The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-07-01
Our Centennial.

Next Tuesday VIII be the one hun
drcdth anniversary Of our national in
dependence. One hundred years will
have passed since the old liberty bell
at Philadelphia sounded the Keynote
of the American Revolution. One hum
bred years Of national growth and
prosperity will have succeeded that
event, and we, the children aud success
sors Of that daring race, are gathered
together all over the land. in city, vii
lage and hamlet, to commemorate the
joyful era. Within the sound Of the
voice of that dear old bell are gathered
together many evidences Of the bounti
full blessings which have been vouch-
safcd to our people, many evidences Of
the wonderful progress in the arts and
sciences which have been made, and
evidence also of the friendly recogni-
ton aud regard Of foreign princes, po-
tentates and powers. From the &c N,
the root and stem Of tender growth
have sprung up the gigantic tree of lib
erty that may stand forever, and be-
meath whose branches the pilgrims from
every nation upon earth shtll find a
dwelling place. Time alone can solve the
problem OF its perpetuity; but the first
century has witnessed the fullillncnt OF
very many grand possibilities; possibl-
tiles which century ago would have
been deemed of the most climcrical
character, ethiopian dreams, sIadowy
and unsubstantial. But while the great
exhibition, not only the one at phila-
delphia, but the more gigantic one, the
country itself, remains with us Il real
ity Of the nineteenth century, let Us no.,
be- given to vain Boosting, iorgctful OF
the dangers past and present that men.
ace the peace and stability OF our 50 far
successful republican experiment. -
Along with, and as an inevitable at
tendant upon our rapid progress in the
arts and sciences, and the acquisition OF
material wealth, have grown up evils 50
gigantic that, like rank weeds among
the grain, they are vigorously striving
for the mastery Of the field. They de-
mand the attention OF every earnest and
loyal citizen. Let the celebration go
on, but let it go in the full remember
ancc and appreciation OF the increasing
duties Of our people as citizens and
members of society. More than even
should il be remembered in this cen
tennial era, while the world is gazing
upon us with new interest and apprc-
citation, that it is the type Of manhood
and that alone, which constitutes a
state. Material substance, in its many
formed luxurics and gorgeous splcndor,
is but an auxiliary, and of secondary
moment in the true estimation of ON
national greatness. Let kings and
courts of royal blood boast of costly
Jewels, and vie with each other in the
challenges for admiration of these, but
let the American nation, whose people
are sovcrcigns, boast of u browning
race of men and women as the highest
and best achievement the world can
know. For il throughout the land
Glow browed bascaess watts perfume to
PRIDE
the show of splcndor which fair Column
bin makes is to an extent farce and Il
sham. Let the Kingdoms Of the earth
estimate it rs they will, but the most
important thing is the Significance which
the exhibition and the year has for our
own people. The lessons they shall
learn in regard to the true standard OF
national greatness. Americans, CON
trary to their traditions and consiitu