The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1875-04-30
LEn ctn%I-.. I a.:

IHE year t"r the ttnfeUnIlI t'eitDTa-
ton of some of the most prominent
events that preceded and promoted the
National Declaration of Independence Of
JAY 4, 1916 l. at hand The State of
Massachusetts,, TO her honor be it said,)
by the reverence che has manifested
for he men and tle historical deeds of
her early history has become renowned
beyond the limits of our own country.
And has thus thrown a halo of g1ory
around her, which would have been less
bright and captivating, had she followed
the example of the people of the South,
and left the heroic deeds of her sons
unhonored and ''unsung" The Pilgrim
fathers owe their fame to the chrystalS
lzIng eloquenee of the great statesman,
Daniel Webster. The deeds of our Fath>
ers' -leep until evidence becomes diff
cult to reach, or perishes.
The old Bay State has led off in the
centenniaIs Of the prominent events
preceding our birth as nation. The
centennial of the battle of Lexington has
just been celebrated with appropriate
honors.
1t is eminentlY proper in these latter
days, under the wide departure that has
been made from the ancient and funda>
mental doctrine, of popular government,
that we should once more return, to a
solemn consideration Of the rights and
privileges apPertaining to popular local
government. Its foundation is laid in
the claims of the people and tho dignity,
| of man, IN cOBtradi5tinetion to the old
Claims of Gutocracy the one man
| power. This latter doctrine held that
all power was by divine right inherent
in the King. That all privileges enjoy
ed by the people were grants gTaciOusIy
| given by the sovereign (nOt to citizsnO
to subjects and were enjoyed at his
will and pleasure. These old doctrines
were modified by time, but still lay at
the foundation of kingIy and autocratic
government. 1t is not only tenacious of
its fOothnld of power, where attained !;
but even creeps into democracles "Steal>
ing the livery Of Heaven TO serve the
devil in" In the formation of our govern
ment-the dignity of man was fully re-
cOgnized. We announced that all power
! is inherent in, and springs from the
! people. That government VAS made for
their good. HAT wnsueVer that govern =
ment failed to carry out the ends for
which it was instituted, and became OPP
| pressive by unauthorized assumption of
! power, il was no Hunger the peoples gov
! eminent. That taxation and represent
tatfon; protection and allegiance were
reciprocal. And we again repeat that
politically it Is salurary and wholesome
thing TO attend the centenuIals Of the
grand events illustrating the foundation
principles laid by our fathers as the
corner stone upon which popular gov
eminent was erected.
Unfortunately for our country we huye
dritted far away from the political land-
mar Ks OF the early days of freedom.
Party spirit-soulless party spirit has
been the instrument producing this de-
parture. The most distinguished pasri,
OTIS of the country have often warned us
of the danger threatening from this
source. Gen. Washington cautions US
beware of parties founded on geographical
distinctions. Read what Andrew Jack.
son says about the danger from en-,
eroachment upon popular rights But
still en-. roacEment follows encroachment
upon the very fundamental rights oil
popular government PARTY spirit il
not arrested in its senselrss fury must
inevitably lead to destruction OIL
popular government"
The Angel of Destruction b as been and
is even now, lowering over the citadel OIL
American liberty. And the silver trumE
of American fame, bears a mingled strain
to the wo:ld. Let US then strive tC
avert the danger now threatening us
And to renew OR patriotism, let US attend
this centennial of the first organized
movement to freedom the Great Meek
lenburg Declaration of Independe nee
return to the fountain Of popular govern,
meat and quaff again it's pure waters be-
fore the bitter roots of party spirit and
sectional strife had vitiated its health
giving stream. 1t is good thing to re
r turn after aImo,t forgotten years, to the
fountain at which our common ances-
try drank and pledged anew libation to
liberty, and Fraternity is the spirit that
moved our ancestors to resent the wan~
ton cruelty to their brethren at Lexing>
ton, and to declare that the cause OF
Boston was the cause of ALL
Let US hono' the great and good men
who first declared Independence Mt the
town of Charlotte, Mecklenburg county,
North Curolin, on the 2Orh day OF
May, 1915 And severed all political
ties, binding them to their Opprersors
"for the maintenance of which they
covsnanted together, 1--WE solemn
ly pledge to each other our lives our for
tunes anJ our most sacred hoDors."
! We thank our patriotic Governor, who
iAsk response TO he request Of the Ten>
nesSee distorted Society as well as to
! the TeVisIativa r.nmittse has iasuad his