The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-05


THE REBRLLlON
through which we have just passed has also de-
fa to the ideas OF our system, neither treason nor
domestic discord shall disrupt our government or
tear one star from our hon0red nag. We have
reached tina point Ia our national development
where IT Is evident that the future Success or failure
q our democracy Is to depend solely upon ourselves
citizens, we may even yet overthrow the govern
ment against Which neither foreign assault nor
Domestic treason has been able to prevail 40
have already said that the duties andresponsibll.
tiles OF citizenship were determined by the form OF
| occupies towards the State Bear with me one mo-
ment while refer with more detail to the form ana
character OF our governmental system. II acknoWl.
edges that derives its primary authority from the
consent or the governed and claims that 1t was cs
taiaisled tor their good, security and growth LIS
form Is based upon the declaration that oil men are
created free and equal In their rights TO le, liberty
the acquisition OF property aud tue pursuit Of happ.
alike by the most binding provlslonsof law, and reg.
ulates the freedom OF the individual for the good
OF the many and according 10 the Will or
the whole. Ii starts with formula OF broad prln-
4 ,pes that would have more than satisfied the
wnaesI dreamer " inc ~ n oS
nances that would have met the ideal VI the most
rigid Of Roman hwgivers. 1t reco5nzes the indl-
vdual citizen rs the source OF all its power, the
peer OF Its highest Oficer and the final Judge OF all
Its action and yet compels his acknowledgment OF
Its authority and his obedience to ITS laws In
word, as II was born OF the people 1t continues tnc
embodiment and expression or their win. other
and Older governmental systems are BASED upon the
right DIVINE OF kings to rule, upon the superior
privileges certain classes. upon the dea as old as
human tyranny, that God has lash0ne some OF taer
clay and puser. blood, in whom, through long de-
scent should still inhere the royal right possess
from sire to SON. should still remain the privilege OF
toll and servitude. They are based upon the Old
idea that might makes right, that the sword as me
+ sccptre OF authority, and that strong arms and
trusty steel and sku fence are the lifting stepping
stones to throne and coronet. Hoary are they with
the aye, and proud with the p0nlp or centuries, con-
secraed with the oil OF prIestiy amounting, and Dla
zoned with long memories Of kingy Dnes OF
stands our simpler system, younger aud yet
older, for II Is an embodied TRUTH land M al
morals, or IN government. We sometimes discover
Of Old forces. the same steam power that
pulsed in the cylinder aud throbDed along the
engines IRON snews. bearing us from many cities to
TINS quiet hamlet, smmered over the cook pots and
Kissed Hom the good wie's kettles thousand wears
ago. The same electricity that flashes the word mere
spoken TO yonder metropolis ana that TINS morning
whispered across the desert over the mountain and
under the sea, bearing tidings from hoayy India to
the far Golden Gate sparked in the sunbeams that
lay on Eden's roses. and kinded in the ligntnlngs
that flashed around Snai's brow. The great truth
that all are created free and are eoal IN their
natural rights not born OF Jeifersons pen, nor
was II carved into being by Washlngt0nis sword. 1t
had It's birth far back at The birth hour
blood all men TO dwell upon the face
Of The earth. And thus our theory and form
grand idea Of mans equality and his nights by vir
tue Of his simple manhood, upon the idea that to
self-governmenl; upon the idea that ne surrenders
the State only much of tn privilege Is need
ti for the highest good OF all; The responsibility
of the individual may be embodied in one senteDce:
Every citizen. by the expression OF his Will through
the ballot Dox determines so FAR as his vote bears
proportion To the entire body OF votes the Kind OF
rulers who are TO administer the government ana
the public policy by them to DE pursued.
THE MASSES PURE.
dsbeleve that the masses In their purpose and
action pure. Misguided they may be, but they do
NOT design wilfuI injury to the stale Such must be
a n
system, for II We conclude that II the masses OF our
citizens are impure In morals and corrupt IN pur
pose we must OF necessity despair OF main tanning
justice, sec lring private rights and unfolding
tonal honor under our democratic system. SO
fountaiRhead OF government, become corrupt, there
Is no possibility OF pure and honest popular govern
ment
POLITICAL FRAUD
sui there Is much IN the condition OF public
anars 10 n. me observer observer Wild p M
successful. v res are pulled conventions packed
and nominations often sold Brokerage In political
influence and votes has become an established
branch OF tra1c, and principles are traded or for
power and place. The very shrine Of our liberty,
the ballot box has been invaded by bold hands, and
too Often especially in our large Cities the shoulder
hitter and the balof-stuifer form the chosen body
guard Of aspiranls for office: Ihe holy names OF
and our leaders are only scramDing for patronage
and plumber. But Il is mol In these things
and fear. 1t is In the growing want Of interest In
public affairs the part OF our best citizens which
sprgs OF danger lie. Ii our government shall prove
INADEQUATE for its high trust II the license 81 the
mob shall override the restraints OF law and the
guarantees OF our social systein 1t VIII he because
our people neglect the safeguards committed to |
their keeping; because good men and responsible |
men absent themselves from caucus, convention |
and poll: because able and upright men refuse to |
assume the responsibilities ana discharge the duties |
vi eare to on All gs Of xfIy dn
They are perfectly content to enjoy themselves all
the protection, all the opportunities, which |
Arr t.nnf off ardl faarfanf FIN tn
sit beneath the vine and fig tree OF our |
fathers planting and so buslly engaged In gather
ing the purple clusters and satisfying their own |
greed that tey can spare no time to dig about the
roots to prune the branches. to pluck OF the dead
leaves. to prop up the falling tres And thus they
live on in u.ier disregard OF duty until corruption
craWs into party and State until vice dictates to
government and laughs at authority, and until de.
signing trIcksers creep into high places of trust and
honor. Others offer as excuse for their neglect OF
duty that politics have become 80 corrupt that honest
men cannot, without forfeiture OF selhrespect, en-
gage therein. You will hear this daily nom well
meaning ana conscientious men. Any yet how much
Of real validity is there in such excuseS Yop must
nent rests upon you before you have the right to
suit your Ia te and consult your personal comfort by
abstinence from these disagreeable duties OF citizen
'hp.
i heye ge plGn Gkery as you are wont wo,ic to
seton, then that Is just the place where you and AL
honest men are needed. II TO the popularity
attaching to the advocacy OF noble principles and
sOuuu luc.5utcS Udu IiCu u.iVc uiIAOu
D Just cause If Judas has joined the twelve that he
nay carry tile bag and find opportunity to betray
Master then II should be your desire and pride,
rs it Is your bounden duty, to guard your party ac-
ton from corrupt influence at its very Inception
as the builder looks to his corner stone,
such excuse Is iinsy and shallow. 1t is the
wretched washing of Pilates hands; the cowardly |
choice of personal ease II Is as much as though
in fearful storm, when spals were swapping and
tlmbers straining when the heavens Wsre black
with tempest and the waves were white With foam.
nnn oft hto
be carelessiy clicking Ills glass 10 genemanly com.
rQdes over the table, refusing to take mis-
place OF The pumps because his neghbor there was
red-shrted and rOugn-handed. Ou5 upon all such |
excuses. They SAVIOR alike Of Incidence, Of cow |
ardlce, OF unmanLlness.
'fNDEPENDFNCE DAY'
comes TO us now with fuller meaning and with h0lier |
Joy than ever before. Since last this anniversary
dawned oil the promises OF the Declaration have |