The record-union., 1894-07-04
THE LESSONS OF TO-DAY.


On this day, one so full of meaning to
all people who appreciate the privileges
Of free government, where the ballot-box
is the arbiter supreme, every thought
and activity not intimately related to the
day and its lesson ought to be put aside.
The nations birthday should be holi-
should recall to elders the eventful his
tory of the republic of the trials through
which it has passed, of the triumphs that
it has achieved, of its marvellous growth
from colonial dependence upon mon
archy to the strength of independence
and national greatness.
To the younger of the time we should
seek to make the holiday an object lesson
of the highest order. We have it within
our power to impress the young with the
truth that it is not merely day for the
exuberance of animal spirits to be made
manifest through the free use Of ex-
plosives and indulgence in pyrotechnic
display, but that it is full of q lofty mean
ing that every boy and man in the land
may and should understand.
We should teach them that it is typical
of the right inherent in man to govern
himself, and that the Declaration that
makes this day the most important and
significant in American history is de-
cree from the highest of all just human
powers recognizing that right and de-
manding before the world respect for it.
We should impress them with the truth
that successful establishment of that right
was due to the self-sacrihcing heroism OF
men who, through war, toll, privation.
poverty and distress, proved their 10y
atty to eternal principles of justice. that
we, their successors, and those that come
after US. may enjoy the supremest bless
ings. That it means that this right can
only be preserved and maintained by a
constancy and devotion to the instito-
tions our fathers planted, equal in self
sacrifice and heroism to their own.
The day should teach us. and we should
seek to make it clear to youth, that no
government of the people can be sus-
tanned and no human right defended
Hereunder, where there is doubt. dis
trust and fear concerning the capacity of
men for self-government. The day
should teach us to beware OF any and all
fanciful and specious schemes for i'm
provement upon the Republic; to regard
with suspicion any and all plans pro-
posed to tag upon the American system
theoretical socialistic and similar schemes
for the supposed betterment of men.
It should teach us to stand out in cour-
ageous opposition to any and all schemes
to graft upon the American system foreign
ideas and religious dogmas, the theories
of dreamers and doubters, the plans and
devices of those who have not faith in the
national heart, and who cultivate the
despicable doctrine that republican insti-
tutions are a failure. and that the people
of the American Union are incapable OF
governing themselves.
Let the people go out to-day into the
streets and parks in the free air of the re-
public to celebrate the most auspicious
event that ever turned the tide in the af-
fairs of the human race, new resolved in
loyalty to the right of men to self-gov-
ernment, and strengthened more than ever
before in resolution that the indissoluble
union of sovereign States, the supremacy
of the laws made by the people, and the
sacredness of human rights shall be pre-
served.