The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-07-19

nation. That s.ckenlng story is but too
indelfbly engraven upon our memories.
We know but too well that the insiduous
splendors of wealth, stealing the affec-
tions OF men from the devotion due only
to their country's shrine, will debase
Them win harden them to all but the
Cutting satisfaction OF riotous living and
the baccanalian fsast. Banentable con-
dluon certainly in which ito perceive and
depl5re, but too late, the finger of warn
ing, the handwriting on the wall.
No! No! With the establishment Of
the numerous patriotic clubs everywhere,
spring.ng up on every side, with a more
efficient army and navy, with more ex-
tensdve coast defenses, with new pa
trdotism burning in the breast Of the rIs-
ing generation, we are creating new con-
dtions, new agencies, and we will brook
no opposition to our fixed determination
TO keep a constant and faithful vigil
over the sacred and colossal inheritance
bequeathed to us in the Declaration of
Independence. No Rienzi forsooth, will
ever rise IN our midst, to upbraid us with
the haunting words, 1--WE are slaves, the
bright sun rises in his course and Lights
a race OF slaves, ne sets, and his last
beam falls upon slave. Not such as,
the conqueror leads to crimson glory and
undytng fame, but base, ignoble slaves"
and the rest of 1t. No, Thousand times
no!
Through the crystal and shining gates
OF the nineteenth century on the eve of
their eternal closing, will enter and sink
deeper into the hearts of our countrymsn
the meaning of the message conveyed
by that wonderful document, the Declar-
alton Of Independence. TITS principles VIII
appear more clearly in their true light,
magnitude and proportions, and in them
we shall behold, as in a mirror, the
school Of honor and integrity, the cradle
or patriotism, the temple of justice and
the hope of the future. The Declaration
OF Independence, standing as synonym
or our countrys true weal and greatness,
will bestow upon her that gorgeous ap-
parel and imposing mien that will trans
form her into a mighty herald, whose
trumpet notes will shake the earth, as
they proclaim, in thrilling, resounding
tones, the equality the brotherhood of
man, ahe worlds jubilee!
The celebration of this anniversary all
over the land, with festivities, bonfires
and ihum.nations, will infuse into us
new energy, new courage, and will be our
6uluei as Dy ulVlne 1nspiratiOn; and,
as prophesied by the signers of the
Declaration of Independence, and beau
TRULY expressed in language by Daniel
Webster: "On Its ANNUAL return we will
shed tears, coptous, gushing tears. not
Of subsection and slavery, not of agony
and distress, but of gratitude, of thanks-
giving of exultaion and of JOY" And so.
with outstretched arms of sympathy and
of love for all suffering humanity, still
groaning under the heel of the oppressor,
we Will eXcRaim in unison that sink or
swim, live or die, survive or perish, the
Declaration of Independence, with its
grand possibilities, is our living senti-
ment, and by the help of the Omnipotent
God, shall be our dying sentiment, the
sentiment of the countless generations
yat unborn, aye, and until time itself
shall be merging into eternity