The Struggle for Liberty in the Boomtown

The Fourth of July dawned cool and promising. Old Glory was everywhere, with bunting and evergreen decorations. All Aberdeen was in holiday attire, and with the first boats came crowds of visitors. The parade marched through the principal streets, stopping at the grandstand for speeches. The feature of the parade was the young girls representing the Union. Dr. M. L. Pearson read the Declaration of Independence in a forcible manner. William O. McKinney spoke on the conditions of the day, noting that while our forefathers fought for liberty of conscience, today society is in strife for liberty and light. He argued that we must settle these disputes peacefully, not by blood. Mr. Cross, another speaker, noted that this is a day where rich and poor sit at a common table. He questioned if the nation had reached its climax, warning that greed could sell out the liberty of others, and emphasized that the future of the nation relies on the public schools, where the children of the rich and poor sit side by side. The speaking was followed by sports, including a ball game, bicycle races, a tug-of-war, and a log-rolling contest on the Wishkah River, ending with a dance in the armory that lasted until sunrise.