The New York herald., 1876-07-03
The Coming Anniversary.

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Everything looks like glorious celebra-
tion of the centennial of our independence
tomorrow. One point especially in which
it will have happy effect is the good that
will come from this union of SO many
nationalities In the past, unscrupulous
politicians have never hesitated to tamper
with religious and national feelings for their
advancement. There have been no parties
which have done so much harm as those based
upon Americanism and Know Nothingism.
OF course, every such party was sure to
fail, because it violated the first laws of
common sense as well as political economy.
We could no more build up this
Republic without the aid of the older nations
than the Egyptian King could have built
his Pyramids without stone. The evil of
these sectarian parties was in the acrid feel
ing they left behind them. Now. in this
Centennial time, we honor what was done for
freedom by men of all creeds and all ma.
tions. In fact, we note that our foreign
citizens are more anxious to have a fitting
celebration of the anniversary of our indie
pendence than our native born. This, at
least is true of New York. Nor is it n
matter that should surprise us. Liberty
means great deal to the citizen who was
born in the land of conscription of compul-
sorry service-in the land where war usurps
all other duties-where an alien system and an
alien army hold the native races in bondage.
The German from Bavaria, the Frenchman
from Alsace the Spaniard from Biscay, the
Irishman from Westmeath, have Drawer
ideas of freedom than our own people, who
were born in freedom and who have never
known the masters foot.
Another point in this centennial celebra-
ton is the presence of SO many high and
noted people from other lands. One effect
of our civil war was to give us rank among
the great nations of the world This rank is
conceded by visitors as illustrious as the
Emperor of Brazil and the Prince of Sweden,
who take part with us in celebrating our
anniversary. In the earlier years of our GEN.
tury we were to the European nations in about
the same position that Australia and New
Zealand are to us. Since the war that is
changed Those who had looked upon the
new Republic as very new indeed, with
trees and prairies and buffaloes, but without
the higher elements of civilization, found
that is was nation in the highest sense.
Since the close of the war that recognition
has been ours. If we cared to take any part
in the diplomacy Of the world, to throw our
interests with those Of the ambitious Powers;
if we cared to take any part in the race for
supremacy and empire, the sword Of the Re-
public would be as much respected as that
of emperor or king. But one lesson has
come down to us from the fathers, and, with
all of our vagaries in other directions, we
have never ceased to respect 1.-THE lesson
which forbids our accepting any entangling
alliances with foreign Powers. Our friend
ship with foreign Powers has been the friend
ship of peace. With the exception of our
war with Mexico, which was in many respects
family affair, springing from the irritation
of jostling frontiers, we have had no foreign
war for more than sixty years, and every
year lessons any chance of war.
While all the world therefore, is in
seething. angry condition. while Europe
resounds with the tramp of armed men;
while emperors are holding anxious coun-
ellis and every moment may see the flame;
while Servia strikes at Turkey, and we all
know that Servia is the lance head and
Russia the lance; while even England shows
the awakening of the warlike spirit, we close
our century in profound peace. We cele-
brate the pence in the great Exhibition.
Here, under the Towering, majestic spread
ing branches of our liberty tree. is room
for all who choose to come. A century ago
there were three millions-to-day there are
more than forty. What may we expect in
another hundred years? How often has it
been said-how often will it be said, we fear
to-day and to-morrow-that Franklin and
Washington would not know their land were
they to come to the earth and take
their places in Independence square with
the huzzaing thousands who are to listen to
the eloqueuce of Mr.. Evarts? If we have
done so much in one century what may we
not hope in the century to come? Let us
enter upon the new era cherishing the
lessons and needing the warnings of the GEN.
tury that ends to-day, with the hope and the
prayer that another century will find US still
in the triumphant enjoyment of liberty
and peace, still striving for the highest and
noblest destiny.
The Protection OF the telegraph.
The New York Times takes judicious
ground on the question of protection to the
telegraph which Mr.. Morton has introduced