The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-07-13
TWAS OH Of SIGHT.
Continued from fourth page.)

all these things which are still
strong enough to hold back the
rising tide of democratic sentiment
In much of Europe were even II
hundred years ago too weak to
blind the American colonies to the
true principles of government.
The enterprise of the patriots of '76
was most remarkable in that it was
radical departure from all histori
Cal precedent, The Republics of
the Medici were only such in name
They yelled tyranny us CALLING as
that of any monarchy, n poleon. a
little later 1t is true, Inaugurated a
startling policy which overturned
thrones, but the result to the peo-
pile was mere change of masters.
But the declaration of 1876 an
nounced a political truth. which, If
believed by the people. suggested
and demanded a new and untried
form OF government, 1t cut loose
from the moorlngs of the old world
and launched the ship of state on
new and unknown seas. The very
logic of the manifesto demanded
that and nothing less TO inform
people that each individual there
of was the political equal Of every
other, and to leave them with no
hope of a method whereby this idea
could be made effective IN govern
ment, would have awaited them lit
tie. Aud this brings US to a sec
ond thought IN relation to this
great event.
Which do we most applaud? The
dauntless courage Of the mariner.
who announcing his taith IN the
existence OF an unknown land is
willing to launch his bark upon
ultraviolet seas to reach it, or the
matchless skill and forJitude of
him, who when once embarked, is
able to foresee, prepare for, and
avoid all danger, and bring the
precious craft safely into port.
The world is engaged new in the
celebration of the four hundredth
anniversary of an event whose hero
we admire in both these characters.
bat whether most as the daring
sailor of Genoa, rashly willing to
stake his life upon the truth of his
prediction, or as the admiral Of
the Ocean Sea, whose master mind
and hand were able to cope with all
perils and difficulties throughout
that memorable voyage, we could
hardly tell. And so with the great
declaration. Superb as were the
doctrines of that paper, 1T is we'll
to remem Der that they would have
amounted to little, but for the fore
sight. the skill, the genius and the
patriotism of those who. a little
later, framed a government able TO
fulfill its high demands. 1t was net
enough to declare our independence
of other nations; 1T remained to de-
wise new and untried plan Whereby
we could safely and securely regu-
late among ourselves our depend
ence upon each other. We had
stricken down political idol, but
as yet we had nothing in its stead
but a theoretical political truth.
If all men were born free and pc
htically equal, how was that to be
made manifest in government?
How were colonies far distant from
each other, and their interests in
harmonious and Ia some instances
hostile, to be recOMciled and bound
together in union of powers that
would do justice to all and prove
the truth Of the startling declara-
ton.
Fortunately the same power which
watched over and shaped our des-
TIMES in the trying days OF 177G did
not desert the counse!s of our fore
fathers i'll the more peaceful. but
equally momentous affairs of 1897.
The same men were there and with
them Others imbued with the same
ardor and spirit The soldier was
there, who was willing for once to
forego the cheap spoils and tenn
porary gain Of military success, and
exchange for them the far reaching
and permanent glories of an unset
fish craftsmanship. Washington
was there, who thought a crown too
dear as the price of the principle
for which he fought. That great
constitutional ASSEMBLE wrestled
with the mightiest problem which
ever arose among men for settle
ment. 1t required wider and deeper
foresight than any task men had
ever been set to perform. But out
of chaos they brought order: out Of
discord they brought union; out Of
disintegratlon they brought integra-
ton, and out of one grand idea
they brought government based
upon that idea. and formed to de-
velop it. They gave to scattered
people Il common constitution, to