, 1889-05-02

Theresa and Frederick the Great. The
royal will of Gporge the Third could crowd
the American colonies into rebellion and
wage war upon them until thev were lost
to his Kingdom. bot the authority OF ne
crown has devolvpd upon ministers VINO
hold Office subject to the approva' or me
representatives of the people. and Tn"
equal powers of the house of lords nave
become vested in the commons. leaving
to the peers only the shadow OF their an
cient priyileRes. But to-day. the Ameri-
can people, after all the dazzling
DKvRLopMENrs or THE CENTURY,
are still happily living under the govern
ment of Washington. The constitution
during all that period mas , netn smenuea sha an.
inai instrument. and Ia conformity with
The recorded opinion of the fathers. The
Grs, ereat addition was the Incorporation
of a biil of rights, and the last the EN-.
heda;nv into the constitution of the i'm.
mortal principle OF the Declaration of lnde.
nendence-of the equality Of all men
before the law. No crisis has been too
perilous for its powers; no evolution too
rapid for its adoption, and no expansion
beyond it's easy grasp and administration
II has assimilated diverse nationalitles
with warning traditions. customs, condi-
tions and languages, imbued them with
its spirit. and won their passionate 10y
atty and love.
The flower OF the youth of tho nations
of Continental Europe are conscri pted
from productive enterprises anddrlling IN
camps Vast armies stand ia bastle array
along the frontiers, and u kaiser's whim
or minister's mistake may precipltate
the most destructive war of modern times.
Both monarchial and republican govern
ments are seeking safety Ia the repression
and suppression OF opposition and criti-
cism The volcanic forces OF democratic
aspiration and socialistic revolt are rap
idly increasing and threaten peace and
security. Weturn from these gathering
storms to the British isles and find their
people ia the
THROEs OF A POLITICAL CRISIS,
involving the form and substance of their
government, and their statesmen far from
confident that the enfranchis d and unpre-
pared masses will wisely use their power.
But for US no army exhausts our re-
sources nor consumes our youth. Our
navy must needs increase in order that the
protecting flag may follow the expanding
commerce. which is to successfully COM
pete in oil the markets in the world. Tue
sun OF our destiny is still rising, and its
iays illumine vast territories as yet un-
occupied and undeveloped, and which are
20 be the happy homes of millions of peo-
pie. The questions which affect the
powers of the government and the expau-
sion or Limitation OF the authority of the
Federal constitution are 80 com plete-
2y settled and 30 unanimously APP
proved. that our political divisions produce
only the healthy Rnta9onism OF parties
which il necessary for the preservation of
liberty. Our institutions furnish the full
equipment OF shield and spear for the bat
which threatens the welfare OF the people
will always be found in the intelligence
which appreciates their value, and the cour.
age and morality with which tn ir powers
are exercised. The spirit of Washington
fills the executive office, Presidents may
not rise to the full .. measure of
his greatness, but they must not
fall below his standard OF public duty
and obligation. His life and char
acter, conscientiously studied and thor.
oughly understood by coming generations.
will be for them q liberal education for
private life and public station, for citizen
ship and p ,triotism, for love and devotion
to union and liberty. With their inspir-
ing past and splendid present, the people
of these United States, heirs of hundred
years marvelously rich in all which adds
TO the glory and greatness of nation,
with an abiding trust in the stability and
elasticity of their constitution, and an
abounding faith in themselves, hail the
coming century with hope and JOY.
Mr. Depew was frequently interrupted
by applause which at times became so en-
thusiastic that the orator was unable to
proceed for more than minute.