Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-07-04
d" Independence Day Has Come

LAY Las OSA-AS'
One hundred and fourteen years
ago to-day, fi'-r SIX Lold, honest and
heroic nien, the representatives OF
few feeble colonies scattered along the
Atlantic seaboard, met in convention
to found new empire based upon the
inalienable rights of man. Seven
years of bloody conflict cnsued, and
the 4th of July, MIG, is canonized in
the hearts of the great and good as
the jubilee of oppressed nationalities,
and in the calendar of heroic deeds it
marks new era in the history OF the
race. A century has passed away and
those few feeble colonists, hemmed in
bv the ocean in front, the wilderness
and the savage in the rear, have
spanned vast co1tinen with great
empires OF free States, re: ing through
out its former wilderness temples of
science and Of civiliza IN upon the
ruins of savage life. II ppiness, sell
dom if ever equaled, his surrounded
the domestic iiresiJc, and prosperity
unsurpassed has crowned the national
energies. The liberties OF the people
have been secured at home and
abroad, while the national ensign
floats honored in every commercial
mart of the world. Gepins is free to
announce its inventions and discoye-
ries, and the hand is free to accom-
plish whatever the head conceives not
incompatible with the rights of fell
low-being. All distinctions OF birth
and rank are ignored; all citizens,
whether native or adopted, are placed
upon terms of precise equality, all are
entitled to equal rights and equal pro-
lection. No union exists between
church and state, and perfect freedom
of opinion is guaranteed to all seets
and creeds.
But we are not indebted alone for
our proud nationality, to the heroic
deeds and patriotic sacrifices of the
early founders OF the Republic. Sec
tional STRIFE and discord induced a
powerful attempt - destroy the Union
Of our Fathers, but the appeal to the
arbitrament OF the sword failed, and
the national standard and honor was
preserved from the perils which
threatened it by the valor and patriot
ism OF the noble sons OF brave sires;
and the blood which was shed in that
conflict has only the more closely
cemented the bonds Of union and in
tensified the love for our common
country. Let no uncharitable reflec-
tons or vengeful feelings against our
Southern brethren cloud the glory of
the day. with tears and love for
the grey" let us only remember, with
out rancor or prejudice, that the blood
Of Northern and Southern soldiers,
freely and conscientiously shed upon
the fields Of carnage, has triumphantly
solved the great problem of self-gov-
eminent and made our country the
bulwark OF strength, the sheet anchor
of peace, the asylum of the oppressed
the throne OF liberty and the hope Of
the world.
Let this be day of joy and glory.
of honor and thanksgiving. Let the
merchant and the tradesman and the
farmer leave the counter, the work.
: shop and the pillow, let each heart con-
secrate itself anew on the altar of our
country. Float the banners and fire
the cannons! Let the air vibrate
with the patriotic strains of music!
Sing loud tho freeman's song, and let
each patriot, inspired by the spirit
breathing to us from the glorious and
hallowed memories of the past and
the battle-ields of the Republic. join
in the glad refrain of Libertys
- Great GGd we thank thee for this homo
This beautioua birthland of the free;
Where wanderers from afar may come,
And breathe the air Of liberty
sill may her flowers uutrampled spring.
Her harvests wave, her cities rise,
And yet till time will fold his wing,
Remain Earth's loveliest paradisel