Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-06-29

Our tation'> Birthday.
One lundrc'i anri seven yrt'. ~"
next Weinasi-,y. ii y-,N bold. uo'i-
est and heroic ran, the repic9rlta-
tivt. III lev feeble col rui.> ,catt,lrd
along tue Aitmj.c sr.bJtrd, mt III
CONVENTION 10 found Il New eiHi'il
basel upon the inaienahi" rights OF
man. Seven yeal- ~ bloody ccLhlct
en,u Il. and The t II ri July. lf'G, Is
cauo inZed III the hearts OF the great
and good rs the l:'i.ce 81 oppressed
ma ioua lilies. an III the calendar Of .
hetolc deeds II marks new era III
the history of the race. Little over |
acentury la, passed away and those !
few feeble coioui>t>, h.'Dn.et n by
the ocean lii front, Tie WILDERNESS
and the s,Ia4r III the rrIY, haze
snanued Vas. cJntintAt, With great
en- ,Jires oi ire Safes, Ieal!lg
thruuyhoul It's former wilderness,
temples OF science and OF .IviZt-
ton upon the ruins OF savage HE.
Happiness, seldom if ever eIualed,
has surrounded tue dolIestlc fire.
side, and prosperity unsurpassed
has crowned the national energies.
The liberties of tie people have
been secured at home and abroad,
while the national ensign floats
honored and respected i'll every COM
mercial part OF the world. Genius
is able to announce Its inventions
and discoveries and the hand is free
to accomplish whatever the heart
conceives not incompatible with tue
rights of fellow. being. All dis
tinctions of birth and rank are ig-
nored; all citizens, whether native
or adopted, are placed upon terms
of precise equality, all are entitled
TO equal rights and equal protection.
No union exists between church and
state, and perfect freedom of opin-
ion is guaranteed to all sects and
creeds.
But we are not indebted alone for
our proud nationality, to the heroic
deeds and patriotic sacrifices of the
early founders Of the Republic.
Sectional strife and discord induced
powerful attempt to destroy the
Union of our Fathers, but the ap-
peal to the arbitrament of the sword
failed, and the national standard
and honor was preserved from the
perils which threatened it, by the
valor and patriotism of the noble
sons of brave sires; and the blood
which was shed in that coutiict has
only the more closely cemented the
bonds of union and intensified the
love for our common country. Lei
no uncharitable reflections or venge
fnl feelings against our Southern
brethren cloud the glory OF the day
With tears of love for the blue
and love and tears fer the grey" le
us only remember, without rancol
or prejudice, that the blood o
Northern and Southern soldiers
freely aud conscieutiously shed upol
the fields of carnage, has triumphant
ly solved the great problem OF self
government aud made our countr,
the bullwark OF strength, the shee
anchor of peace, the asylum of thu
oppressed, the throne of liberty ant
the hope of the world.
Let the anniversary be day o
joy and glory, of honor and thanks
giving. Let the merchant and tn
tradesman and the farmer leave tn
counter the workshop and the pillow
let each heart consecrate itself aney
on the altar of our country. Floa
the banners and fire the cannons
Let the air v.brate with the patriot
strains of music /! Sing loud th
freeman's song, aud let each patriot
inspired by the spirit breathing t
us from the glorious and hallowe
memories of the pas, and the battle
fields of the Republic, join in til
glad refrain of Liberty
"Great God we thank thee for this home
This beautious birthland OF the free
Where wanderers from afar may come
And breathe the Dir OF liberty
Still may her flowers untrampled sprin.
Her harvests wave, her cities rise,
And yet till time will fOlo his wing,
Remain Earth's loveliest paradise