The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1877-06-29


celebrate, at this time. However,
we shall not attempt torehoarse tho
history or extol the glories OF this
most important event With thom
every American is fanlillar, 10 1t is
useless for us to repeat them. The
long aud bloody Struggle which fol-
lowed tho actioa Of tho Continental
Congress; tho hearts OF M heroic
people continually alternating be-
tween hopes Of victory and iears Of
defeat; the exposure of our troops to
wasting disease, gnawing hunger, in
element weuthcr and the leaden hail
from tho gums of tho well,dIlled,
bountifully fed and amply clothed
soldiery of tho crown; the long and
exhaustive marches, barefoot, through
intense cold aud snow in winter aHd
under tho scorching rays OF The sun
in summer; the sanguinaIy conflicts
with the enemy, sometimes ending in
the utter rout and almost total anni'
hilation of some little band of patriots
before the overpowering numbers OF
the Briton; the helpless and defence
less condition Of the wives and little
ones left at home to provide for them
selves as best they might all this
has been immortalized in poetry
song and rhetoric by the descendants
OF that noble, dauntless and self-sae-
rifcing people, until Independence
Day"is is ns familiar to every American
heart as the very air he breathes.
As politicians, as we'll as pat
riots, we ought to he glad that
this day has come round again, for it
is one of the great resting places in
the journey of politics On this day
men get out of their partisan coach
es, shake the dust from their gar
ments and look back with common
interest and forward with common
anxiety. The past has its useful ex'
periences, the future its grave re-
sponsibilitiSs. There is no time to
improve the one and prepare for tho
other. After all, men are not so far
apart in politics astheir manifesta-
tions indicate. Beneath party excite
nent there is community of interest
and what approaches an identity Of
feeling.
Liberty is not a boon that men are
to sit down and enjoy, 1t is ono that
is to be guarded and defended, His.
tory is fruitful of cxperionce. II
shows that men are better capable Of
liberty than Of preserving
i. BY many sad examples it shows
hat what long years of solf-sacrilico
md devotion achieve, may pass in
Iensibly and without struggle away
like grains of sand through the
lands Of time There is no antago-
list equal to an open contest with
reedom. 1t is never lost in physi-
,al struggle. 1t is overcome only by
low and iasidious approaches The
lrtful policy of Augustus accom-
llished more than the armies Of Cm'
'ar. The diplomacy of Napoleon III,
vas more fatal to republicanism in
France than the arms of Napoleon !
people, when constantly and re-
assured that they are free,
re too apt to permit Gncroachmonts,
o look complacently on the exercise
II unwarranted power as things JUS
ified by necessity" Noplea should !
'e admitted for the Infringement of
fundamental law or the introduce
ion OF an untried system.
Better endure the ills we have,
Than ny TO those we know not Of"
Whenever the provisions Of our
Constitution are lightly regarded,
ven in particular that seems unim-
ortant, we are upon dangerous
round, The exercise Of undelegatcd
uthority by tho Legislature, OF Of
nusual power by tho executive, or
10 establishment Of courts or com
lissions that are not provided for in
10 organic law, are things that
lould be met with prompt and un-
condemnation. Trust moth
~ because We live in an enlightened
go. Power is not to DO trusted.
he people Of all ages have thought
the most enlightened and
10 most secure. But the history OF
le last year of American lndepcnd.
nco shows that majority Of our
oople we're not secure in their right
, select rulers, for minority Prosi-
ant now occupies the place the peo-
Ie desired another to fill. There
re we would urge the people 10
surrender no rightor power
the belief or hope that it will be
turned to you, but while you have
10 power, cling tonaciOusly to it and
lard your interests most sacredjy.
OF only the past year illustrates this
scessity, but oil human experience
I'd reason indicate that If We err in
Iese respects our undeseryed free