The Portland daily press., 1876-07-06

The century closes with none of these
questions settled for ourselves or for other
peoples waiting for the sanction of our ex-
ample; we may say without our having
earnestly entered upon their consideration.
This is due partly to that Illogical charac-
ter we inherit from our English ancestry,
which will oblige us to settle them one by
one as they become urgent, practically and
not scientifically, and perhaps some of
them in flat contradiction of the very theo-
ries to which we are pledged. 1t is due
still more to that wretched necessity of
our politics which forbids us to consider
any question upon its merits. and drives
us to the calculation of how we are to
carry the next election. We are tfee-trd-
ders for every thing but the cotton, coal
or lumber in which we or our section are
embarked. We believe in the equality of
man with saving clause for the Pacific
slope, of the Mongol, for the South,
of the negro, and for the rest of us, OF
whatever type of poverty, ignorance or
hel0tage intrudes upon our pride of race.
But if our political literature has disap-
pointed mankind; if we have developed no
theory of democracy for the struggling
peoples of Europe to study, we have done
what is infinitely better and more effective,
we have offered an example of Republic
prosperously conducted through the perils
of century under laws wisely framed and
Loyalty Obeyed by its citizens, wherein
always excepting the shame and wicked
ness of that slavery we have repented and
put away,-life and liberty have been safe,
and crime and vice have been restrained,
freedom of thought and speech has been
maintained, education, intelligence, and
property have been as equally diffused as
the natural capacities of men ever permit,
and the most favorable conditions of
human life have been secured to the mass
of the people. 1t is difficult to over-esti-
mate the power of such an example. In
every aspiration for better civic
and social condition, our constitu-
ton has been the ideal that
gave body to that aspiration; our
striped and starry flag has led the nations
through the bloody agonies of revolution
as the pillar of cloud and flame led the an
Gent Israelites towards the promised land.
Especially since our late great peril and
deliverance, the recuperative energy of the
Republic, as shown in the gigantic mill
tary strength it suddenly developed its ca
pacity to respond to the noblest senti-
ments of duty and justice as shown by the
heroic spirit, patience and sacrifices of it's
citizens, have given us an access of influ-
ence which neither the sanction of long
custom, nor vague terrors of disrupted So
ciety, nor a police backed by standing
army, have been able to counterfeit.
What changes we have made in the con-
stitutlon OF the government, have all been
in the direction of an increased democra-
cy, and larger participation of the people
in practical administration. The discretion
fhpnrQflnqlIu Oiunn fn tho Na1
Iege to deliberate, and from their superior
Judgment, select the fitting persons to be
President and Vice President, has long
since given place to the mere automatic
registration OF the popular choice, which
might just as well be made directly. Pop
ular election of judges for short terms has
taken the place of executive appointment
during good behavior. The tenure of all
offices has been shortened, and the con-
duct OF legislatures, magistrates, and
courts has been brought under the popular
criticism and control. Judges must at their
peril lind some way to reconcile the science
OF law to the prevalent tendencies of the
times, and lawmakers, when they can no
longer compromise, postpone or refer back,
must make political economy acommo-
date itself to the present wishes and in
terests of the masses.
AOAA OhAo eShOtCuOJ " IclGT tVcrVCnlQO
back to the people has resulted the neces,
sity OF taking into the popular arena the
most complicated and abstruse questions.
such as those of finance, and of protection
and free trade. More and more our cleo
ton campaigns become scientific discus
slons, and more and more they are and
ought to be stripped of their degrading
features OF fiattery, insincerity, and per-
sonality.
DUTIES OF THE TIME.
.'Since the people are our rulers, our
safety lies" as Mr.. Lowe sarcasticallv
said in advocating the English Education
Dill, Tin educating our rulers.'' How can
we better consecrate this day in the heart
OF every patriotic citizen and make il
religious in as high sense as the Pres
ident intended in his message, than by
pledging ourselves to the generous SUD-
port of whatever educates the people. Let
the schools be free, and untrammeled bv
sectarian control. Let us enlarge the in
fiuence OF the pulpit and the platform, and
demand that none shall teach from either.
who do not exemplify in their own lives
the validity OF what they teach. Let liter
AZURE and art, sedulously cultivated, and
nbcrally paid, diffuse among men and
women that culture which shall take from
us as people the reproach of shallOwness
and vulgarity. Finally let us remember
that the education of affairs is far more
efficient and salutary, than the formal ed
ucation ST schools.
Inc newspaper, the telegraph and the
mail make our modern life wonderfully
conspicuous. The time prophecied of has
come, when what has been told in the
ear is proclaimed upon the house ton,
How terrible is the popular reproach of a
great public fraud, of a heartless extor-
ton or cruel crime! How exhilerating is
nations applause at brave act, heroic
sacrifice, the enunciation of grand
thought! Let us keep our plaudits only
for the best and dismiss with compliments
only those faithful servants, that have done
good service to the state. Monarchies
like those OF, Britain and Prussia have been
able to perpetuate themselves and secure
In the freedom, intelligence, and prosperi-
ty OF their people the true ends of govern
ment by making it an inviolable maxim of
state to put the best and ablest men in
stations of authority, and the elective
franchise in republic though universal is
a snare and delusion unless through il
the people may enjoy their dearest right to
be represented by their best and Wisest
men.
The first century closes behind us. Let
us enter upon the second with thankful
ness Tor all that we have achieved, and
with determination to make our country
worthier than ever of our highest love and
hottest devotion.
Chow many subtest influences
With spiritual touch of joy or pain
invisible as air and soft as light
10 poGy forth that image of the brain
we eau our Country,-visionary shape