National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-12-17

he men whose presence had dignihed the First
Some, indeed, had fallen By the way, some were
lnrapacitated by years or disease, and some were
already on the held Of battle. But their places
were iiIed by men most worthy to succeed them.
There were John Hancock and OliYer MheOtI
Robert Morris and benjamin Ersnklin, h ncdi
and Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson and
George Walton. Upon the Congress thus assem-
the principles, powers and duties assumed by
their predecessors.
The first Congress had created nation. The
second declared and set 1t free. On the 4th
day Of July, I7To, these representatives OF the
Limited States Of America, in general Congress
assembled, appealing to the supreme Judge Of
the world for the Eectitude Of their Intentions,
sOIemnly declared that the united colonies we're
and OF right ought to be free and Independent
States, and in support Of this declaration they
and their sacrSd honors.
Upon the principles declared in support Of that
msSt. The development ef ali tree States and
the progress Of humanity throughout the world.
OF the men who declared them, will only say
that they were worthy representatives. Of their
fathers-those earlier leaders Of thought and ac-
ton who had dared the dangers OF untr1ed seas
and conquered the hostile forests Of . new world
united to their sons. And these Wereinot IN
worthy TO receive and maintain them. The
fathers were the giants OF new creation, their
sons were the heroes of q new heroic age, and
when their day of trial came they were equal TO
their inheritance Of power.
and aid them. Rebels against the wrongs Of the
most liberal and advanced Of European Govern
ments they were so far imbued with Its prtnct-
MES vet 80 separated from its influences, that
they could adopt the good which remained with
out prejudice or danger; while the mighty ocean
which rolled between separated them from the
landmarks and traditions of the old world, its
conventions and its FORMS its statecraft and It's
priestcraft, its grandeur and its gold. Confirmed
In their fathers faith and elevated to lOftier
mood by closer contact with the great principles
involved in their struggle for Independence, when
ciples of the Government which they established,
inspired by noble ambition Of good they looked
| far beyond the present, and scOrning alike the
minor considerations Of local interests or personal
| dignity, they admitted the world to share OF
their triumph. and enlarged their earlier idea VI
colonial independence to the broad assertion Of
Thus it comes to pass that we are gathered in
the Capitol of q great, free and progressive ma
ton, by the special permission Of its Centennial
Congress, on the anniversary night of one of the
early and most significant incidents OF its histo-
~, TO commemorate and do honor to that nrst
Congress which made us nation; and 70 con-
tribute by the results Of another tea party, this
time most orderly and pacific whatever we may
in this manner properly do towards the success
tennial birthday Of our national independence,
is designed to illustrate at once the material
greatness of our country, the development Of our
principles and the progress OF our race.
Fortunately for this cause it has awakened the
interest and enlisted the cooperation Of the
gentler sex, and it is by their invitation that we
are here tonight. 1t is, indeed fortunate for any
generous cause, and most significant OF its success
that 1t enlists the sympathies of woman. By ma
ture she is active, enthusiastic, persistent and
brave, and in the cause of right she has ever the
spirit to dare and energy to accomplish. Thus 1t
is that at every period Of the worlds progress
her influence has been felt and felt for good;
that every advance of the world, social political
or religious, owes something at least to the gen.
erous impulse Of her spirit, to the purifying and
refining influence of her example.
Her province is not alone to refine and purify
to soften and to sOOthe 1t is also to elevate, to
streng hten, to enrich. All down the line Of his
tory we see her moving with the march Of progress
in the van of civilization around the standard OF
strengthen, to enrich. Her realm cannot be held
within conventional boundaries 1t is the broad
domain Of human feeling. Her throne is erected
within the great metropOlls-the human heart.