Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1873-07-03
SPIRIT OF THE AGE
Thursday July 3, 1873.
Independence Day.

Before another issue of our paper
the 9th anniversary of the Declare
ton of Independence, or of our Ma.
tional Freedom, "will have come and
passed away" In this brief article,
therefore we propose making a few
suggestions in regard to the same. We
most sincerely regret to observe that
this day, this important anniversary
which 1--WE should celebrate" is rot
more generally noticed, by the people
of the United States, and that it's OBJ
servance is fast becoming less and less
with them-are we to judge by this
untavorable omen that the people
of our country ara losing their in
terest in the ever important event
which the Declaration of independence
commentaries, and which was the
foundation stone upon which our Ma
tional Government was built. Or are
our American people waiting for the
grand centennial anniversary Of the
immortal Declaration-which will oc-
cur July Fourth, 1876-and then to
'pitch in for a glorious time, worthy
Of the patriotic occasion and event ?
Or is it because cur people, or rather
our rulers, are seemingly fast depart.
ing from the principles laid down in
the instrument we are now consider
ing? We trust not.
The Declaration Of Independence as
already stated in this article is the
magma charter of our rights as an In
dependent Nation. The Declaration
puts forth the blessed doctrine that all
men are created equal; that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable rights, that among these
are life, liberty and the pursuit of hap
piness. These are truly Democratic
doctrines and ideas.-They were writ
ten by that noble patriotic, and Dem
ocratic tatesman-Thomas Jefferson
And if we, as nation adhere to
them strictly, we shall continue to
prosper as Il Government ard peo-
ple.-Let us therefore, teach our chill
dren and our childrens children the
practical part Of the principles of our
Government, and then if we suffer
them to become obsolete and disre-
garded by. designing men, and unprin-
cipled political demagogues, we shall
also become the most abiect subjects of
tyranny and Monarchy. Let us consid-
er these ere it is too late
In the Connecticut Legislature
the usury law has been under consid-
Grafton. The Senate has passed a bill
restoring the prohibition against usu-
ry. 1t changes the old law by making
the limit Z per cent. instead Of 6. 1t
is said the House will concur. No
people can live or stand up under the
pressure of no law against usury, or
the taking of ''iIlegal interest. We
must have stringent laws upon this
most important business arrange
ment.-In absence Of such laws the
money lender will take undue adyant-
age Of those who are compelled to
borrow Of him. sheep needs pro
lection from the wolfe; 50 does also,
the money borrower from the money
lender as all classes are aware.-A
Democratic Legislature is IN favor of
just such protection and will give it.
Let the watchword of American peo-
pie be from henceforth until the OBJ.
jects are secured: For the repeal Of
the increase OF salaries for restoring
the old law of newspaper postage
newspaper exchanges free and news
papers also to 60 free in the mails in
the county where published ; and for
total adjustment of the internal rev.
enue service; and for tariff for rev.
enue sufficient to support our Govern
ment honestly and economically ad
ministered.
The trial of ex-senator Pomeroy,
of Kansas for the bribery Of Senator