Evening star., 1954-07-06
10000 See
Fireworks and
Hear Mckay
Lute ArriyoIs
Swell Crowd at
Monument Ground.

Etacular Fourth of July fireworks
display on the Washington Mon-
ument grounds. and heard Sec
retary Of the Interior Mckay
call for Q rededication Of the
principles Of democracy.
Much Of the crowd, stationed
In the immediate area, arrived
late. by foot. by bus and in cars.
They were delayed by uncertain-
ties OF the weather, which finally
cleared up beautifully. The esti-
mate was given by Park Police
commanded by Chief Harold F.
Stewart. The grounds surround
ing the Monument were wet
enough to discourage lying down
on the grass and anticipating
this, many people brought blank
cts. There was a last minute rush
for chairs.
Against starlit backdrop. the
fireworks loomed brightly. The
Monument, almost q white shaft
in the beam Of searchlights, re-
verberated to the Battle Of the
Skies, a succession Of bomb.
bursts, star -shells, roman cam
dies, skyrockets and other pyro.
technic innovations.
Portraits Cheered.
There were cheers from the
crowd when sizzling golden
flames sharply outlined por-
traits Of George Washington
and President Eisenhower along
| giant frames. The American
| flag also came In for such
prominence.
Prior to the fireworks, the
Marine Band gave a concert
and there was q fiag-raising
ceremony In which the four
Armed Services participated.
Secretary Mckay, referring
often. to the Declaration Of
Independence and the signifi-
canoe of the Washington Monu.
ment. said: unfortunately
there is a tendency on the part
Of some. especially In times Of
crisis. to question the strength
Of our institutions.
| These doubters debate
whether our system Of govern
ment inSureS our security and
| the orderly processes Of our
| daily lives. Yet our times are
not half as critical or danger
ous than when Thomas Jeffer.
| son drafted the American Char
4 ter Of Freedom. z
He. said the presence Of 50
many In the audience was evi-
| dence that the rights Of free
dom and the security Of self
government are strong and
| vigorous.
Basis OF Reforms.
| The Secretary stressed that
most Of the great reforms Of
the last. $50 years have been
based on the undying philosophy
Of the Declaration Of Indepen-
ldence. He added:
| "Even totalitarian states are
forced to give lip service to the
principles Of self-government
embodied In the Declaration Of
Independence.
Fired by patriotism no less
fervent than that which in
spired our founding fathers. the
American people may look with
confidence to their representa-
tives who speak out fearlessly
lin defense Of the dignity and
freedom Of the individual and
the rights Of freedom loving
people everywhere. -. Let each
Of us resolve to maintain our
free institutions unimpaired. in
all their strength, so that our
children and their children may
enjoy their blessings. In this
rededication, we will assume our
share in the task Of keeping
alight the beacon of hope
throughout the world"
McKeldin Speaks.
Another who stressed the
significance Of the holiday was
Gov. McKeldin Of Maryland.
who made an Independence Day
address In Magruder Park,
Hyattsville, Prince Georges
County.
He pointed out that every one
knows this country has no desire
to deprive any nation Of its
independence. but on the other
hand. Russia has ruthlessly de-
istroyed the independence Of
many nations to build up her
own strength to dominate the
world. Gov. McKeldin con-
tinued:
I'VE know that cooperation,
or interdependence. is essential
q to keep other nations from losing
y their independence to commu-
nisn. We have tried in many
. ways to obtain this cooperation.
, We are learning at last, I
: believe. that we cannot get that
cooperation in all instances.
THE best hope for peace in
the worid-peace based on free
dom and the independence Of
nations-lies in the combined
strength and united faith Of
free people"
The all-day program at Ma
gruder Park featured athletic
. events, q parade, patriotic exer.
cises and a fireworks display.
. Thousands Of persons attended
the evening program and also
: lined Baltimore boulevard to see
the parade In which Gov. Nc.
Keldin and mayors and councils
! men from scores of nearby COM
. munities rode.
. The Governor was greeted by
William DuvaIl. former Mayor Of
. College Park: Maryland State
Senator John r. Fletcher,
Hyattsyille Mayor Jesse s. Bag
gett and other prominent per-
sons.
New Home Rule Offices