The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1889-05-09
and the firm support of civiliza-
ton and liberty.

Steam and electricity have
changed the commerce not only.
they have revolutionized also
the governments of the world.
They have given to the press its
power and brought all races and
nationalities into touch and sym
pathy. They have tested and
ars trying the strength IF all
systems TO stand tho strain and
conform to the conditions which
follow the terminating influen-
ces of American democracy. At
the time of the Inauguration of
Washington seven royal fami-
lies ruled as many kingdoms in
Italy, but six of thcm have seen
their thrones overturned aud
their countries disappear fiom
the map of Europe. Most os
the Kings, Princes, Dukes and
Margraves of Germany, who
reigned despotically and sold
their soldiers for foreign service
have passed into history, and
their heirs have neither prerog-
atives nor domain. Spain has
gone through many violent
changes and the permanency Of
her present government seems
to derend upon the feeble life
of an infant Prince. France,
our ancient friend, with repeal
and bloody revolutions, has tri-
ed the government Of Bourbon
and Convention, of Directory
and Consulate, of Empire and
Citizen King, of hereditary Sow
ereign and Republic, of Empire,
and gain Republic. The Haps-
burg and the HOhenzollern, af-
ter convulsions which have rock
ed the foundations of their
thrones, have been compelled to
cOncede constitutions to their
people and to divide with them
the arbitrary power welded so
automatically and brilliantly by
Maria Theresa and Frederick
the Great. The royal will of
George the Third could crowd
the American colonies into re-
bellion. and wage war upon them
until they were lost to his king
dom, but the authority Of the
Crown has devolved upon min
listers who hold Office subject to
the approval of the representa-
tives of the people, and the
equal powers OF the House Of
Lords have become vested in
the Commons, leaving to the
Peers only the shadow of their
ancient privileges. But to-day
the American people, after all
the dazzling developments of the
century, are still happily living
under the Government Of Wash
ington. The Constitution during
all that period has been amend
ed only upon the lines laid down
in the original instrument and
in conformity with the recorded
opinions of the Fathers. The
first great addition was the in
corporation of a Bill of Rights,
and the last the imbedding into
the Constitution of the imnor-
tai principle of the Declaration
of Independence-ot the equali-
ty of all men before the law.
No crisis has been too perilous
for its powers, no evolution too
rapid for it's adaptation, and no
expansion beyond its easy grasp
and administration. s1t has as
simulated diverse nationallties
with warning traditions, GUS
toms, conditions and languages
imbued them with its spirit and
won their passionate loyalty and
love.
The flower of the youth OF
the nations Of Continental Eu.
rope are conscripted from pro,
ductive industries aud drilling in
camps. Vast armies stand in
battle array along the frostiers
and a Kaiser's whim or a Minis
ter's mistake may precipitate
the most destructive war OF
modern times. Both monarchi
cal and republican governments
are seeking safety i'll the repres
sion and suppression of opposi.
ton and criticism. The volca
mic forces of democratic aspira
ton and socialistic revolt are
rapidly increasing and threaten
peace and security. We tnrr
from these gathering storms t.
the British Isles and find theil
people in the throes of a politi
cal crisis involving the form ani
substance of their Government
and their statesmen far from
confident that the enfranchisei
and unprepared masses viii
wisely use their power.
But for us no army exhaust
our resources nor consumes ou
youth, Our navy must need
increase in order that the pro
tecting flag may follow the ex
panding commerce, which is t.
successfully compete in all tb
markets of the world. The SUI
of our destiny is still rising, an
its rays illumine vast Territorie
as yet unrccupied and undevel
oped, and which are to be tn
happy homes of millions of pee
pie. The questions which affec
the powers uf government an
: the exDansiOn or limitation c