Denver labor bulletin., 1918-07-06
THOUSANDS THRONG CITY
PARK AT FORMAL EXER-
CISES IN DENVER.
President Wilson's Address Read
by Governor Gunter and the
Crowd Enthuses When Band
Plays Anthems of the
Allied Nations.

A wave of patriotic fervor spread
over Colorado Thursday in celebrating
the 142d anniversary of this nations
birth In every city and hamlet
there were exercises pledging renewed
devotion to the righteous cause of
humanity for which the United States
of America is fighting.
All the parks of Denver were
crowded, and the day was an ideal
one for picnic parties and auto trips
to the mountains.
Twenty thousand voices singing
america" in City park Fourth of
July night was Denver's pledge of
allegiance to the United States and its
principles, a, pledge revived and re-
signed on the anniversary of the natal
day of the worlds greatest democra-
cy, pledge made the more solemn
and imp ressive after years deliber-
alton anu preparation as a result of
the active participation of this coun-
principles which invoked the war of
the revolution,
With sprinkling of uniformed SOL
diers thruout the vast audience.
standing at attention and salute while
the anthem was being played, a pic
ture of patriotism, a picture of sacri-
fice was painted by those who at
tended the program which was given
under the auspices of the Colorado
Patriotic League. 1t was a solemn.
and significant occasion, made doubly
impressive by the thoughts of the mil
lion young men of this country who
are now billeted "over there" the ad-
vance guard of mighty army of de-
mocracy which this country has prom
ised to our allies.
Wilson's Words Cheered.
As the words of President Wilson.
as set forth in his many speeches in
which our plans and our purposes for
the establishment of democracy on a
strong foundation in those countries
now oppressed by a frenzied ruler,
were given to the assemblage by Gov
ernor j. c. Gunter, cheer after cheer.
hurrah after hurrah, was the response
of the crowd. No more fitting vote
of appreciation of the citizenry of
Denver could have been taken than
their plaudits.
Tho thousands were unable to crowd
close enough to the platform to hear
what the speakers were saying, as
the cheers from those in front were
waited backward by the breezes thew
were taken up until there did not re-
main stilled voice in the entire
crowd
No greater demonstration of the
patriotism of Denver audience ever
was displayed than that which oc-
CURED when the tri-color of France,
the union jack of England ard the
Stars and Stripes of America were
unfurled to the breeze as the munich
pal band played the "Marseillaise,"
"Rule Britannia" and ''The Star
Spangled Banner"
Is Fitting Finale
The program. which had been pre-
pared and recommended by the ma
tional council of defense, approved by
the state council of defense and man
aged by the Colorado Patriotic League.
was carried out as originally planned
and formed fitting finale to Dem
ver's 100 per, cent patriotic, safe-and-
sane Fourth of July. The celebration
was in keeping with the request of
President Wilson that the day be set
aside for the pledging of allegiance
and fealty to the flag and the princi-
piles for which it stands, a day set
aside for solemn thought of the mil
hon young men now engaged in a
warfare a million times greater than
that of the revolution.
Patriotism Rampant.
The patriotism of Denver was ram
pant at the meeting. patriotism that
had its course thru more elevating
and educational channel than those
of previous years when hundreds
thronged the park to witness the gil
gantic fireworks displays. There was
not a person in attendance at the
meeting Thursday night who did not
leave with a more thoroly American
spirit and feeling Of love for his coun-
try than when he first entered the
park
The meeting was an inspiration, a
plea, a request akin to demand that
Americans pledge anew their allegi-
ance to their flag and their country
on the anniversary Of the founding Of
the worlds greatest democracy.