The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-08-08

BILE; the people were educated and free
only in name, many of them suffering
from poverty, mental repression and re
ligious persecution. In America the
people were indeed free; but tEcir free
dom was so perverted as to lead them
into many inhuman excuses. Here the
mental and moral night Of the world was
broken only by the feeble lamp Of ma
turo.
Bnt the bells rang out, and the daring
genius of Columbus ushered III new
era both for Europe and America. With
the discovery of America the oppression
of the Old World passed away and the
liberty of the Now was set mp among
mankind.
To day We, the descendants of the
European and American, stand foremost
in the files of time. The centuries lie
behind us, like fruitful fields, CLEANED of
harvests.
New discoveries, rev achievements
and new aspirations have become the
rich possessions of the people. Human
thought expands the circle of its intlu-
ence, and the ages, like ome-Ycturning
ships, continue to empty their riches
upon the abodes of men.
The conscience hears the bell of change
and rises to higher and purer faith.
Superstition and pious bigotry no longer
stain the ground with the blood of a fcl-
low devotce; but everywhere the spirit
of tolerance lends its charm to the senti-
ment and life of the people. Every one
may come to God ''under his own vine
fig tree and none dare make him
afraid"
1t may be asked "Nhat has been &C
complshcd since the Old Liberty Bell
rang out that man was free ?" Many
have been the achievements; but we
have time to mention only few; We
have learned the science and art Of gov
ernment; law is now protection for the
people, and not means for their OPP
preston; our science has girdled the
earth with wires, whose whispers ring
to us III moment, and across land and
sea the incidents transpiring thousands
of miles away. Steam has lent its force
to the accomplishment of life's most Oh
binary purposes; it prints our books,
turns our mills and drives our ships
across the sea. Mans only proper slave,
it plows his fields, reaps his grain and
carries the travel and commerce of the
world. Nor is its real value yet rung in.
The time may come when it will sweep
our rooms, rock the cradle and arrange
the parlor chairs.
By means of free schools and the print
ing press, the long night of ignorance
has been rung out, and tho bright morn
of universal intelligence is made to dawn
on the world. The means of liberal
education arc being placed within the
reach of all, and general information is
diffused throughout the length and
breadth of the land. Anciently, privil-
eyes were only for favored class; now
every man is of royal birth, and may
rightfully claim equality with the rest.
Now the farmer boy may leave his plow
in the furrow and take his seat in school
by the side of him who is of more
wealthy parentage. The paths that lead
to position and power are open to all.
The son of tho peasant may become a
general of armies, or President of the
United States. Rank is the award of
merit, and not matter of traditional
descent.
Ring out the old
And ring in the new!''
Yes, ring on. portentious bells, ring
on the changes, till mans inhumanity
to man" shall cease to make its count
less thousands mourn
Much of injustice continues to reign.
In many places the weak are oppressed
and the strong exalted. Nation still
makes war with nation. The sword is
never satisfied. At the command of
Kings, Queens and Presidents it still
walks the earth in quest of human gore.
The most refined and Christian ma.
tions, under pretense of protecting their
interests, will throw themselves upon
the weaker tribes of men-call them
savages, and inilict upon them the dread
havoc of war.
What a fearful state of things. With
such scenes as these before his eyes, one
would almost wish to inquire if indeed
the world be on the side of improve
ment?
Even all the bells of all the churches
have so far failed to ring out injustice,
and the spirit of war, and ring in the
golden period when man shall love his
ncighbor as himself.
But the Apostle Paul says: eff any
man be in Christ he is new creature:
old things are passed away; behold all
things are become new" And again:
"We also should walk in newness of
life" Then let us
Ring out the slowly dying cause
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless GOODNESS of the times.
Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic SANDER and the spite.
Ring in the love of truth and right;
Ring in the common love of good.
Ring in the valiant man and free.
The larger heart, the kindlier hand
Ring ont the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Cnris. that is to be"
A Severe Reprimand from tho Preside,.,.
A special to the New York Times from
Cincinnati says that PRECEDENT Cleveland
recently made a judicial appointment in
Ohio in favor of which numnrnnslu