Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1918-07-15
RELIGIOUS.POLITICAL FREEDOM

The anniversary OF the demolition
of the Bastile in Paris July II, 1899,
was observed throughout the United
States Yesterday. Appropriate ex-
ercises were held under the shadow
of the Washington Monument, invok-
ing the shades of Lafayette, Roc':a"l-
beau and other patriotic Frenchmen
WHO crossed the great deep to aid !!le
American colonies in achieving th2ls
independence. The statue of Liberty
enlightening the world, in New Iori;
karbor, the gift of the French people
looked on as Freedom was being celc-
brated, as did that of Jeannie dare
in Paris.
While there was no public demon
stration in Alexandria, the souls of
our people went out to our brethren
in France who are now engaged IN
the work of Kidding the country Of an
army of despcradocs who rival say
ages in their work of rapine and MR.
der.
Alexandria should have celebrated
Bastile Day. The great Lafayette
visited our city in 1925, passing ovor
Washington street on his visit to
Mount Vernon. He was entertained
in our city, and left greatly impressed
with the people of Alexandria.
In the Second Presbyterian Church
yesterday--the government Of which
is strictly democratic-the tri-color OF
france had been placed over the keys
of the organ. The gentle zephyTs kept
the flag futtering and the organiSt.
as prelude, rendered the Marseillaisa
Hymn. The tune was an inspiration,
and as it's notes rose the congregation
became enthused. This national hymn
of the French was brought to t,.c
birth after the revolution was well
under way. Our "Star Spangled Ban
ner" was the outcome Of the second
war for independence.
The minister, the Rev. DR.. John Lee
Allison, upon ascending the pulpit
read from Luke ", the following
verses taken from Isaiah In, the
same which were read by the Saviour
of Mankind II the synagogue at Naz-
areth nearly nineteen centuries ago.
'''The spirit of the Lord God is upon
me because He hath anointed me TO
preach the gospel to the poor; he hath
sent me to heal the broken-hcarted, 10
preach deliverance 20 the cap;ives, ana
recovering of sight to the blind: ~
set at liberty them that are bruised;
to preach the acceptable year of The
Lord"
Bible students have called attention
to the fact that the Lord stopped at
comma, which is suggestive, as those
who may examine the portion OF
Isaiah from which He read, will find
these momentous words follow: "And
the day of vengeance of our God"
This day Of vengeance is in store for
the power which i; now warrin~
against civilization.
The minister after having read
these appropriate verses proclaimed
Jesus Christ rs the Great Enamel
pator. and his words were listened to
with close attention.
me destruction OF the Bastlle was
one Of the first acts Of the French to-
ward eliminating the stone structure
of horror which had Tor many years
disgraced the banks of the Seine. Dun
geons below the rivers bed were the
abodes of innocent people for years.
Here they passed most cf their lives
amidst slime and rats awaiting 4
tine when naughty aristocracy
Roulj consent to their release.
4 weak I-ing-Louis XvI-and
z hauChty woinan-Marie Antoinette
Ibis queen, were ruling France. The
woman was generally known 70 the
- 1890 e.