Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 158, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 July 1919 — THE FOURTH OF JULY. [ARTICLE]

THE FOURTH OF JULY.

About a year ago the Fourth of July was observed as a festival in countries to which it had had no previous significance. It was celebrated in France. It was even celebrated in England. It is a matter of record that it was observed in England with even more punctiliousness than in France. In plain language, they made a fuss over it George V. took an official part in the ceremonies, and there were services in -cathedrals, and pyrotechnics—both chemical and oratorical. There was flag-waving, singing, parading, and promiscuous demonstrating. , 'ln this country considerable comment whs made upon the official participation of George in the ceremonies. Not that George counts for much, either here or there; but George is a remote descendant of George 111., whose personal humiliation is commemorated in our national festival. By what rule of logic George V. should be restrained from celebrating the humiliation of George 111. is difficult to grasp. George V. is the son of the son of a niece of the brother of the son of George 111. He is >the flea on the tail of the dog of the wild man of Borneo, so worthily acclaimed in ancient vaudeville. If the remote ancestor of a cousin of yours was hanged for horse-stealing, that fact does not in any way compel you to champion horse-thieving as a polite diversion. Representative ,government was established as a precedent in England in Cromwell’s day—-shortly after the Pilgrim Fathers sailed. Only an accident prevented Cromwell from emigrating later on. George TIT, impregnated with autocratic ideals by his German parents, tried to stifle this Anglo-Saxon instinct 'both in England and in the colonies. Contemporary literature proves that public feeling in England was solidly antagonistic to him. On this continent the frustration of his purpose was quick and decisive. In England it was gradual, •but complete. We may well unite l on both shores of the Atlantic in celebrating this anniversary.