Show UjYV True Meaning of the = Celebration of = the Glorious Fourth GAIN aro the Stars and Stripes the national na-tional emblem of American liberty justice jus-tice and independence independ-ence raised on high Again the lavish and I J vivid display of the 1 national colors a wakens recollections recollec-tions of our coun trys strugglesof her enforced battle cry of freedom Again children rally round the flag to uplift their childish voices In Its praise and honor to sing songs of triumph and rejoicing over the nations I na-tions victory Once again as of yore loud peal the bellsringing out the glad news that It Is the anniversary of the nations birth commemorating the magnificent achievements of those early noble i patriots on that first glorious Fourth day of July Statesmen and orators are called upon to exercise their highest t high-est powers of eloquence In order to re Impress upon tho hearts and minds of citizens now enjoying tho rights and i duties conferred upon them by an Independent In-dependent form of government to uphold up-hold those lofty Ideals and to defend those basic principles of unity and f fraternity of political Independence i and freedom from arbitrary rule and I despotism for which brave men willingly will-ingly laid down their lives that tho country which they loved and for which they fought might as a nation live Tho Declaration of Independence was received with every demonstration of public rejoicing We are told that It was read In public from tho platform of an observatory In the rear of tho statehouse On the same day a brilliant bril-liant fete was given In honor of tho nations birth on board ho frigate Washington In the Delaware the festivities I fes-tivities terminating with a ball In the I evening Tho declaration was read at tho head of each brigade of tho Continental Conti-nental army stationed at Now York J and received with joyful huzzas Again 4 > on tho tenth day of July tho declaration declara-tion was read In the courthouse at White Plains by order of the convention conven-tion then In session Tho kings coat of arms was brought from the hall whore his courts were held and burned P amid tho acclamations of the multitude multi-tude Thus we find that whatever form these public demonstrations of rejoicing rejoic-ing over the nations blth might take they were always preceded by a careful care-ful exposition of the cause for that rejoicing re-joicing The celebration of Independence Independ-ence day In those early times was the exultant overflow of emotion due to the Intelligence clearly and pointedly conveyed to tho popular mind of tho l resolute resistance of the countrys Q I f leaders to tyranny that should make America free Given a true conception of the causes the principles and Influences that should be reexamined and contemplated con-templated on every recurring July 4 the American people would Impart u meaning and dignity to their festivities t festivi-ties on the holiday of national holidays 4 t a l such as would preclude an Indulgence f in more senseless nerveracking noisy demonstrations without thought of tho why or wherefore of tho occasion Too many of our youth notwithstanding h q not-withstanding the lessons of American history learned at school are apt to forget tho real significance of tho nations I na-tions birthday when tlioy deem It I sulllclent to vent what they are pleated to call their patriotism In deafening hornblasts and In the free and careless use of reeking explosives and dangerous firearms Nor Is the great mass of our foreign t population which Ms ultimately to be + consolidated Into tho American nation properly Informed respecting the antecedent an-tecedent t forces of tho country to l which they have come for refuge and l for freedom so that at sight of our waving banner and at bound of our national airs a true sense of loyalty may be kindled In their hearts and fanned Into tho sentiment of burning but righteous patriotism for the land of their adoption For the weal of tho American democracy depends upon the Integrity the fidelity aye the unswerving un-swerving allegiance of every national unit Just as It was unity that gave birth to the nation so It Is unity that must preserve the nation In union there Is strength Is as true today as It was a century or two ago Together Is the call of tho ageand It Is the call especially to be heeded by us of this glorious American republic Hence while we move In step to martial music with the Stars and Stripes flung to the breeze while we dine or picnic In honor to tho nations na-tions day Indeed whatever may be the form of our rejoicing over our countrys liberty we must have a caro lest we forget tho real reason of our merrymaking and selfgratulatlon Independence In-dependence day Is ours with all tho glory of tho past and all the splendor of the present freely we have taken and continue to take all the advantages advant-ages tho rights privileges progress and advancement that wore ushered Into being with the nations birth Freely then let us give Not a rhetorical prating of patriotic devotion devo-tion to country that Is no moro than a selfinterested alliance of party not munificent contributions for public demonstrations without with-out personal and private dedication to the national cause not these mlstermcd expressions expres-sions of patriotism patriot-ism but the enfranchised en-franchised In 1 d I 1 vlduals efforts to preserve the vigor and purity of the Institutions of his city state or country coun-try the result of i true patriotism which Is the noblest I passion that animates a man In tho character char-acter of a good citizen I |