Morning journal and courier., 1891-02-24

into the struggle, not fighting for wealth
or fame, or vengeance or conquest, nor in
mere spirit Of military ardor and pug
nacity. They steadily fought for princi-
ple-"For Self Government, Millions; for
Tribute Not One Cent" They loved their
homes, their farms, their workshops and
studies, but each mans heart was singing
the song to which years after Emerson set
the words
"For what avail the plough or soil.
"Or land or hfe-if Freedom fail"
The souls Of the men of '76 were set in
the attribute of heroism and thence for
ward throughout the long and weary
struggle they felt only contempt for ease
and safety. They scorned the scorners.
They babe defiance to power and its odds.
They disregarded fundamental calcutta
tions and with noble fortitude breasted
/ every danger that confronted them.
"The litanies of nations came,
Like the volcanoes tongue of flame,
Up from the burning cave below
Andfrom such heat arose the spirit of
I '76.
| If. as NewEngland poet has said, :tthat
country Is the fairest which is inhabited
/ by the noblest minds, u then surely Ameri-
| ca, after the declaration of independence,
became the fairest spot on the footstool of
the Almighty. Nor did the spirit of '76
die or fade out when peace was conquered
| and independence achieved. Your toast
| says truly it was the cornerstone of our in
situations.
The war had ended Our birthright had
been guarded and preserved, but the work
Of Washington on earth was not yet COM
pleted. The principles he had fought for
were to be consolidated into institutions
of human government. He and his asso-
ciate delegates met in the city of Philadel-
phia and after four months labor they
| built temple in which the genius of lib
erty was to find her home among the habi-
| tations of men. They enshrined liberty in
the constitution of the United StatesEthe
states united.
Justly interpreted and clearly read, what
| is the constitution of the United States?
It is the capitalization of the spirit of
| '76.
| If our children shall ask us why their
ancestors sought emancipation and indie
| pendence, let us read to them for answer
| the charter of powers with which our
fathers entrusted those called to rule over
them in 1889. The whole story is then in
as good and plain English as the Bible it.
| self-a government of enumerated powers.
| Distinct in its branches to prevent tyran-
ny; it's powers distributed in order that
| plain men could take part in it's admins
tratien; no grant of unqualified power in
! the entire charter, but always a balance,
always check upon every power granted.
As was said by McCauley of the English
declaration of right of 1898: eft made
nothing law which had not been law be-
fore, but continued the germ of every good
law which may hereafter become necessary
for the welfare of the state"
The spirit of 1776 bad been wholly vic
/ f0rlOus IT. Cyaina6 iD6apadanoa and 1ib-
erty founded upon law. And, fellow
| countrymen, is not the spirit that created
eur government essential for its mainte-
| nance. Nay, is it not as necessary to-day
as it was in 1776s
It is the disinterested spirit for the pub.
lie service. Once more, to illustrate it, let
me read an extract from the last will of
George Mason of Virginia: 81 recommend
| it to my sons, from my own experience in
life, to prefer the happiness of independ
ence and private station to the troubles
| and vexations of public business, but if
| either their own inclinations or the neces-
sity of the times should engage them in
| public affairs, I charge them on fathers
blessing never to let motives Of private in
| terest or ambition induce them to betray,
nor the terrors of poverty or disgrace, nor
| the fear of death, deter them from assert
| ing the liberty of their country, and en-
I
those sacred rights to which they them
selves were born"
The country needs to-day, not the shifty,
tricky political manager; men thinking
only of self advancement; whose trade is
the brokerage of official patronage, but the
courage that speaks cut in no uncertain
tone and delivers frankly and fearlessly,
well considered judgments on grave public
issues, whether it be on the free coinage
Of oil L.
disaster to our country; forbearance to
clutch at the powers needed for local self
government in the states; condemnation
of sectional or geographical policies or
prejudices, and common effort for the
common welfare. And have we not an
example in the great son of 1776, whose
memories we reverently celebrate this
afternoons Washington. who as Whittier
has written:
Taught t4gSst, prince and serf that power is but
| And rule alone that serves the ruled is just
| At the close of the ex-secretary's address
three rousing cheers were given for him
with much enthusiasm.
Ex-GovERNoR's HARRISON.
Ex-Governor Henry B. Harrison was
| then called upon to speak of the late Gen.
| eral Sherman.
Inc laSI VOlley mas been hred, said the
Ex-Governor, the last note Of the funeral
dirge has faded away, the grave has taken
him, and Sherman remains alone in mem
ory and glory. He has passed away like
all the other dignitaries of the past before
him, who have done so many noble deeds
for our republic. 1 cannot analyze his
character nor eulogize his fame. 1t has
already been done in every palace and
cabin from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
But Sherman was our kinsman.
Every drop of his blood was
Connecticut blood [applauseI and
he was type of the old Connecticut stock.
The Connecticut breed of men, the men
who settled this commonwealth, had this
as chief characteristic: They were mill
tary and warlike race, small as they were,
and they have shown this spirit down to
the present time. Under their first great
captain, John Mason, they fought and e1-
terminated their Indian foes. The brave
men who went forth in her little armies to |
defend her neighbor colonies were volun-
teers. In the revolutionary struggle |
he gave even more men than |
were asked, more in comparison with |
her population, than any of her sister |
states. 1t was o military spirit, and it e1- |
lists to-day. There was Mason and Put |
nam, who commanded the American army