Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-07-09

Anouey. EHSldHu was Jnen trying to-
convince the world that our new found
liberties could not be sustained She
tried to keep Holland and France from
making alliances with u.s.. France went
| as security for the interest on our debt to
Holland. France stood by us. The
name of Lafayette was tower Of strength
to our cause. Seeds of liberty were soWn
in France by those who fought with us the
Revolutionary war. France is Republic.
to-day. Not such Republic as ours, but
still Republic among the monarchies of
Europe.
Then there sprang up a local spirit
among the states, each one seeking to
protect itself in its own way. Each de-
vising it's own system of internal improve
ments, and establishing it's finances. The
state was ready to fall to pieces. At that
time the country seemed about to become
the prey Of every European government
which had not recognized our freedom.
Washington left his home and labored
necessarily in the interests of the cause.
Patrick Henry spoke against the Con-
stitution. Washington said the condition
OF the government gave him more care
and anxiety than he felt during the war.
A wreck then would have been wreck
forever. There was the same love of
liberty then that characterize us now.
(Applause.) It showed Itself in various
forms. Some were afraid of having
President, lest power should be central
lied too much in him. Others were
afraid of a Senate, lest that should lead
to an aristocracy. They were afraid of
giving power TO anyone. Liberty and
government were imperilled for many
years. Monroe quarelled with Washing
ton. Hamilton lifted up his mighty
vOiofl in OnnOcitiOn II 1vo for 1i1,or+xv
but differed as to how its interests should
be promoted, The forming of the consti-
tuition had to be put off until it could be
safely done.
In February, 1889, Gen. Washington
was elected President of the United
States. and inaugurated in April, Of the
same year.
Compare the condition of our country
now with what it was then. Then the
colonies were independent and weak,
and at the mercy of enemies at home and
abroad, but to-day we are united coun-
try with stable government, popula-
ton of 50,0O0,000 of people, and have
treaty relations with all nations: We
have general prosperity beyond that en-
Joyed by any other nation on the earth.
We ought therefore to come together and
devoutly celebrate this return of the
national anniversary Of our independence.
1t is a marvel that the fathers gave us
so grand a government. They had
no model. It was a wonderful piece
OF work. Documents were searched con-
tanning the history of other Republics as
Greece and Switzerland, but they were
passed by as worthless, because the
fathers intended to institute q govern
ment not found elsewhere. One star
guided them, the development of the in
dividual. They wrought for the largest
liberty. l am amazed at what they
achieved: Bancroft says ''The iConsti-
tuition OF the United States was the grand
recognition of. Individuality" We have
no recognition of lords and serfs, and
because OF that we get our great strength.
That government is best which governs
the least, which confers upon men the
greatest possible guarantee of liberty
consistent with government. 1t recog-
nized the Individual man, and brought
into marvellous progress and develop
ment the prosperity of the country.
Amid all the political controversies
the safeguards of liberty, secured under
the first and second administrations of
Washington, and the administration of
John Adams, have been maintained. A
stronger love of individual liberty pre-
walls now than ever before. If the hearts
OF the people are right, what have we to
fear for the future. Our physical re-
sources are immense and inexhaustible,
and we need have no fear save from the
morals Of the people. Yonder churches
and school house are the bulwarks of our
liberties. Let all our social and moral
forces be cultivated. These underlie the
perpetuity of our free institutions. Our
fathers did their work well. Let us do
ours as well.
Will the man who has seen the pro-
gress of our country for the last so years,
say the progress of the next so years will
be as great? l do not believe it will be.
We have seen during that time the inven-
ton of the telegraph, the railroad, steam
navigation and other great discoveries
too numerous to mention. If this rate of
progress continues to be made for the
next 80 years, will our government be
able to meet the demands made upon it?
! do not know why it may not. Ibelieve
in nationalism. Shall we fear to enunci-
ate our principles. Should not our in
tuence be felt in the earth? No govern
ment is run so economically as ours.
Our government has destiny. No
nation would think of attacking us. Let
us accept our destiny and labor for it's
perpetuation. We have had men we
ought not to forget. They came to us IN
the course of human events. Their
words and deeds should be indelibly i'm
pressed upon the minds of the people,
Rome was mighty once, and majestic in
her power, but she had no government
like ours. Our government is grander
than any existing, or that has ever pre-
coded it. But with all it's grandeur and
all its manifest destiny, we must not for
get the words of Abraham Lincoln that
1T is government of the people, for
the people, and by the people,"
Washington uttered words wiser than
ever fell from the lips of Plato, when he
said that with the cultivation of virtues
and intelligence, the grand structure of
our government will stand through the
lapse of ages.
Those desiring refreshments were amply
provided for at McC lelland's block, where
the ladies of the Baptist church had
spread an elegant feast. Over 800 dinner
tickets were sold. The young ladies
served ice cream and strawberries. Net
proceeds about $780,
The afternoon was devoted to sports.
There were wheelbarrow races, one for
large boys, and one for small boys, 9
prizes being given in each case of $3.50
and Is cents.
Then followed 2 blindfold races open to
the same parties on the same conditions.
An interesting sack race participated in
by five contestants, caused much merri-
ment. NJ
The potato race was nimbly contested
Last of all came the bycicle race be-
tween Al. Friedrich and Nordahl Solner,
the course being five times around the
courthouse square, distance II miles.
Al. Friedrich won the first prize, $6, time
5 minutes 6 Seconds. Solner received the
second prize, 81.
The street amusements were under the
charge of J. r. Webb, w. F. Sutherland,
H. E. Cook and others, who took great
pains in preparing the exciting and side
splitting entertainment upon the street.
Co, G gave specimen of its nrof1ciencv