New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1918-07-06

Gil of Defense should receive tn.
thanks of the community for hav
ing provided such an entertain
ment for our citizens.
! The Presidents s Fourth of july
letter: ~.fx',.< j i
Gentlemen of the Diplomatic
Corps and My Fellow Citizens.
am happy to draw apart with you
to this quiet place of old counsel
in order to speak a little of the
meaning Of this day of our na,
tion's independence. The place
seems very still and remote. 1t
is as serene and untouched by the
hurry Of the world as it was in
those great days long ago when
General Washington was here
and held leisurely conference with
the men who were to be- asso-
ciated with him in the creation of
a nation. From these gentle
slopes they looked out upon the
world and saw it whole, saw it
with the light of the future upo,
it., saw it with modern eyes that
turned away from a past which
men of liberated spirits could no
longer endure.
Not Place of Death.
"It is for that reason that we
cannot feel, even here, in the i'm
mediate presence of this sacred
tomb, that this is place of death.
It was a place of achievement. A
great promise that was meant for
all mankind was here given plan
and reality. The associations by
which we are here surrounded are
the inspiriting associations of that
noble death which is only a glor-
ious consummation. From this
green hillside we also ought to be
able to see with comprehending
eyes the world that lies about us
and should conceive anew the pur-
poses that must set men free.
''It is significant-significant Of
their own character and purpose
of the influences that they wece
setting afodt- that Washington
and his associates, like the barons
at Runnymede. spoke and acted,
not for a class, but a. people. It
has been left for us to see to it,
that it shall be understood that
they spoke and acted, not for
single people only, but for all
mankind. They were thinkin5,
not Of themselves and Of the ma
terial interests which centered in
the little groups Of landholders
and merchants and men of affairs
with whom they were accustomed
to act, in Virginia and the colonies
Of the north and south Of her,
but of a people which wished 10
be done with classes and special
interests and the authority Of
men whom they had not them
selves chosen to rule over them.
They entertained no private pur-
pose, desired no peculiar privilege.
They were consciously planning
that men Of every class should be
free and America a place to which
men out of every nation might
resort who wished to share with
hem the rights and privileges Of
free men. And we take our cue
from them, do we mott
Privilege to Fight for Liberty.
eve intend what they intended.
We here in America believe our
participation in this present war
% be only the fruitage Of what
hey planted. Our case differs
rom theirs only in this, that it IS
'ur inestimable PRIVILEGE to con-
ert with men out Of every nation
What shall make not only the lib y
rites of America secure but the
iberties of every other people as
Jell. We are happy in the thought |
hat we are permitted to do what
hey would have done had they
cen in our place.
There must now be settled
nee for all what was settled for
.merica in the great age uponl
hose inspiration we draw today. !
This is surely a fitting place !
rom which calmly 20 look out .