The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1864-12-31
THE TREE OF cONsTTTUTIoNAL
LIBERTY.

speech delivered by William. McGrorty, Esq, at a
public meeting Of the Idaho City Democratic Club held
ION the 18th of September A. d. 1884, to ratfy the
Anation Of Mcclellan and Pendleton. las5 4s
1t is with feelings Of sadness and sorrow for the
oppr essed families Of this once great and glorious
nation, that am prompted to respond to your
call. GU have already on this occasion been adj
dressed by number of able and distinguished
speakers, among whom were Hon. 3. D. Holbrook ;
Judge Scaniker, J. J.. May and G. G. Dudley, who
all and each have acquitted themselves in most
eloquent and creditabe manner. The gentlemen
who have preceded me have treated upon and
fully explained all the great and important issues
of the day. There remains but little for me to
say but permit me to address the inutltudeS OF
the Democracy of Idaho Territory here assembled
uponth subject Of Constitutional Liberty.
Nearly one hundred years age, God Almighty
selected a peculiar class of men, for an All-wlse
purpose. He endowed them with an extraordinary
gift. He gave to them the sacred seed of Consti
tutonal Liberty. These men, guided by divine
light, planted that seed in the Thirteen Colonies
of North America. Tt remained during the period
of the Revolution before any signs OF life were
visible. The planters and guardians watched
without losing their faith in the providence OF the
Eternal God. That seed was mos Stoned by the
blood Of the best and truest men who have ever
appeared on this Continent The seed terminated
and came forth On the morning of the 18th OF
September, 1887. It opened its petais-the ever
vigilant stars of heaven greeted its appearance
the spirits of the martyrs of the Revolution, hold
ing in their hands the dew-sprngs of heaven,
surinkled this tender plant. The morning sun
came forth decked in ala his glory, shedding gen
ial rays of light, warming the face OF the Cont
nent OF America. Ascending on high in his males
tic career, he saw the little stranger solitary ana
alone. He saiuted it with morning kiss, and
consecrated the tree OF Constitutional Liberty The
great men of the age were there and stood spon-
sors ;,
From that nf0n1ent the tree of Constitutional
liberty cemmenced its ascent towards high heaven.
It became the living emblem OF truth. virtue ana
charity and was blessed by the Omnipotent God
It's top reached the blue vaults of heaven, ana us
branches dipped in the waters of the great lakes
on the North. tho Gulf on the South, the Atlantic
ON the East and the Pacific on the west. lts
IA pid and steady growth and stateliness. com
nnanded the admiration and wonder of the entlre
world. Pilgrims and the oppressed of all nations
looked across the oceans to the shade of the tree
of Constitutional Liberty, as their future resting
Mace from tyranical laws and masters. They
came from all Quarters Of the globe, and mingled
with the men whom Almighty God had exalted
I'd the position Of universal benefactors. degree
Of prosperity followed, which had never before
fallen to the lot of any nationOr nations, since the
event OF the birth Of our blessed Redeemer
Behold the grandeur and subimity of the heaven,
ward tree The loveiness of its foliage its sweet
perfumes attracted the birds of the air to its
branches. One. superior to them ALL scared around
and around until he rested on the topmost bough.
Beside him was the Goddess of Liberty, beneath
the azure blue of heaven, encircled around her
hcad. diaden Of stars. Oh the beauty, the
the grandeur of the tree of Constitutional Liberty
Kings, Emperors, and despots of the old world
trAmbled on their thrones, as they witnessed mil.
liens OF human beings crossing the high seas, to
enjoy the freedom prepared for them Oh /! how
changed in the short space Of four years-that
noble tree, the source of all national blessings!
Worms in the shape of abolitiOnism for the last
Atty years attacked the roots but finding them
deep laid in the ashes of the heroes OF the Rovo-
lutionary age this sacred dust was so repusive TO
them, they abandoned the attack. But under
standing the principles of Observation-Disclosures. they
transformed themselves from low crawling grubs
20 0ilded butterflies. Their attractions induced
other insects to follow, until their numbers dark
ened the air. The sun, moon, and stars were in
obscurity.s They foated through space, = seeking
ythom they may deVoNr.n Touching the tree of
Constitutional Liberty, their poison and greediness
soon destroyed its lovely foliage. In short time
they spun web over large portion of that
wonderful tree. The noble bird became stified with
the stencil arising from these insects, as he stood
at the feet of the Goddess of Liberty and true to
his trust, raised his head and snuffed the breezes
of both oceans. Angels beheld and wept With
sorfcw the saints in heaven prayed to the lovely
Jesus to stay The dreadful calamity.
will now unfold the public records, that we
may ascertain from them who were the legal heirs
and trustees of Constitutional Liberty. In these
records Is contained the last will and testament of
Washington, jefferson, a Madison, Monroe,
and q Jackson. They all, in language that eau
not be c0ntroverted or misunderstood, have laid
down the indisputable principle, that that the
Democracy following their teachings are the legit-
innate heirs and custodians. Ii the Democracy of
the United States are permitted at the coming
election to go forth and deposit their votes with
out military interference or test oaths, fraud.
bribery. er Intimidation from those in power, the
verdict rendered on the Sth day of November next
will be in favor of Constitutional Liberty. If lost
as it only can be through corruption and fraud,
and the case is carried to the highest tribunal in
the land, there is presiding irfthat body whose
illustrious life and deeds stand out in bold relief
and his decision will decide this question. From
Roger B. Taney's decision there is no appeal. He
comes iu direct line, and is one of the appointed
guardians of Constitutional Liberty.
wish to say, before closing these remarks
a few words on another subject. Within the last
twenty-four hours, the Irish as a race of people,
were. in my hearing, most grossly iusulted and
outrageosly and falsely villi6ed. A leading aholi.
zionist in this city, publicly stated that the Am
erican people had become degenerated. and inca
pable Of self.goVernment, in consequence of so
much mixture of Irish, Dutch, and Negro" Now
airs stand heIe as defender OF the Irish people.
A nobler race men and women never graced this
earth They are renowned throughout the wide
world for their chastity, virtue, indomitable cour-
are and deepsseated affection for the free insttu-
tons of these United States. Ireland has given
the world some OF the greatest scholars that have
ever appeared at any time in any land. Her sons
have occupied the highest positions in the gilt of
mortal men as statesmen, orators. judges, coun-
sellers. poets philosophers, generals-ln fact, the
Emerald Isle has raised and sent forth men capable