The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-07-12

tremble under the march of armed
hosts, ours enjoys the serene happiness
that peace guarantees.
With what Just pride may we re
gard our native country! How should
our bosoms swell with patriotism when
we reflect upon the dark night through
which it came; tossed by adverse Storms,
purified by the blood of the noblest OF
human kind. How dear to our hearts
is every place OF honor whore fell the
brave who fought that we may not be
among the down-trodden Of the earth.
But while we thus regard our forefa-
theirs with flial gratitude, we must
awake to the fact that other powers
have passed away, and that ours may
perish too; and will perish when we
neglect to cultivate the principles of
honor, justice and integrity; when we
regard self and neglect the virtues that
characterize noble manhood.
Nations, like men, have their period
of youth, vigor and decay; their career
Of prosperity depends on like causes to
those which govern the condition OF hu-
man beings.
Our country has been the Joy Of
many, oppressed by other nations, who
have come to our hospitable shores.
We ourselves, eager for our own free-
dom and aglow with patriotism, would
regret to see our stars and stripes pass
from the ornament Of freedom and
sink in starless night; to US it would be
the extinguishing OF the brightest beams
of Joy. No spectacle could east sad
der, gloomier pail over the face of the
world that hopes for liberty than that
this government should yield the golden
sceptre Of self-government into the hand
of crowned authority.
There are two courses, one leading
to prosperity, honor, happiness and per
petuity, and the other to anarchy and
ruin. The one is followed by pursuing
the true, good, honest course OF conduct,
the other by allowing vice, injustice and
faIschood TO be the prevailing influence.
Each one OF US has an important part
to perform, and which another cannot
10 for Us.
A nation is composed Of It's elemen-
tary parts, which consist ultimately OF
each human being within its dominion.
That nation whose people have i true
perception Of the principles OF justice,
law and order VIII have the better Op-
portJnity to continue its existence.
Good lives unity the people; evil con
duct sewers the strongest ties that WIS
dom can unite. Our nation owes Is
splendid position TO the unified interests
n a great diversity working for the
good OF their common country.
Every nation whose people are
learned, educated people possesses tbs
greatest degree Of freedom; hence, IS tie
happieat nation The individual yields
part OF bis personal freedom when he
enters into governments, and the near
est perfection is in a nation where 1t
takes the least liberty away consistent
with national preservation. Fer the
good OF our government every member
OF society should be educated in the
principles and history of our constitu-
ton. This would induce more loyal
spirit and allow the greatest latitude in
personal freedom.
Indeed, every man, woman and child
should be instructed in the common
branches Of learning. BY each citizen
having well-informed mind our nation
will assert its claim TO highest honor
and greatest perpetuity.
When a nation is known more by its
vices than by It's virtuesthere viii soon be
an end to its existence. Crime is com
mitted more where the people are illit-
crate than where they possess know
ledge. Rome lost her power and went
to decay because its entire being was
permeated by vice. Vice had corroded
the bonds OF society; the sacred duties
and obligations were obliterated; and
Rome-that had withstood the shocks
Of ages-fell not because no more brave
men were left to march under its ban
ners, but because its sinews Were rusted
through 10y the vices that characterized
its last history There was no bond to
unite the people for common defense
and mutual renown.
Now is tottering an aged nation,
Turkey, enervated by the ineihciency
OF its rulers, not because IL lacks the
armed hosts to contend on the battle
field, but because her life principle has
gone to decay, her ruleIs have no Eore