The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-07-04
rHR DAY WE CELEBRATE.

we nave no intention OF writing any
hackneyed article on the Fourth of
July. 1t Is now one hundred and
eighteen years since Thomas Jefferson
drew and he and his compeers signed
the immortal Declaration of Independ-
ence. There is no hyperbole in saying
that it will live forever, and that it has
gathered into it's brief compass all the
political wisdom OF past ages. and that
it will be the inspiration of the ages and
ICONS to come.
In one respect the Americans are the
most fortunate people in the world.
Under the operation of the lessons
grated from the Declaration into the
constitution OF the United States, this
country for over one hundred years has
attained an unparalleled prosperity.
There was little capitalization amongst
our people until towards the close Of the
war of the rebellion. Freedom never
showed more gracious fruitage than in
the years since thst memorable body of
men met in Independence hall, in the
City Of Brotherly Love, nearly century
and quarter ago. 1t is true that for
many years the fair republic was cursed
with the institution of African slavery,
but we inherited that malign legacy
from England, and the war, as one OF
it's compensations, relieved US OF it for
ever.
That many tendencies have arisen dur
ing the last thirty years which require
correction in order that the country
may live aud flourish in ''ths land OF
the free and the home of the brave"
is unqueationable. The capitalist has
forgotten the fact that he is made OF the
same clay as the wsge.esrner. His
profits have been enormous and his ap-
petite has grown on what it fed on.
Avarice has had unchecked, sway, and
every foul phase Of rapacity has been
illustrated in our corporations and
trusts. It would seem as if the very
aense OF shame had been altogether lost.
There have been episodes in the lie OF
Jay Gould that would put to the blueh
anything which has been handed down
to us from old Rome. Nor Crassus nor
Catiline nor Wares ever heard OF the
bold buccaneer methods OF Gould in his
handling of the Erie railway and other
properties OF national and international
magnitude that fell Into his hands. The
watering OF stocks and the betrayal OF
fiduciary trusts seem to have become a
national amusement. Fungoid growths
rooted in vicious soil OF finance have
actually threatened the national life.
Nor has ths woSkingman altogether
escaped an unfortunate bias which, il
not corrected, threatens grave perils to
the continuance OF tho republic. Not
content with that legitimate spirit Of
trade organization on which he naturally
relies for protection. anarchistic and nj
hilistic warps have besn given to many
of these associations. Violent counssls
from abroad have been allowed to enter
American fraternities whose efficacy for
good under moderate counsels lie simply
incalculable. The European spawn rep
resented by Johann Most and the Hay
market crowd OF Chicago has become
quite too numerous in this country.
Fortunately for the United States oul
people have in the Declaration OF Inds
pendence palladium to which rich
and poor-the capitalist and the work
ingman-can alike recur for protection
guidance and reformation. The coun
sells Of that inimitsble document have il
them sovereign efficacy to heal al
wounds Of the body polite, and through
them the real equipoise Of capital sne
labor will be attained. Happily every
American, native or foreign born, car
look upon the beautiful flag OF his coun-
try. and can console himself with the re
Election that its brightness HAS neve
been dimmed. and that under its fold
more good has been accomplished to thu
human race than has been achieved b,
many nations put together that were oil
whom Julius Caesar was boy. lookiLl
over our pact We can we'll exclaim will
Drake
Forever foat that standard sheet
where breathes the foe but flies before US;
With Freedoms soil benefit our feet,
And freedoms banner floating O. er us.