The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1875-06-10
Our National Future.

We give the following short extract from
Dan. Dougherty's new lecture:
81 may be asked the remedy. Dircful con-
ciuslon alas there is none If the people
cannot stand the pressure-if they give wav
this colossal republic and every pillar
that props the mighty fabric, will sooner or
later crumble and fall with a crash that will
| strike the loud earth breathless Yet do YOU
expect to see all nature convulsed, warning
you of coming danger? Do you expect to
see the heavens darkened, as at your Sa-
viour's death ? No, trade may flourish,
the marts be crowded with customers. the
sea white with ships, the valleys flaming
with verges, yet the spirit of your institu-
tions may have fed forever. The sun
shines as brightly to-day over the ruined
Acropolis at Athens as over the dome Of
the Capitol Of Washington.
All history is ablaze with proof of the
mutability Of nations Do YOU need an ad-
monition within the memory of a child :?
Eight years ago imperial France was the
arbltres of Europe. her monarch's nod made
peace or war, prosperity reigned through
out the realm, her cities were beautiful.
her splendid capital was crowded with
strangers from the extremities Of the earth,
kings We're entertained with magnifcence
unparalleled, her boundless treasures were
displayed in the gorgeous Exposition, and
all the world wondered Where is she
now? Her glories sunk in blood at Sedan.
her armies surrendered, her capitol cap
tured, the Emperor died in exile, and the
Empire passed away like an exhalation !
\ Iou will tell me this was the folly OF her
people, the corruption Of her officials, and
the blunders of her men. If so, take heed,
the like causes may produce like results |
take back what have said. There is a
remedy. 1t is the people. You and you,
and you, and [, and all Of us. Under God
the people here are omniptent. They have
made the republic, they alone can preserve
| it.
Think not less of me, my countrymen,
that L have purposely painted the dark side
of the picture-spots, if you will upon our
sun-your pride Of country may be equal
but cannot excel my own. Oh, when |
recall the countless glorics Of my native
land, my soul expands in ecstasy 1t is the
'Ni ihNNiSA'S VI lO'C liidO IllC
possibility of danger. Ny aim has been
not to weaken fairh in free institutions but
to incite more ardent love Of country-to
show that our perils are not from without
less sentiment but mere duty, that its
highest expression is to be found not III the
barbaric courage of the battle, but the en-
| ightcned exercise Of the ballot-to show
that while the republic breathes aspira-
tions the most noble its facilities embolden
the most depraved-while capable of trans
cendent achievements for good, its simplest
functions may work gigantic evils-that
while it fosters the genius that will immor-
talize, it breaths the infamy that may de-
stroy. The downfall Of this republic would
be Il calamity to mankind-it would dim
the future Of the world We, the people
Of all parties, are the custodians of Ameri-
cans liberty; through us to be transmit
ted to postority-if we be faithless to the
sublime trust future ages will groan for
this foul act. Let us own the past and
pledge the future.