Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1892-07-01

H. -
% lEE ii. whit.
~ stones set by
| the way down the long vista of the
centuries there is none that marks
more important event than that which
bears the declaration Of our indie
| pendence. The divine right of kings"
| had been the creed that the world had
! preached with fire and sword for CEN
/ turtles, but from the mountains and val
| leys of the New World, from humble
| cabins i'm the wilderness. from the
| shores Of the inland seas and the banks
of mighty rivers the amen of people
who had learned the doctrine of free
dom from nature herself assembled,
when those brave patriots. our fore
! fathers. made that memorable dcclara-
| ton which caused tyrants to tremble
upon their thrones and oppression to
grow pale under its gaudy trappings of
robe and crown.
The doom of king-craft and priest
craft was then and there pronounced,
and in the clear light Of the new day,
high and holy truths were revealed that
had long been hidden under the dust of
superstition and error. Democracy had
been called the dream of the fanatic,
the chimera of the brain of the poet:
but one hundred and sixteen years un-
der democracy has shown To Europe
that IL is the throne that is the simu-
| lacrum, and that liberty under law, the
law made by the people is the most per-
feet form of government the world has
ever seen.
The struggle TO free ourselves from
the grasp of tyranny was bitter and
long continued, and there were times
when it seemed hopeless. The young
nation. weak in numbers and resources,
was confronted by an enemy whose
wealth was iaeXhaustible and whose
military strength was enormous. and,
had not God been with the brave men
whose watch-word was Liberty" their
cause would have been lost.
The principles they asserted their
posterity has proven, and upon every
anniversary of our nations birth the
loyal hearts of the people renew their
plight Of faith to our national institu-
tions.
Our flag has waved over many
bloody and hard-fought field since the
declaration Of independence sent
thrill through all Europe; but the
wounds are healed, the graves are hid
den with flowers. and peace, mild
eyed and beautiful, broods over the
land, and plenty pours from her horn
the fruits of honest toll, sufficient not
only for our own people, but for the
starving millions of the old world. who
reach out to us hands of piteous appeal.
We have conquered not only human
foes, but the desert and the wilderness
have been brought under subsection.
the hidden treasures of the depths of
the earth have been yielded up, and to-
day we have within our land cities that
shame the proudest capitals of the
world. that in one century have out
stripped those whose foundations were
laid before Lice Erickson was born, and |
were rich and powerful before Column
bus dreamed of a world beyond the
western sea.
1t is fitting then, on this day of all !
others. that we should pause 10 read the !
hiatcr- of our past nad the prophecy Of |
or Future. The eyes of TIE world are !
upon Us. and we cannot afford TO make |
mistakes, for the future republics Of |
America and Europe will bc patterned |
after ours.
Those Who read the signs Of the !
times tell rs that monarchy in England |
Is tottering to its fan, that Norway and |
Sweden. Germany, Italy and even I'm
pcrial Russia are striving 10 break the |
bonds Of their despotism and become |
free Tho United States. France, and |
even the superstition ridden tropical re- |
pGblics Of Central and South America |
uphold the standard of freedom, and |
when the clouds lift but an instant and |
the portion of humanity that is crushed |
under the iron heel Of Gespotism catches |
glimpse of the sacred banner their |
hearts thrill with new hope.
There is a point where evolution in
government becomes revelation. We |
reached it one hundred and sixteen |
years ago. Europe may reach it in our
own time, but among all the future re-
publics of the earth our own win for
ever be preeminent, for it was planted |
in the virgin soil of new continent |
and has been guarded by a people to
whom patriotism is a religion above all |
creeds and loyalty their breath of life.