VILLAGE HISTORY
Perhaps a short history of Rum
Village would not become amiss
here. There are no better Legends
We can hand down 90 posterity
than true stories OF ancient history.
Ram Village is a beautiful spot.
situated among the rclling hills and
winding valleys just south or our
city It's slopes have been thickly
and luNuriautly overgrown with "a
dense forest has been the home OF
some OF our largest and fercest
wild animals. and many an Indian
has pitched his tent. and est3 blish-
cd mis- home and village there
about IT, Away back. possib be
fore the age OF man. as We see him
now. the hills Of Rum Village form
cd the south shore OF great river.
running from east 10 west. and II
man could have stood upon the
height OF Il he could have looked
over a broad expanse OF water sew
eral miles wide and hundred feet