The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-07-04

,his groat day. hallowcd by so many pa
,r,o,ic memories that associate the south
oternalIy with liberty, remember that those
who are so busily seeking TO forge chains
for the Southern people, belong TO pand vi
conspirators, in spite of the fact that tney
represent so powerful and influential asec-
ton of Northern sentiment. IL is a mere
temporary faction innamed to acts OF ues-
peration and outrageous disregard OF prih-
ciple BY a welI-founded apprehension 'ha'
national power will pass from their hands,
unless they entrench themselves by every
possible means in their present position Oh
advantage. Upon this, the most men,
orable Of all the days in the Amerl-
can calendar. we are 10th 10 think
that the American people at large are pre-
nared TO look on indinerenty as the Con-
sttution of the Republic is being tTampled
under foot. and every lesson enforced by
It's founders ignored. Rather. we prefer 10
think in this hour, that the success OF the
Republican party in Congress is merely
temporary. and that the revolutionary leg
islation which they are aiming toenact VIII
no balked before il can become part OF
the fundamental law Of the land.
In its general bearings, and as day in
dependent Of passing factions, temporary
party organizations, and transient primer
Piles. the Fourth Of July may well arouse
the enthusiasm, mot only Of the American
citizen. but of all, in every land, VINO
cherish liberty as n right, inherent ana
inoljenable. Transmitted from Heaven
itself. The little band Of patriots who met
in Philadelphia in l776, and proclaimed on
the fourth day Of July Of that year the
principles embodied in the declaration,
were men. who for the time being, repre-
scented the people, the toiling masses, OF
every country on the globe, and not merely
a comparatively small body Of Inhabitants
of a few English colonies lying upon the
American coast Of the Atlantic. only once
before in a peaceful assembly had a band
of men come together TO formulate
principles Of equal Importance IN
their bearings on the destimes of mankind,
and that was when the English Barons
wrested the Great Charter from the hand
of John upon the banks of Runnymede. The
Declaration is more memorable document
in some respects than Magma Carta, for
its principles .are more generalized in
their character, and more universal in their
scope. 1t is proclamation ofrights inherit
ed from nature. and not merely statement
of civil and social privileges. In every
sense of the word, it is the most conspicu-
Gus beacon light in the history of the people
of the whole world. As the power of De
mocracy extends, as the masses rise and
the privileged individual sinks in impor-
lance, that beacon light only grows more
powerful in the influence which iteXercises.
In no respect are the American people
more fortunate than in this, that I'm the
very forefront Of their national history
there rise character illustriOus upon a
phenomenal scale for exalted patriotism
and unblemished integrity, the character
of Washington, and a public document that
has been accepted over the whole face of the
civilized globe, as the charter of liberty,
the Declaration Of Independence. With
such powerful historic influences as these
in their past, it is hard to believe that the
American people will ever very seriously
decline in their love of freedom or their de-
votion to principles which are essential TO
the maintenance of our national govern
ment on the foundation on which it was
laid by the fathers Of the Republic. They
may at times appear TO grow indil-
ferent to these principles, but it can only be
for a time. The Republican spirit in its
purity, must still survive.in their breasts.
To think otherwise, is to abandon all hope
for the substantial progress of civilization
in the world, for under the forms of free
government alone, is civilization after all
worthy of careful preservation.
As long as the Almighty Power, whose
existence the whole frame and system Of
the universe proclaims, governs the course
of events on earth, the American Republic
will not only stand, but it will stand in a
form that will be a tower Of strength to the
hopes and liberties Of all mankind.