Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-04-28
cal foreboding Of federalism had died away,
ard its very wall seemed a tribute TO the
pacific glories Of the land

harbinger Of freedom, peace and prosperity.
But the most formidable problem for pop
ular government which the opening Of our
second century presents, springs from a
source which was unsuspected hundred
years ago, and which the orators Of fifty
system of slave labor, which vanished in
civil war. But slavery had not been the IA
tai evil that it was IL with It's abolition is
consequences had disappeared. 1t holds us
still in mortmain. Its deal hand is strong,
as its living power was terrible. Emanci-
patton has left the republic exposed to anew
and extraordinary trial Of the principles and
practices Of free government A civilization
resting upon slavery as formerly in part Of
the country however polished aud ornate, is
necessarily aristocratic and hostile to Repub-
lican equality, while the exigencies Of such a
society forbid that universal education
which is indispensable 10 wise popular gov
eminent When war emancipates the slaves
and makes them equal citizens, the Ignorance
and venality which are the fatal legacies Of
slavery to the subject class, whether white or
black, and the natural alienation OF the mas
ter class, which alone has political knowledge
and experience, with all the secret conspira-
cies the reckless corruption the political
knavery springng naturally from such sit
uation, and ending often in menacing disor-
der that seems 10 invite the military inter.
ference and supervision of the government
all this accumulation Of difficulty and dan
ger lays a strain along the very fibre of free
institutions. For it suggests the two-fold
question whether the vast addition Of the
ignorance Of the emancipated vote to that Of
the immigrant vote may not oyerwhelm the
intelligent vote Of the country, and whether
the constant appeal to the central hand Of
power, however necessary it may seem, and
for whatever reason Of humanity and justice
il may be urged, must not necessarily de-
stroy that local self-reliance which was the
very seed Of the American republic, and fa-
tally familiarize the country with that em-
/ ployinent of military power which is incon-
sistent with free institutions, and bold re-
sistance to which has forever consecrated
the spot on which we stand.
These are some OF the more obvious
changes in the conditions under which the
republic is to be maintained. mention
them merely but every wise patriot sees
and ponders them. Does he, therefore, de-
spond Heaven forbid When was there
ever an auspicious day for humanity that
WAS not one Of doubt and conflict There
/ bust moral manhood Of America confronts the
| future with steadfast faith and indomtabe
will. with raising the old battle-cry of the
race for surer law aud larger liberty. 1t
sees clouds, indeed, as Sam Adams saw
them when this day dawned. But with
him it sees through and through them, and
with him thanks God for the glorious morn
ing There is, indeed, faslio.. Of shopsi-
cism Of American principles even among
some Americans, but it Is one Of the oldest
and worst fashions in our history. There i.
a cynicism which fondly faucies that in it,
beginning the American republic moved
proudly toward the future with all the splen
did assurance Of the Persian Nerxes de-
scending on the shores of Greece, but that il
sits to-day among shattered hopes, like
Xerxes above his ships at Salamis. And
when was this golden ageY Was it when
John Adams appealed from the baseness OF
his own time to the greater candor and pat
ritoism of this Was it when Fisher Ame'
moured over lost America, like Rachel fol
her children aud would not be comforted
Was it when William Writ said that h,
sought in vain for a man fit for the prcsi
dency or for great responsibility Was il
when Chancellor Livingston saw only
threatening future, because Congress was Sc
feeble Was it when we ourselves saw thi
industry, the commerce, the society the churh
the courts, the statesmanship the conscience
Of America, seemingly PROSTATE under th'
foot of slavery Was this the golden ag
of these sentimental signs, this the regior
behind the north wind of these reproachfu
regrets And is it the young nation whicl
with prayer and faith. with untiring devc
ton and unconquerable will, has lifted it
bruised and broken body from beneath tina
crushing heel, whose future is distrusted
Nav, this very cynicism is one OF the foe
that we must meet and conquer Remem
Der, fellow-oitizens, that the impulse of
Republican government, given II century ag
at the old North Bridge, has shaken ever
: government in the world, but has been i
: self wholly mistaken by them. 1t has mad
monarchy impossible in France. II has free
the Russian serfs. 1t has united German
against ecclesiastical despotism. II ha
E flashed into the night of Spain. 1t hG
emancipated Italy, and discrowned the Pop
/ as king. In England, repeating the disabi
, tiles Of Catholic and Hebrew, it forecast
the separation Of church and state, and ste
' by step, transforms monarchy into anothi
1 form Of republic. And here at home no
r glorious its story In a tremendous war b
!, tween men of the same blood-men WI
recognize and respect each others valor-
Il we have proved what was always doubte
z the prodigious power, endurance, and r
n sources of a republic, and, in emancipatir
4 an eighth of the population, we have, at las
! gained the full opportunity of the Republica
\ principle. Sir, il is the signal felicity
4 this occasion that on the one hundreth a
a niyersary Of the first battle in the war
l. American independence, | may salute 20
!. who led to victory the citizen soldiers
70 American liberty, as the first elected Pre-
r. dent of the free republic of the Unit
States. Fortunate man to whom God h
IA given the priceless boon of associating yo
name with that triumph of freedom whi'
- will presently bind the East and the We
G. the North and the South, in closer al
e. more perfect union for the establishment
W Justice and the security of the blessings
# liberty, than these states have ever known.
Fellow-citizens, that union is the lof
'r task which this hallowed day and this !
r. cred spot impose upon us. And what clol
n of doubt hangs over us as that which 10
4 cred above the colonies when the troops of t
!, king marched into this town, and the m
'u of Middlesex resolved to pass the bridge
We With their faith and their will we shall "
te their victory. No royal governor indet
n. sits in yon stately capital, no hostile fleet
:. many year has vexed the waters Of o
" coasts, nor is any army but our own, ey
ne likely 10 tread our soil. Not such are o
ID enemies to-day. They do not come proud
mr. stepping 10 the drum-beat, with bayon'
"A flashing in the morning sun. But whereN
~ party spirit shall strain the ancient guarl
le tee of freedom, or bigotry and ignoran
I'd shall lay their fatal hands upon educatiC
us or the arrogance Of caste shall strike at eql
,v rights, or corruption shall poison the ve
y springs Of national life, there, minute-m