The record-union., 1891-07-06


est pages of a worlds history. From that
time on this Government has been one
continual demonstration of the perma-
nancy of republics.
But while with candor we acknowl-
edge our thanks to the centuries for all
| the solved problems of life which they
have given us, for their examples of
warning and their fruits of success. we
nevertheless claim this to be new era in
the realms of enterprise and new world
IN the science of government.
Apart then from council-halls, from
dreaded attle-fields, from the marts
where trade engages the throng and
holds the people; from the halls where
even-handed justice sits supreme deter
mining the rights of civil conflicts; with
/ the hours given over to contemplation
and happiness, but with the doors of a
mighty past opened unto us for retro
spection, let us consider all that has made
America dear, and ask of each man and
woman what part he or she intends to
assume in the great race of a nations life.
| The American people then stand upon a
high plane, overlooking field where
memory can summon everything that
has been sublime in struggle, heroic in
action, wise in contemplation and perfect
/ in the social conditions Of people.
But the American people are over
| wrought with the anticipation of more
glorious era, and in such mood, like the
mariner out upon the sea, he is less
| guardful of the rocks and shoals when
the sun shines brightly and no storms
| hang unbalanced over the deep, so are
they less guardful of the great Ship of
State in times of tranquil peace. What
ever may be the character of a govern
ment, whether unstable, weak and cor
rupt, or the perfection of purity, force
and grandeur, it but partalzes of the char
acter Of its people. Hence for the eradi-
off,
Ito the people.
Then for few moments let us look at
| history for the good it teaches by way of
| examples. There is no man, however
high his standing or proud his name, but
has some of the vicious elements of ma
ture in him. There is no man, however
humble, but has some of the lofty char
acteristicS of manhood There is no gov
ernment so great, but its history is re-
! plete with warnings. There is no nation
so insignificant but it's national life
teaches some good. Hence, Egypt, where
once centered the glory of world, is no
| more to us than the old Aztec civilization
that faded beneath the chivalry OF Spain,
except that it furnishes more examples for
| thought, study and reflection. We nat
urally find, then, that all governments
partake of the social condiuons OF the
people.
Hence let US see what most tends to
IL ~
Social equality should be at the found
alton of all society. 1t ettaces those dis
! tinctions which bring about distrust and
antagonisms among the people. No citi-
zen should be so proud but he can mingle
in the common concerns of life, No sta
ton should be so high as to elevate man
above the daily surroundings, cares, mis-
fortunes or successes Of his fellow men.
| The Government is maintained for all its
people, and that aristOcracy should be de-
stroyed which demands more than virtue
and refinement in woman and honor and
dignity in man. Distinction is laudable
only when it tends to elevate quality,
merit, virtue and honor upon the highest
plane of social preferment and surrounds
its station with allurements that will
| bring the youth to worship at the shrine
of true nobility. Society should be a
social bond to redeem and elevate the
human race. Certainly choice of COM
panionship will and ought to obtain, for
it simply follows the dictates Of reason
and friendship, but it should be deter
mined without reference to station and
wealth.
"There is link between the social or
der and the State so strong that one can
not exist without the other, and in order
to inspire mans patriotism you should
permit him to share in the exercise of
social rights. Loyalty is not what
it was when it animated the hearts
of the ancients; it does not wor-
ship blindly. The Spartan mothers
last injunction to her son ere he marched
to battle was to return either with or
upon his shield The heart of loyalty
/ in those days beat more exultingly over
conquests in battle; there was more hero
worship; there was more idolatry. To-
day loyalty busies the mind of the
American citizen in the daily affairs OF
life; in the common advancement of his
devoted to the usefulness of the age; in
the steamship; in the railway; in tanning
the death-dealing currents of electricity
in the prOgressions and developments OF
material wealth in the thoughts that
shake mankind. The people in such a
mood, studying problems Of finance. OF
speculation and scientific development,
are apt to lose sight of their patriotic
duties to their country.
Where the governing power of a ma
ton rests with the people, every man
should be politician. l would not on a
! Fourth of July say word which could
be construed into drawing a distinction
between the several political parties, but
without reference to the merits and doc
trines of any, you owe a political duty to
your country which rises above the par
tisan and places you all upon the broad
plane of American citizenship.
zone of the first duties citizen owes to
/
mon danger threatened the State, and
from the outer gates of the sea you heard
the roar of cannon and saw the flash of
the sharp conflict, and from the oceans
breeze there exhaled the breath of
war; and the monarch of the deep, with
the stars and stripes streaming from her
masthead, and American seamen stand
ing guard upon deck, and mems lips
trembled and their faces grew pale as she
went out to battle upon the liquid field OF
death, you would rush to arms and place
your life where its sacrifice would yield
the most good TO your country. 1t is just
as essential in government, for the well
fare and permanency of republic to
show your patriotism in the petty affairs
of State.
81 am sometimes amused at the rea-
sons of some men who advocate the intro
duction of different elements in politics
in order TO elevate and purify it, and
| without discussing such problems and in
a measure admitting their force. Yet the
citizens of the republic now have the
sovereign remedy for such evils, for there
are good men enough to purge politics of
its wickedness if they could be made to
share in the responsibilities of citizen
ship.
"To become citizen of this republic,
whether by the rights of inheritance or
the privileges of law, is to have conferred
upon you the choicest blessing of all the
ages. You should accept it as sacred
trust which involves your pride, your
patriotism and your obedience, and the
man fails in his honor who will not
forego all privileges, all aspirations and
all duties to pay tribute upon the altrr of
his country.
1T has been the custom upon occasions
like this to advert to the history of our
country, to call the roll of its departed
dead, to laud their brave deeds and noble
doings, to awake the echoes of dread war