The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-07-03

The fathers of this republic built
wiser than they knew when they con-
structcd the Declaration of Indepen-
dence. They represented 13 small col
onies. having scarcely 100000 of PEG
PIE, and merely banded together for
mutual defense against a common foe,
one of the most powerful nations of
the earth The colonies had no navy,
no treasury and but small, ill-paid
and inexperienced army. They had not
been accorded belligerent rights by any
country, and the men who signed the
Declaration were guilty of treason, ac-
cording to English law, and might have
been hung for their offense. These de-
voted patriots fully realized this fact,
vet not one voice trembled when the
Declaration came up for adoption on
that memorable Fourth of July, 17i6,
not one hesitated when the immortal
document was placed before them for
their signature.
1t was a declaration to the world
that a new star was to be added to the
galaxy of nations. Its breatbings went
out all over the land, inspiring the peo-
pie with new hope and courage, plainly
showing that the day of compromise
had forever passed. They, the signers
of the Declaration, knew they were
opening the way for new nation. born
in liberty. but they could not possibly
have foreseen the growth in area. pop
ulation, wealth, power and influence of
the young republic-the problem Of
government of the people, Tor the pep
pie. and by the people" had been prac-
tically unsolved. They had to build
along new lines and to explore new
fields. But if they could not previse
the coming glories of the republic their
wisdom. judgment and disinterested
patriotism combined to Sc. the founda-
tions so well that they have admirably
met all the varying conditions, and bid
fair to be as enduring as the everlast-
ing hills.
What man could have dreamed 100
years ago that the little struggling col
onies, whose nationality was Just
pledged in the Declaration of Indepen-
dence, would develop into q matchless
republic of 70,OOO,oOO of people, leading
all other countries in wealth, in re-
sources and in general prosperity? Or
could he have possibly foreseen this
same republic throwing the aegis of
its protection about the smaller repub-
lies of this hemisphere and boldly say
ing to the powers of Europe that this
government will not permit any further
encroachments upon the domain of the
two Americas?
That which is of the republic and
what it may be are due to the wisdom
and courage of the fathers in absolving
themselves from any allegiance to the
British crown and in promulgating to
the world the Declaration of Indepen-
dence. This is why Americans regard
the Fourth of July with such fervid ven
Grafton. The day and the deed are as
precious to them as was the palladium
of the ancient Trojan, the shekinah to
the Jew, or the holy fire to the vestal
virgins of old Rome. They realize that
with the passage of time there would
seem to be no limitations to the growth |
and development of the country, and, |
proud of what has been achieved al |
ready, they gratefully and reverently |
recall the heroism and rare intelligence |
of the fathers of the republic. who |
builded so wisely and so well. AS the
document is immortal, so are the names |
appended to it destined to live IN
cherished recollections so long as the |
United States has place in history and |
her people love liberty and the just ex
ecution of equable laws
WILLIAM RosSER CoBBE.
ON THE BEAUTIFUL SHORE