The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1865-07-25
ORATION:
Delivered i'm the City Of Cold
water, July 4th 1905.
Mr.. President and Fellop- Citixsns A.:

NV LFeSsuent dno a 'Op-C'tt<shS
The chief events Of nations life ar,
presented to our view under various
forms. I find myself standing here to
day in the presence of this large assem-
blage Of my fellow citizens of this splen
did county of Branch, and the adjoin
ing counties, under the most pleasing
and interesting circumstances. 4
Within the last few years dark clouds
have hung like the black pail of mid
night over our national prospects, and
the vision of the most hopeful has often
been dimmed- Tho good old govern.
ment of our Fathers has been as,ailed
by powerful enemies, and, At times, it
has seemed rs if the glorious old ship
of state must sink beneath the waves
of revolution to rise no moro forever.
But in the midst Of the greatest
events that have ever transpired in all
tho different forms of national life, the
most terrible clash of arms tho world
ever witnessed, with the feeling and
sympathy of every crowned head in
Europe concentrated against it, COM
passing its destruction, it has rode tri-
umphantly and proudly above the tu-
multuous waves that have threatened
to engluf it, and from an awful sea of
darkness and of death, which has over
showed tho whole country for the last
four years, thrice blessed peace has
arisen to shelter the nation beneath the
shadow of its glorious wings, That
dear old flag floats proudly and peace
fully over an unbroken and glorious
union of all the States.
Terrible in battle, it Is also benefcent
in peace. The blood of heroes has
crowned it with honor; protected it
from treason, and transmitted it to us
aud our children with all the blessings
Of civilization, religion and liberty
Emblcmatical of the stars that redeem
the night from darkness, and the beams
of red light that bcautify the morning;
as long as the sun endures, or the stars,
may it proclaim in the namc of yindi-
Gated government, peace and protect
ton to loyalty, humiliation and shame
to traitors-one nation, under one gov
ernment, enriched with sacred and inn
mortal memories. Wherefore have we
come together, on this the eighty-ninth
of this great nation? To
each other upon the tri-
umph of the principles embodied i'll the
Declaration of Independence, and to
cxult, as we have a right to, in the vic
torious achievements of our army and
navy, by which peace hath been con-
quercd, new national life inspired,
cur principles purified and ennobled,
and the strength and power Of our gov
ernmept vindicated-not for aggressioa
and conquest, but for taking the
advance Of all nations in that
which leads TO humane
the elevation of the masses of
he people, equal and exact justice, Jaw,
order, religion, universal liberty, and
IN undivided Christian brotherhood.
All hail, then, this most gloriou. day
Of all. Glory to that immortal histo'
y, and impcrishahle renown, which
crown it the birthday of a great nation.
And glory be to God in the highest,
who hath ordained for us, first, victory,
hen peace on earth and good will to-
ward men. They that are wise will
earn from the lesson experience.
Our past is full Of great events that
ell materially upon the destiny of man,
md he that is not willing to give a few
to reflection upon the circum-
stances under which we have attained
,ur present position of power and great
hess, is unworthy to enjoy those liber-
les which have been transmitted to us
1y our fathers, and the protection of
hat flag which has waved triumphantly
,ver more than thousand battle fields
or the cause of our country, humanity
md liberty.
The collision of those great princi-
lies which eliminated in the American
Revolution andhas caused our fair land |
% be drenched in blood for the last
our years, with desolation and ruin, cx
ending over sonic of the fairest por.
ions Of our beloyed union, lies lar,back
n the history of the past.
On the 10th day of June, 1915, two
great armies lay encampcd on the plains
on the banks of the
Thames. One was composed of the
}arons of England, and their followers,
md was styled the army of God and
lis holy church. The other was head
ID by King John, and such of hi, sub
ects rs he could induce to follow his
ortunes. Negotiate ms were opened
between the two armies, which resulted |
II the Barons extorting from John the
great Magma Charta of liberties, the
End of which was to protect the people
against the abuse Of the power Of the
King, rs lord paramount. 1t was pro-
,ided that no freeman should be arbi-
rarily imprisoned, except by due course
If law-rthat justice should not be de.
lied to any one-that the right of trial
by jury, and the wit of habcas corpus,
should be deemed and held sacred to
,very subject of the British crown
The right of the people to make war
ipon the King whenever he should vio-
ate any. of the obligations imposed up
IN him by the Magma Charta, was clear
y promulgated. From that day until the
present, no British Monarch has ever
been able, for any length Of time, to
,rample remorselessly upon the liberties
,f the people.
Charles the First undertook to de-
troy the liberties of England by incul-
Eating the doctrine of passive obedience
md unlimited kingly power The peo
Die rose in their majesty, and at the
,attle of Marston-Moor, in l644, strip
,ed him of all the epsigns of royalty,
ND ON tho al dnr ol Innraru -lGla