The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-19


Communicate to the United States govern
ment our gratitude for its prompt recognition"
The above is the language of despatch from
the liberal and progressive provisional govern
: :ss:. e Spain to the Spanish Minister in
Washington, in response to the recognition Of
that government by that of the United States,
being the first in the world to do so.
Could the founders Of the American repub-
lie be permitted to revisit the earth at this
day and witness the growth Of the sentiment
planted and nurtured with their blood for seven
long years Of strife, they would stand amazed
at the spectacle presented. In 1776 the expe-
riment Of free institutions and the capacity Of
man for self-government was commenced in
this country. The immortal Declaration Of
Independence proclaimed to the world that
Americans would no longer be bondmen, and
the struggle for independence was inaugu-
rated. The mother country resisted with all
her tremendous power. But impoverished,
without concentration of action, with few
friends, with nothing but the holy inspiration
of liberty to nerve and strengthen them for
the terrible encounter, the Americans, under
the magnetic leadership of Washington, went
into the fight, and, as all the world knows,
came ont of II brighter than FURNISHED gold,
with their independence acknowledged and
the spirit of freedom for which they commended
eel of the grand philosophy of modern pro-
gress and civilization. The American Revolu-
ton of 1776 was the keynote which the
bugles Of the French revolutionists took
up In 1888, and thereby created such clamor
In Europe that the old monarchies and dynas-
ties trembled and tottered to their foundations.
The principles enunciated in the American
Declaration Of Independence were adopted az
the creed of the revolutionists in France; they
spread into Germany, overran Belgium,
awakened the smouldering fires in Ireland,
terrified England, emboldened the chartists,
encouraged Poland and the Greeks, asserted
the redemption of the South American repub-
lies, revolutionized France second time in
ls4s, girded the lons Of Garbaldi and nerved
the arms Of the brave Italian liberals,
touched with sentiments of constitutional
reform the government of Great Britain,
and even the government Of the Porte, and
last in the history Of great achievements
under this magnificent American Declaration
Its elements have just burst forth like vol
cano-in night, as 1t were-in Spain, over
whelming a corrupt, grinding and licentious
despotism, and, under Spanish general Of
American experience, Prim, laying the founda-
tons in that benighted country Of an era OF
liberalism, and full acknowledgment Of tho
natural rights of mankind that will be hailed
with rejoicing by the friends Of liberty and
equitable government all over the earth.
To return to our own country. We have
seen in the way the rebellion Of 1861 was dis
posed Of the soundness and the far-seeing
sagacity Of the fathers Of the republic The
text Of that great Declaration Of Independence
were hidden truths that time has developed
with signal distinctness. The rebellion was an
attempt to PROSTATE to an oligarchy those I'M
pressions Of liberty which had been incuicated
in tho hearts and minds Of the children OF
the North through their schoolbooks' the onief
precepts Of which were based upon the truths
of the Declaration. The Northern men then
went into the fight for those free and liberal
institutions. the ideas of which were thus in
stilled into them and which they knew wefe
imperilled and would be forever crushed we're
the rebellIon 20 succeed. But II failed; and a.
the strength and endurance Of American free
institutions were thus triumuhaatlv established