Arizona weekly citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Ariz) 1880-1901, 1891-07-11
~ ititKLY CITIZEN
SATURDAY. il, 1891
OUR NATAL DAY.

OUR NATAL DAY.
One hundred and fifteen years ago tn
Declaration of Independence was signeC
by the legally constituted representative
OF the thirteen little English colonies
bordering the Atlantic OCEAN, Nortf
America Little did the most sagaciou.
and far-seeing of that neble band o.
patriots comprehend the limit, less im-
portance, of the document to which they
attached their signatures on July 4th
ZIG. To many it was not a pleasant
thought thus to sever their allegiance to
the mother country, but when once
thoroughly conviced Of what duty called
them to do, there was no longer ques-
tion as to where they should stard, the
decision was at once emphatic ana final:
duty first, expediency afterward, They
realized the incoptrovertible truth SO
forcibly expressed by immortal John
Hancock in the prophetic words, "if we
do not hang together We shall hang
separate:;". GT1he wSs1ome, theix choice
has never been gainsaid.
The instrument signed on that mem
orable day did not mean liberty for the
limited district embraced by the historic
thirteen colonies alone. nor merely for
the territory then and thereafter to be
known as the United States of America,
nor did 1t mean emancipation from des-
potlc rule of the several divisions Of the
western hemisphere only, but it proved
the most decisive blow ever hurled
against the usurpation of power through
out the civilized world. The influence
OF that example has been the most far
reaching in its effects ever known 10
history, Strengthening 10 the weak, and
stimulating the strong, to the effect that
there is not a nation on the face (
the earth that has not been benefit
ted by it. that does not occupy higher
plane by reason Of the vital principles
enunciated by our forefathers. and en-
grated into the constitution of this
United States. Prior to July 4th. I776. |
it may be said without fear Of success !
ful contradiction, that no true republic |
had ever existed. In the nearest ap- |
proach to republican form of govern |
ment, the favored few only had a voice |
IN its management. Gradually but |
none the less surely since then - the
tendency increased toward greater .:bsr-
- everywhere. With the universal ard
more extensive dissemination CT intel
lgence comes the irresistible demand |
for more Of the God given and inaliena
bic rights of man, among which are
those of life liberty and the pursuit OF
happiness. Concession continually fol.
lows concession.
The example of American independ- |
ence may be regarded as the entering
wedge that shall ultimately upset every
throne in the world, destroying ali
hereditary authority, and perpetuating
only the true doctrine th6t sail govern
meats derive their just powers Only
from the consent Of the governed" OuI
authority for this view is based upon
the indisputable fact that the world is
advancing, knowledge is becoming more
universal, the awe inspired OF royalty,
the worship OF crowns, is waning. Note
the progress: When our representative
form Of government was established
there was not a single one of this char
acter in the western world, while now
there are rome in either North or South
America that are not representative
Furthermore there is not single crown
ed head Of Europe who can rest with |
any degree of security on the prospect
OF holding the reins during life and
Transmitting such authority to his or
her progeny.
Whilst many evils arise in our form of
government, many miscarriages Of JUS I
tice, our people themselves are respons-
iose for them and have no right to COM
plain. A govern nent cannot be better
than the people who represent it, and no
law which is not backed by moral sup
port Of the community over which it
exists can be expected % accomplish its
true purpose. Our hope as a peope
lies in our adherence to moral and
religious principles, and the fostering Of :,
oCr public school system. Church and
state must forever remain separate, and
the education Of our youth must en-
brace industrial training that shall
properly equip them for the battle of
life, that they may in the largest sense
become useful citizens, not forgetting
the self sacrificing example by which We
as nation are blest, but ever remember
ing that eternal vigilence is the price of
liberty" It therefore behoves Us as
worthy descendants Of the heroes of
1776 to give passing heed to the occasion,
TO celebrate it with ever increasing zeal
and patriotism-yea 20 honor it as the
proudeet day in American history.