Palisadian., 1925-07-03

ficai viewpoint by association with 1t of Defense
day which is now struggling for recognition as
national annual event with fixed date 1t was
held for the first time September II, the anni-
versary of the Battle of st. Mihiel, in which the
A. e. f. won great offensive In the World war.
Defense day is In effect muster" and tryingout
of the various military agencies for national de-
fense II 1t is approved by the people, theoreticai-
iy Independence day is a fitting date for 1t, for
the Fourth Of July was the day Of local muster
all over the country in early times
Doubtless Independence day of 1926 will be the
exciting for there Is to be a nationwide
celebration under the auspices of the "Sesquicen-
tennial Commission of Independence of the United
States" to consist Of nineteen members. The
President and vice president and the speaker OF
the house ex-officio members The President
appoints eight members, the vice president four
senators and the speaker four representatives. IL
In the duty of the commission TO promugate to the
American people address and to prepare plans
Tor a celebration program In cooperation with the
officers Of all state, city, civic and patriotic COM
mittees appointed for the occasion. even asking
international participation If 1t sees fit
Moreover, Philadelphia is to have q celebration
Of its own In the form of an exposition to open
June / and last until the close of the year. 1t Is
a part of the plan to demonstrate In a graphic
manner the progress made in the United States
in the last half century-since Philadelphia's ia
NOUS centennial exposition. Other nations are ex-
pected to take part The main purpose back of the
display Is to encourage more intimate commercial
relationships, "and so hasten the coming Of uni
versai peace" The exposition is to occupy the en-
tire 200 acres of League island park In South
Philadelphia and 400 additional acres adjoining.
The city has provided for the building in the park
of stadium which will have seating capacity OF
more than 100000. Nine industrial buildings are
planned, as we'll structures to be erected by
scieptifc and other associations. 1t should be
good show, for the United States has advanced
tremendously in a thousand ways since 1876
President Coolidge has recommended to con-
gress favorable consideration of a request by
Mayor Kendrick of Philadelphia, that the federal
government participate in this sesquicentennial
celebration. Mayor Kendrick asked for the
designation of the secretaries of states and COM
merce to represent the national government at
the exposition; the appointment of an advisory
commission of 1OS members composed of two rep
resentatives of each state and territory; authori
cation of the coining of 100000 $150 special gold
pieces; 1,OOO,OO0 so cent silver pieces. and new
one dollar bill depicting the signing of the Declara
ton OF Independence.
Nevertheless, 1925 as Fourth of July year has
all sorts of thrills for the good American. First
On the list was the celebration of the Lexington
and Concord fights of April 10. Boston and its
environs made much of 1t. Vice President Dawes
and General Pershlng were central figures. Cen
eral Dawes is the great great-grandson Of William
Dawes Jr., who shared with Paul Revere the
glory of the Midnight Ride" One rode one way
ant the other another, spreading the alarm and
meeting at Lexington to 20 together to Concord
1t was inspiring sight-when the Dawes OF
1925 and the Dawes of ITS met and exchanged
greetings The stirring scenes Of one hundred and
fifty years ago were re-enacted there were patri-
otic addresses galore historic spots and the
radio carried it all to the people.
Then there were these one hundred and tftieth
anniversaries to attract attention: May TO- the
capture of Ticonderoga by Allen and Arnold;
May 90 the Mecklenburg Declaration at Charlotte
N. c.; June 1, the beginning of Kentucky under
Daniel Boone; June IT, Bunker Hill. 1t was on
July that Gen. George Washington took COM
nland of the Continental armies at Cambridge
Mass. as commander In chief by virtue of ap-
pointment Of congress; the anniversary is to ba
made much OF by Boston