Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1875-05-29
THE CENTENNIAL ERA.

we nave reached step IN our Nalloh-
al progress such as comes but once in the
life of man. The coming anniversary of
our National Independence will soon be
at hand. and with the close of its fejoic- /
ngs we shall have entered upon the last 1
year of century of national life. In |
that century, so soon to be completed,
our country has made progress in
growth, in education, in wealth and pop
citation, and in civil liberty and the rec
ignition Of human rights to which we can
point wth pride. The broad expanse of
continent has been spanned by the
avant-courlers of civilization, and where
century ago the face of the white man
had never been seen. cities are reared in
the reclaimed wilderness and the hum Of
busy industry fills the land. The growth
and the prospects of our country are al
ways worthy subjects of contemplation,
but at the present time there is an add
tional reason for the indulgence of retro
spect which, though national in its APP
plication and bearing is kindled to en-
thusiasm when stimulated by local pride.
That stage Of our country's progress
which may be called its Centennial Era
is now reached, and the ardor which per-
vades the people Of all sections when they
recall the scenes Of our fathers struggle
for Liberty and Independence is our best
security that the fruits of their triumph
will be guarded witn jealous vigilance
/ throughout the coming years.
1 The first Of the Centennials, the one
huBdredth anniversary of Lexington and
Concord, was celebrated last month in a
manner worthy the observance of the
opening battles of the Revolution. Then
came the Centennial of Crown Point and
Ticonderoga. This was followed by the
Centennials Of the Declarations of indie
pendence put forth by couple of coun-
try towns, one in North Carolina and one
in the Keystone State each of which
were made the occasions of patriotic
gatherings. Next we will have Bunker
Hill. where the patriot soldiers assumed
the offensive, and though compelled to re-
treat before the repeated charges Of the
British veterans. gave n sample of the
stern valor which an undisciplined veo-
many could bring to the defence Of their
affairs and their homes. And from now
on until the hundredth anniversary
of the treaty by which Great Britain gave
a reluctant consent to the Independence
( for which her colonists had fought, the
battles and victories of the Revolution
will be made the subject of local rcjoic-
ing, while the accounts of the proceed
ings, scattered broadcast through the
press will recall the men and memories
of 1.-THE times that tried mems souls -
We are glad this period has arrived
We hope that ere it has passed away the
fires OF patriotism may burn rs brightly
at the affairs of our country ms when the
Old Thirteen first banded together for re-
sistance of oppression. This may be hop
ing for too much, but it is in the nature
of all men to love the land of their birth,
and although this love may be hidden
or lie dormant until the occasion comes
to awaken it TO decisive action, yet in
each heart there is that instructive love
of country which needs but to be gudcC
Alright to become the best security for it.
welfare. In the multiplicity of Ccn:cn
mails which the next decade will bring
forth, there cannot fail to be kindling
of rcmembranccs which will arouse n
more kin1lv feeling between the estranged
sections of the country. The soil Of the
Old Thirteen States is historic ground.
Each became, in its turn, the th1"ter OF
conflict, and each cherishCs the names
and memories of its own native heroes,
whose services in the great struggle have
endeared them TO the generations which
followed their own. From the opening
skirmi>h of the Revolution at Lexington
to the Yorktown equalization, the history
of our battle for Independence showed q
spirit OF self sacrificing patriotism in all
classes which is worthy of emulation
!, 1t is to be hoped that the patriotic re.
, mem brances which the observances of
{ the next few years are certain to recall
may do much to allay any feeling of bit
terness remaining from our later battle
for national life, and wipe out Il sectioal
lines.