The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1894-07-07
ABLE AND PATRIOTIC.
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the bold defenders OF human liberty, have
sprung from the ranks OF the people.
Fellow citizens, the calm dignity with which
this revolution was inaumrated, the ties OF
alliance sundered, the solemn declaration made
that henceforth these colonies were 10 be free
aud independent states. aud the solemn appeal
OF the representatives OF the people 20 posterity
for the rectitude OF their intentions Is one OF
the grandest and most imposing events In his
tory. The declaration OF independence was AN
important event Ia history. not SO much be-
cause IL was IA revolt against tyrancal govern
,nent or power. nor even because OF It's assertion
OF the correct principles which underlie the
social organization Its chief Importance grows
out OF the fact that II was followed by the cree
tlon OF the American colonies into perfect
government having for It's corner stone the
lending features oi the Declaration ct independ'
ence II Is OF value. not 20 much because OF IT.
expression Of u correct creed of human rights,
and correct principles OF human government,
but because OF the important practical resuitsb y
which il was followed. The sgners OF the declar-
ntion and the trainers Of our federal eonStitn
ton were enabled out OF the chaos which lol
lowed the overthrow OF the British power TO
establish AN enduring government
History Is full OF instances where other people
have thrown of the yoke Of the opprcssor aud
attempted 70 maintain their liberties by self
government. But the history OF these attempts
X but catalogue OF failures, because OF the lack
OF virtue in the people sufficient 90 maintain by
wise legislation what they have achieved by
arms Courage is not the only qualification
necessary IN the maintenance OF govern
ment by the peope but coupled with the bold
ness 10 strike for liberty, must be the virtue 10
restrain even liberty itself, within constitutional
limits. At the close OF the revolution, Washing
/ ION WAS by general consent the most illustrious
| American citizen During the century which has
/ nassed "a greater than he has not arisen
| knd Providence had endowed Washington with
the qualities essential TO successful leadership
Not with the brilliant genius Of Marlborough or
Napoleon, but with fortitnde, with endurance. ~
patience that never weared, u cournge that
counted no odds, and more than AL with q
child like but abiding faith IN the Godoi battles.
Others failed many grew weary by the Wayside'
but during the seven years struggle along the
bloody pathway from Lexington TO YORKTOWN,
this man, bearing aloit the ark In which was
bound up the liberties OF this country, never Tor
a moment doubted the successful issue oil the
struggle, never for moment doubted the iavor
ofGod whether IN victory or defeat whether
triumphant in the peninsula OF Virginia or op'
pressed by the gloom Of Valley Forge his grand
faith never wavered lie bore upon his great
heart the burdens Of sorrow rs well rs the aspir'
ations and hopes Of all his countrymen' what
would have been the immediate issue OF tins
struggle without his arm 70 direct we know not
But who can doubt that Washington was Gods
inst rument for the deliverence OF people nno
the establishment for his own wise purpose upon
this western continent of mighty nation
Great az Washington was In war he was greater
vet IN peace. The struggle over his country
] saved the liberties Of the colonies secured-yol
unfairly and gracefully he laid down his supreme
command, aud sought the quiet OF his home
From this retreat no promptings OF ambition
J no lust Of power could entice him After lou
years OF rest he came from Mount vernon 2!
anpointment 81 his state, TO preside over th
deliberations Of the conventionwheh q ennle'
: IN Philadelphia IN May. 1887, 10 Formulate th
Constitution OF the United states. The ~
ticles Of confederation adopted IN 1851
under which independence had been a loved
had proved inadequate TO meet the eA
n Ipencies OF sovereign people The imrcrttH
necessity Of n general government, national !
its character with power 20 enforce It's DEGREES
. 10 provide revenues, 20 declare war, soyereif
~ foreign states, was keenly felt by many oi IN
saqarlous statesmen Of that day. By none va
the imperative necessity for such y government
u more keenly felt than by Washington himsel
The conviction that such government va
necessary to the preservation Of all that ha
~ been achieved by successful revolution, Induce
him 10 attend as a delegate from the state
~ yirplnln the great historic convention. Histoi
has no record Of q more august assembly ofm'
than the convention OF 1857. II WAS compos'
is In a large decree Of the men who had reudcr
important services IN the legislative halls or {
the battle field Imperishable forever be q
~ fame Of the men who. inspired by wisdo
more than human, laid deep ndbroad theiou
N. dation OF our free institutions. goyernme
by the people aud having for its bed rock the
teiliaence. the virtue and the patriotism OF I
peope Listen 70 the preamble OF this mate
less instrument 1--WE the people Of the Unit
~ states IN order 20 form u more perfect unto
~ establish Justice insure domestic tranquiiii
ne proyide for the common defense, promote
Iul GENERAL welfare and secure the blessings oiliber
- 10 Ourselves and our posterty, do ordain n
, establish tins Constitution for the United stat
hc of America" What - commentary upon u
ri. haudiwork Of Washington aud his compec
lu- that Notwithstanding our population
Inc been augmented more than twenty Told a
IT'S the western border OF the republic transfer
,rd from the Alleghanies 90 the Pacific Coast,
40 one hundred and Ave years have witnessed J
20 fifteen amendments engrafted upon our orga
mt law ~ il came from the hands Of it, frame
Ike Mr. Gladstone, the greatest living statesm
d' has well said "The American Constitution
The the most wonderful work ever struck of AZ
~ given time by the brain and purpose OF ma
OF Fellow citizens, the first century Of the repnl
ca has closed Let MS dwell for u moment ~
eco some Of the splendid achievements before ~
lng our faces rcsoiutely Go the fnture,
grateful hearts we may say, "0od has not de
yia so with any nation" self government Is
lrk longer nm experiment II has safely endured
Nm, test for over one hundred years. What
low been accomplished At the ina1Euration
end Washington our domain was virtually conh
the 10 the Atlantic seaboard. Today IL strete
tets 90 the western limits OF the continent. T