THE Fourth of July in America is a time of national rejoicing. It is also a time of national remembrance. On that day we are reminded, in one way or another, that we are Americans, and that we have a country to which we should be loyal and true. We are reminded, also, that this is the land of freedom and that it was made so by the toils and sufferings of brave and wise men who lived and died amid scenes and circumstances to which we are strangers. It is fitting that we should think of all these things on the Fourth of July, for that day is the birthday of our nation.There was once a time, however, when the people living in America could not boast that they had a country of their own ; for they were ruled by the king and parliament of Great Britain who made laws for their government without asking their consent. The American colonists, as the people were then called, could not say that this was a land of freedom ; for they were made to pay taxes to the king, and were denied many of...