Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-07-24
Rev. 7Ir, Farrar's Grafton.

For several weeks past we have been
keeping the high toned and eloquent
Grafton of Rev. J. p Farrar, delivered
at Ludlow, at the 4th of July celebra-
ton in that place, hoping to find space
to publish in full, but the pressure upon
our columns has been so great that we
can only find space for the closing pas
sages. We regret that we cannot give
the Grafton in full, as it was really the
finest effort delivered upon Independ-
ence Day that we have ever received.
Finally, in meeting the results of our
iudeDendence we are able, by Gods
blessing to report progress. The seeds
of civil and religious liberty, which
were planted and began to germinate in
our early history, have already borne
much fruit. The little rill which issued
from freedom fount, has become a
large stream, and is moving on majestic
ally, ever deepening and widening, to en-
rich the political vineyard of the world.
To be sure, we observe variations in its
course. like the literal stream, now run
ming forward with steady and peaceful
flow, now seemingly turned backward,
and for a time bent away from its true
direction, now lingering among the flat
lOw-lands, now gathering head to hurry
onward over obstacles which instead of
impeding, serve by their very agitation
to purify and quicken its current, yet
we rejoice as people in its progress.
The shirt Of restriction and intolerance
imported to our shores, from the old
systems of tyranny and martrydOm Of
the dark ages, has well-nigh disappeared
from our shores. The principle of soul
liberty advocated by William Penn and
Calvert, has become universal, and is
even making cOnquests, with the prin-
ciples Of self-gOyernment in the old
world Napoleon list, established
republics in Europe for a time, and
aimed blow at despotism, and then the
stream of freedom was turned back
ward Political agitators however,
either from good or bad motives, have
kept the undercurrents of liberty in a
state of unrest, and time has already
wrought wonders. We behold in Spain
and France the foundations laid for self
government, and if the people are in
clined to religion, virtue and intelligence
we may hope for their prosperity. Fol-
lowing in the wake of political revolu-
tions in Spain, France and Italy, is free
liberation of religion. Passing on to-
ward the east and crossing the boundary
line of Europe into Asia, we find some
of the Oriental countries fast becoming
occidentalized. Events of centuries are
crowded into period of a few years.
Chinese students are arriving in our
country, from 10 to 16 years of age, to
pursue course of study in law, medi-
cine and engineering. Their course OF
private and public instruction is to oc-
cupv period of fifteen years, at the eX-
pense of their government, when they
are expected TO return and fill important
positions in their native land. This will
tend to remodel the Chinese empire i'll
favor of western ideas. customs, religion
and politics. The government of Japan,
which has hitherto occupied the fore
front of Oriental conservatism, is max
ing rapid strides in the direction OF free
institutions. Isolated so long, it is simply
wonderful to contemplate what has re-
Gently been accomplished. Japanese.
embassies have not visited Europe and
America to study their institutions in
vain. With her population of $4,000,
600. and territory said to be ''more
than twice as large as Great Britain"
she is awakening from sleep and emery
A series of political, social and moral
changes has occurred, which has never
been wrought in so short time. The
government has avowed its purpose to
throw the whole country open TO
foreigners, subject only to the laws of
the empire. A department of education
has been established, and gigantic sys-
TEN of public instruction has been
planned for each of the eight grand di-
visions Of the empire. A medical school,
| with German professors, has been
opened, and thousands of English text
books are for sale in the bookstores of
their large cities. From the schools and
academies, $50 young men are to be
sent abrood every year to complete their
| education, and a number are now In
this country prosecuting their studies
with encouraging success. Railroads are
being constructed and telegraph lines are
being established. Some of the holidays
associated with the ancient pagan temple