Palisadian., 1925-07-03
MR. YczDK AfZIR 80 NF14RS
CQNZXN.zYzaL AR7HY-WEIS

In addition the American Farm Bureau fedora
tion through its As state federatcns and 1890
county farm bureaus, has planned for the nation
IAN old-fashioned Fourth of July, with big chick
en- dinner, flags. bands and speeches"
Wrote President Coolidge In a letter to o. e.
Bradfute, president of the American Farm Bureau
federation
1T was with great satisfaction that learned
Of the plans of the farm bureau to take the
lead In stimulating organized nationwide cele-
bration on the Fourth of July. The gathering to-
gether Of our farmers and townspeople In
these countrywide celebrations will give new
significance to the day. Probably no activity is of
more Importance than the encouragement and de-
velopment or our community life In the early
days In this country the church the center of
community life. Time and conditions have changed.
We are In need of social moral and spiritual as well
as economic community action. / truly think these
Fourth of July celebrations will play an important
part in the encouragement Of such community
spirit"
President Bradfute has this to say regarding the
farmers celebration
1t is particularly ntting that American farmer,
should take the lead through their own organiza-
tion in stimulating a great national uniform ceis-
bration the Fourth OF July, for it was Just 1850
years ago that a group of American farmers gath
the first shot in the great battle for American
Independence. From that day to this the American
Independence. More than one million farm famiiis.
are enrolled as members of county farm bureaua
And we are not limiting this celebration 70 fsrm
ers. We are asking each county farm bureau
to invite the cooperation and participation of
county. And the national organization is askns
for the assistance and cooperation of many ma
tional organizations
AS to the union Of Independence day and De-
fense day. the original proposition was to have
Armistce day made Defense day.
When the army general staff recommended in
May that Defense day and Armistice day be com.
bined, President Coolidge found to be opposed
to the plan. Armistice day, 1t was declared at the
White House by spokesman for the President
was that should be dedicated above all else
to consideration of peace Being the anniversary
of the day on which hostilities ceased in the most
destructive the world has ever known
Armistice day, President Coolidge thinks should
not be linked with official action Of any kind suy.
gestive of war.
The President. 1t was recalled by his spokes.
man. had just appealed forcibly to the nations OF
Europe to give a sincere demonstration of a will
to peace and to upbud their wartorn resources
He has repeatedly, since assuming charge of the
destinies of the United States proclaimed this
government to be most covetous of world peace
and anxious that America take the lead In point.
ing the way to peace and the material prosperity
which accompanies it. This being so, the prospect
of America choosing Armistice day for a DEM
onstration of its military arm is regarded BY
Mr.. Coolidge ais most inconsistent with his policy
of international relations.
Defense day last year was held in September
in the heat of the national political campaign and
quite furore raised concerning 1t by pacifist
organizations at the time. The President was not
opposed to taking stock Of the nations military re-
sources as was done on that occasion In co-opera-
tion with the states It was said by the spokes-
man. and he probably will not oppose an annual
inventory of that kind II is not proposed to
bi 1t with Armistice day.
Another objection TO the plan Is the fact that 1t
calls for voluntary action OF the people In re-