Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-07-04
TODAY and Its Suggestions.

colonies appealed to the sympathy of
nations and the justice of Providence in
that memorable declaration which made
this the natal day Of the
republic Five years ago there
dawned its hundredth anniversary, and
the world saw in the proud prosperity,
the boundless resources and matchless
progress of the American Union, the vim
dication of the wisdom, the foresight,
and the patriotic impulses of the men
who pledged their lives, fortunes and
honor to the cause of freedom. The
past five years have but confirmed that
vindication, and to the mind of the pa
triot, impressed with the grandeur of his
country, the future is rosy and bright
with richest promise.
But to him who can trace the trials
and triumphs of our system, from its
humble inception to its mighty realiza-
ton, amid the omens of promise that
confront us at every hand. there are not
absent evidences that invite thought and
questionings That our political frame
work is safe from injury at the hands of
a foreign foe was long since recog-
nized, and the years but add
strength to tine conviction. The peril
to the republic meRaces it from within,
and, though foreseen and provided for
by its trainers, it has not as yet awaken
ed full measure of apprehension. Sec
tional historians have labored to show
that in the late unhappy struggle the
liberty of the American citizen was put
in jeopardy by the course of the South,
and that the dreams of our fathers were
destined to be blasted did their cause
succeed. The student, who examines
the Constitution of the Union and that
of the Confederacy will attest that the
measure of freedom and the security of
its guarantees were larger and stronger
in the modern than in the ancient char
ter. The Union was in peril, but free
dom received its sorest blows from the
license of the victors.
That the Union survived all rejoice,
and its stoutest champions to-day are
the men who twenty years ago withdrew
from it in the consciousness that their
rights were not secure within it. The
Union is safe, but the efforts put forth
for its salvation have survived the
achievement of the end they were aimed
at, and have resulted in a steady
strengthening of the Federal Government
at the expense of the elements that make
up the Union, which awakens the fears
of every man familiar with the genius of
our system and the aims of the men that
framed it.
The old world is to-day marked by
constant struggle between progress and
reaction, and though the final issue of
the conflict may not be doubtful, the
cost of the contest leads many to relegate
its conduct to those that come after
them and to seek refuge where their
hopes may be realized and their impulses
may have play unchecked by the frownS
of caste or the arm of restraint. How
important then that every American
should observe the signs of the times,
read them Alright and be prepared to do
his part toward maintaining the identity
and simplicity of the system that has
done so much for his kindred and
promises so much for the world.
To-day we see this republic, born of
the wisdom of sages, baptized in the
blood of patriots, and nurtured by the
fostering hand of craftsmanship, made
the prey of faction, and at this time,
when peans of thanksgiving should rise
for its preservation, put on a level with
the despotism of the Gar by an assault
upon its foremost citizen, actuated and
suggested by the unbridled license OF
party rancor, which is no less guiltless
than the wretch who sought but few
hours ago the life of the Chief Magis-
trate.
The countless usurpations and en-
croachments that have marked the rule
of Republicanism have gone unrebuked.
The ballot box has been appealed to and
the verdict of approval has again and
again been recorded Its corruptions
have been condoned until to-day it is
honey-combed with rottenness.
If, after the shock to the sense secu-
ri:y and the pride of the nation, which
the dire event of Saturday has caused,
the people do not rouse to the peril that
menaces them, the way is open to the
"strong man." whom the faction that
would have profited by the Presidents
fall are so eager to hail.
Now, if ever, should license be re-
buked and return ordered to the teach
ings and practice of the men of old. Lib
erty, like every treasure, must be guard
ed, and it was proclaimed by him, who
lowered Saul.like among the sages of
the revolution, that eternal vigilance is
its price.