Milford chronicle., 1954-07-02
FOURTH OF JULY: MEMORIAL
TO COURAGE


We cannot know what the Fathers of this
Republic would think of us in this year of
1904. 1t is much more important on this
independence Day that we think of them
and refresh our spirits, and our cOnsciences,
with the inspiration which was their herit-
age to our country. If independence Day is
anything-it is 4 memorial to the courage of
the men who made America free!
Courage? By today's standards, those
rounding Fathers would be branded fool
hardy. By today's ideas, the Revolutionary
War never should have been attempted For
on paper it was an absurd and reckless un-
dertaklng. Glance briefly at our history -
which should be taught far more widely
and thoroughly than it is. Statistically speak
ing, the Revolution had no chance. The Col
Onles were diSunlted-and further divided
within themselves as between Patriots and
Tories. The 13 Colonial governments were
economically weak, and feeble in a military
sense both as to organized armies and mn
mtlons to supply them. Communications
were poor, currencies sick, and the Cont
mental Congress, as then organized, reflected
all those difficulties more than it remedied
them.
Opposed to the ragged Continentals"
was one OF the Great Powers of that day.
The British Navy dominated the seas. Brit
ism armies were trained, experienced and
hghly lndUstrialized economy of the time.
Britain was as wealthy as the Colonies were
poor; and she had a staff of generals with
nlgh fepute IN warfare. Finally, George III
mad within the Colonies a fifth column which
not only served his cause, gave information
TO his agents, fed and housed his troops
out which, above all, preached appeasernent.
peace at any price, and increasingly attempt-
cd 70 split the Revolution from within. On
nVY nr1Vy ~,e o,o1-..
men who made Philadelphia the Cradle of
Liberty never had chance Those who to-
DAY talk OF calculated risks" would have
been astounded at the gamble taken when
the Liberty Bell rang and independence was
proclaimed back in 1776
Why, then, did the Revolution succeed.
Wnen statlstically it was "impossible?''
history gives us those ANSWERS, too. Amer
lean independence was won because our
IofeIatners possessed faith, conviction and
courage-particulaFly courage The men
VINO signed the Declaration of Independence
were not blind to the chances they were TAX
ing. Ihey noted them when they wrote that
win firm reliance on the protection of
Dlylne providence, we mutually pledge to
each other our Lives, our Fortunes. and our
sacred Honor"
What mattered even more than that bold
declaration was fortitude in the bitter davs
- come Gays OF encouragement and dis
aster. During the gruelling winter of Valley
Forge, when Washington had onlv 9. 400 roo
ulars left, he wrote Congress that "ten davs
more VIII put an end to the existence of our
army. Washington was defeated. the Col
onIes were licked-but they refused tn ha-
heve it, or accept it. During the wears of tha
Second World War the British themselves
knew how that felt, when, after France coll
iapsed and Britains armies were shattered.
tne Brltlsh people were ready to shoulder
cluDs and broomsticks to defend their home
land ''Oiii0-
Churchill called it ''their finest hour" So
It was. So it was also in 1776. It is in sucb
hours that the fate of nations is decided. Not
on paper Not by statistics. Not bv faint
hearted men, summer soldiers and sunsbine
patriots, but by those who have the vision to
know the right-and the courage to make #
prevail That is why we celebrate the Fourth
Of July Never in America has there been
greater need to follow the examples and
principles which created our Tndependanco
Day and built our Nation than the nresent
CHURCHILL TALK BRINGS FAR EAST
PROBLEM DECISION CLOSER
President Eisenhower announced thaf
the visit of Sir Winston Churchill and Mr.
Eden 10 washington was the Prime Minis
ters own idea. This in itself is an indica-
ton OF the tremendous seriousness of the
world situation, in view of the fact that Sir
Winston is in frail health, and has beer ad-
yised by his family and friends to Law down
the heavy burdens of Office. The President
also said, in effect, that one reason the meet
ing was suggested is to do something to
counter the growing fear that a deep rift
exists between England and the United
States
The obvious fact is that, from the West
ern point of view, the world problems has
worsened very materially in a brief period
Of time. The clearest example is the Geneva
conference where, due to circumstances be-