Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1872-03-13
HOLE CLARIFIED PA, WEDNESDAY MARCH 49, 1872
Past and Present.

Past and Present.
Somewhat more than ninely.five
years ago, tho world was startled by
tho declaration that new nation bad
been born It's birth was ushered in
by the tramp Of mailed lcgions, the
din Of arms and the thunder Of battle.
When the old bell Of Independence
Hall rang out q Joyous peal, mono but
the God Of armies know whether tho
infant republic would survive or per.
i-h. But survive it did Eventually
the red waves OF war were rolled back
and the white flag of peace futtercd
from our bill tops and cleaned along
our rockbound coasts. The republic
became n fixed fact, and tho principles
of self government living reality.
When our fathers lighted the fires Of
liberty upon an altar whose stones
had been cemontcd with their own
blood, the angels sang as melodiously
as when tho shepherds were ravished
by their enhancing strains upon the
plains Of Judea. The glad tidings
rolled over the waste Of waters, and
were borne to distant climes on snowy
wings. Tyrants tremblcd. Dungeon.
ed nations heard and were glad
Pilgrims came from every land to
worship at the new shrine. Soon the
infant became an athletic giant, and
demanded place in the front rank Of
nations. 1t created cities whore the
monarchs of the forest had wrestlcd
with the storm and breeze for untold
ages. 1t created commerce, aud sent
its white winged messengers through.
out the habitablc globe. IL put in
motion the spindle and loom, and ere.
atcd thousand industries for the ben.
eft Of its teeming humanity. 1t
awokc the plowmans song upon the
Western prairie, and with Southern
products made other nations our trib.
utaries. 1t provided literally for the
Industrious sons OF labor, and filed
their homes with good cheer and hap.
pincss.
"Thcn none was FOR party,
Then all were for the State;
Then the great man helped the poor.
And the poor man los'd the great
Then lands were fairly portiond;
Then lands were fairly sold;
Tho people were like brothers,
In the brave days of old"
To day We sit amid the ruined mon.
uments Of our former greatness, and
weep over the remnants of our de.
caying splendor. We look ont upon
the land and can scarcely realize that
it is the same of which bards have
sung in glowing strains, and the lips
of cloquence cxtolled 10 the skies
AS a people we are naked and bank.
rupt Debt sits heavily upon our
shoulders, and tho worm of greedy
taxation is gnawing at our vitals.-
Frauds preside at the council board,
and corruption steers the ship Of State.
Our custom houses are run by the
vilest thieves, and one hundred mil.
lions Of internal revenue each year
become tho property of unbluebing
plunderers. Our currency has become
the sport of knaves, and source OF
profit to speculating rings. Our com.
mcrcc is as dead as an Egyptian mum.
my; our manufactures are laugnish.
ing, except in cases where capitalists
have had means enough to purchase a
marketable Congress. Agriculture
affords no remuneration to the tiller
OF the soil, and bleeding labor is made
to foot the bills of reckless aud i'm.
providcnt Government. We ask for
bread and they give us a stone. We
sue for liberty, and get it in the shape
Of Federal bayonets and Gatlirg guns.
We petition for reform in the civil
service, and straightway faro dealing
or base bali playing is made the pass
port to office. Thus we might 60 on
dd nfnitum in the rehearsal of our
national evils, but we forbear. The
thoughtful and wise will not fail 10
call them all 10 mind Foolsand par.
tisans in leading strings would fail ia
understand or acknowledge them as
truths. The People