The Morning herald., 1876-07-04
1776-l870.


equal to that Of year in the life of a man.
The fortune or failure of an individual
may be crowded into the fifty-two weeks
Of year; hat it must be a year, following
many others of works. The same law as
rule holds good with national life. Our
fortune or failure is in the future. we have
only reached the early manhood of our ma
tional existence. The problem Of endur-
ing national success depends upon our
selves. Usually the day is given up to
graduation; would not a little reflection
and determination, in the matin hours,
be wise before we enter into the abandon
Of the day. One hundred years ago the
sun rose upon pee pie, who had resolved
to be free, but had not yet declared their
independence. The July sun glared
down upon the unshaded yard Of the pro-
vincial assembly, given by Pennsylvania,
to the continental Congress for its hall of
meeting. In the open spaces, on which
now stand unsightly Offices, thestout burgh-
ers of Philadelphia, and the visitors from
other colonies were grouped. Fair wo-
men round whom bevys Of Aaxen haired
children gathered, and much to matronly
unrest, romped over grass plats, which soft
ened the CLINT and sheen of the midsum-
mer sun:-knots of low -browed, bilious and
sober clad men, n,glowered.at thepatriot crowd
All were not patriotic, but many were
loyal in those days. Strange it is, that
philology should indicate the advocate Of
municipal freedom, or individuality:-and
the disciple OF authority, whether Kingly,
Parliamentary or Presidential, then as now.
The Patriot of 1776, was the armed advo-
cate of Colonial right. The patriot of to-
day, is the unarmed champion Of the let
ter of the Constitution, and the Sovereignty
Of the State. The loyalist of 1776, was
the henchman Of monarchical authority
and the opponent Of colonial independence.
The loyal of the past decade were the enc
mics Of the rights Of the States, and the
sustainers of the privileges Of the Presi-
dent. We have lived a wondrous life
within the century past. Eastern national
romance, with all lis vivid and gorgeous
coloring. is pale and Aaccid when par
alleled with that Of America save ant
, except the seemingly miraculous growth
Arabian power in the East; but it had nj
t natural life, and it was simply religion
conquest, and Aattened as faAaticism cool
ed. In the century we have accomplishe'
| more than any people in the same period
ever wrought. 1t is true we were no
hedged around, with enemies whom it wa
} necessary to combat, conquer, and incor
porate as condition of our own develop
!, ment; but manifold were the obstacles ",
overcame. What lesson does thecentury'
history teach? To our mind it demands
strict respect for not only thespirit, but tn
letter Of organic law. During the period
Of time, wherein obedience to organi
lawp waA humble, and sincere tn
the country prospered, and freedom grev
} apace. Whenever it was contemned b,
} our rulers, Capitalization loomcd up will
mighty power, threatening alike the SOY
J ereignty Of the State, and the independ
J ence Of the municipality. We have jus
emerged from the mightiest civil war with
in the Christian era. Our greatest travail
is now imminent. Every form Of life, vege
table, animal, and NATIONAL. oep