The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-07-05

GREENSBORO, n c., July 4-Vice-
President Stevenson was the attraction at
the Fourth of July celebration today on
the historic battlefield of Guilford court
house. The vice-president was received
Enthusiastically and made a speech in
which he said in part: I'VE are not
Strangers. The history and traditions of
the Old North State are as dear 70 me as
yourselves. The blood that courses
through my veins is that of men, who
with your brave sires, a little more than a
century ago first gave TO the world a
declaration of American Independence;
the men who have for all time linked the
hsme of Charlotte with that of Runy
mede, and made your Mecklenburg i'm
Mortal
''Iu the great struggle for independence
Moth Carolina PLAYED no mean part. Her
Sons stood IN the front ranks of those who
first brsved the hostility and resentment
OF the British crown. Her sons were the
first 10 realize the necessity for separation,
Rnd the establishment OF American hide
pendeBce.
1t must not be forgotten, Mr.. Presi-
dent, that the love of liberty and the ma
tired OF tyranny, which found expression
In the Mecklenburg declaration of May
~, lf19, touched n responsive chord In the
breasts of the ancestors of many of those
j new address. In pedging their lives and
fortunes to resisting British oppression,
they sounded the key note of the national
Declaration Of Independence, which llS
years ago this day, was proclaimed by the
Continental congress at Philadelphia. To
North Carolina, then, beiongs the inner
Sshable honor of having taken the first
step toward securing TO the American col
Unies independence of the British crown.
But what of the future? What will be
the verdict OF history as to the achieve
ments OF the present generation? In all
that makes state truly great is North
Carolina TO lag behind, or TO keep even
pace with her sister commemorative in the
century upon which are soon to enter?
With an area of more than SO. 900 square
miles, stretching from the seabosrd 500
miles to the western border; with
breadth of 200 miles from north to south;
with soil happily adapted to the supply
of all material wants; with a climate I'M
surpassed upon the continent; traversed
from north to south, from pine forest to
mountain iastness, by railways; her noun
tains OVERLOOKING with every variety of
mineral wealth. In word, so abundantly
blessed with natures choicest gifts, North
Carolina, am persuaded, Is just entering
upon career of wonderful material pros
perity.
''This is, Mr.. President, the fitting hour
and place for this great assembIage. To-
day, the Fourth of July, there are no state
p lines or sections. But whether our abid-
Ing place is on the banks of the st. John,
or on the Columbia, whether il is on the
eastern seaboard, or beyond the great
father Of waters, we are all Americans.
ILauk God we are all citizens of COM
mon country, with one flag, a common
history and a common destiny.
standing upon this historic spot, con-
secrated by he blood of heroes, we lift up
hearts in gratitude to God that he has
been pleased TO voucnsafe to our fathers
such a country. Under this flag. we have
IN the largest degree. liberty-nOt the Ii
cense of the anarchist, but liberty,
regulated by law. TIE sons OF the
heroes of Kings Mountain anG OF Guifford
can never forget that this flag is the SYM
bol of constitutional liberty: the eternal
symbol Of an indivisible union of inGe-
slructible states.
You should never forget all your hopes
and aspirations are bound up in the con-
stitution of our fathers. Guard this con-
stitution as the very ark of the covenant.
Al whatever cost, the federal union-this
grand union of people and of states. be-
Queatbed 10 US by our fathers-must be
the heritage of the future generations of
our countrymen. Let him be accounted
the common enemy who, whatever tine
preteXI, would weaken the chords that
bind together eli states and sections of our
common country, in fraternal union.