Columbia Hailed

JOHN STEARNS '16, professor of Latin language and literature, was firmly convinced and most disappointed that Americans did not fully appreciate the deeper significance of their freedom and especially of their birthright. In short, while firecrackers and noise were enthusiastically endorsed as part of the birthday party, John felt that more serious obeisance should be paid to the nation's founding. Accordingly, it had been his custom for a number of years on the Fourth of July to rise at dawn, step into his yard formally dressed in striped pants, swallowtail coat, foulard tie, gray gloves, and a tall silk hat; then to set up a soapbox carefully preserved for the purpose, stand on it, fire a double-barreled shotgun into the air, and read the Declaration of Independence.