The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1868-01-25

generations by whom we are to be succeeded Weknow
too that it hangs the present fate of the grand con-
test which is being waged between light and darkness
between liberty and slavery between monarchical de-
spots and Republican freemen. So long old Repub-
lican Rome was pure just SO long her people free
With vena corruption kingly pomp and imperial
tyranny The laws that govern the universe and that
rule the nature of man. have not changed since that day
In all ages lands, and climes, they immutaby and
invariably the same Is America to continue free Is
she be the light that will lead the other nations of
the earth to liberty? The depends very much
upon whether not her citizens at this present hour
resolved maintaining truth and purity in the adj
ministration of their civil and political affairs.
So far as the social fabric is concerned if we look to
some of the revelations lately made in certain divorce
courts of this country it is exaggeraton to say that
the times on which we have fallen very far from
good. In point of pollution and crime, of the
young cities of Western America rival the time
worn capitals of the oldest of European nations. This
is bad emnence which to set young civiliza-
ton. 1t is omnous of coming evil For, if such are
the parents, the instructors and exempars () Of the
rising race what can the children be expected be-
come?
But it is with the political morality of the country
that we Immediately concerned How stand
we in respect of this 1t would, we are we'll aware be
unjust to bring sweeping charges and to condemn whole
sale the people and Government of great nation like
this There be question that the latter is con-
Quoted better and lofter principles than most of
those with whom we can just now compare it. While
it needless say that the sun is the armament
at MONDAY to assert that the people of America
more free and enlightened than those of any other land
All that is emphatcaly and undenaby true But is
not by any MEANS the point in question If the people
of America not better and purer than those of the
eete kngrdden countries of Europe then the fate of
this country is sealed and the prospects of the down
trodden nations of the earth dark and dscouragng
indeed They must be immeasurably superior in every
way-more enlightened more free, more personally and
politically pure, earnestly and enthusiastically de-
voted to the best interests of their country and of their
kind-f America is to maintain her more than royal
ascendency in the vanguard of the nations if the srug
Cling peoples of all lands be taught how to rend
their chains and rise to the dignity and happiness Of
real freedom. Now, the question is generally
people, are we especially politicians the style of
who likely to keep the lamp of liberty burning
in its purest brightness and to its holy light to
pierce the deep darkness of besotted ignorance and Of
mercess enslavement to the very ends of the earth?
What for instance the general character borne by
our stumporaors and class politicians in this country
The inquiry is far from irrelevant The persons
we alude to swarm in multitudes all over the country
They are in close and frequent contact with almost every
individual in society. They have immense influence,
and will undoubtedly do much to shape the destines of
this great nation Are they rule, of enlight-
ened intellect or of finished education? Do they love
liberty and right for their sakes for the pef and
place which protested attachment to them usually
brings? Are they temperate in their habits select in
their associates dgnifed in their demeanor, moral in
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