The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-18

not only homage to those of their own coun-
try, but to all strange deities coming to Rome,
so that in time, deiTies became so numerous
there that necessity compelled the Romans TO
COLOMBO them as they did their surplus popu-
lation Juvenal says, satirically, with respect
to the multiplicity OF divin1tles:
Religious nations sure, and blessed abodes
Where every orchard Is overrun with gods
From the earliest records OF history to the
present time, priestcraft has been most po-
tent factor in the affairs of civil government.
The first effective barrier against 1t was reared
by the trainers OF the constitution OF the
United States, wherein is set forth these words:
Congress shall make no law respecting an estab-
ishment of religion prohibiting the tree exercise
thereof.
This the fundamental law, vouchsafes to every
one the tree exercise OF his religion within the
scope OF good morals, but places an impossible
bar between church and state. 1t secures
each religious denomination from taxation
for the support OF another OF different faith !;
it shields religion against hardship from IN
friendly legislation, ana protects American
liberty from the wiles OF bigotry ana from the
follies OF superstition.
We are advised by the ablest expounders of
the constitution, that all the checks human
ingenuity has been able to devise to give per-
feet operation to the machinery OF govern
ment-to adjust all Its movements, TO prevent
its eccentricities and to balance Its forces
have been introduced with singular skill and
wisdom into the structure of the constitution.
The constitution was approved and adopted,
and liberty-loying people. 1t has Tor century
and upward been tested in the cruclble OF eN-
perience, and is found 1000 fine. Under It's
@gis from small band OF patriots there mas
grown up in a century ga Nauon of the highest
and grandest type ever before known among
men,; Nation SURPRISING in general intel
ligence, National wealth and all the SUBJ
stantial means of happiness any other Nation
on the face of the globe; Nation consisting
of seventy millions of united sovereigns whose
domain of ineXhaustble resources spreads out
H. nj 0rNA f--r, /,
lanIic to the Pacific. Where cen
tury ago were interminable forests now
are extended orchards, vineyards and
fertile fields OF waving grain, innum-
cradle manufactures of vast proper
tions and happy homes, numerous as the stars
that shine above them. Where then biazed
the council fire OF the Indian braves stands the
StatehouSe OF civilized man. The waters that
were then rippled by the rude and fragile canoe
are now shaken by the thunders of mighty n a.
vies and plowed Dy the rich laden merchantmen
OF every nation. Cities with swelling domes
and cloud piercing spires have sprung up
where then the red man was, in his native
wilderness, won't to range unmolested and I'M
controlled.
Contemplating these vast changes, far ex-
ceeding the conceptions OF romance, who can
doubt that under these auspices American lib
erty will hence on advance still more rapidly?
Who can doubt that travel, now conducted in
palaces of more than regal splendor-palaceS
borne with impetuous speed on links of steel,
joining hamlets cities and country residences
still more felicitous and expeditions? Who
can doubt that a tongue more tractable and
fluent than the electric may be employed for
communicating thought from place 10 place
though thousands of miles apart? And who
can doubt that the homes of the masses will be
blessed with greater abundance OF the neces-
saries, comforts and luXuries of life than they
have been wont to enjoy? No doubt need to
exist
Though three thousand miles intervene be-
tween Bunker Hill mon ument and Santa Cruz,
the elysium of the Golden State, yet are we in
heart in sympathy in presence of that grand
memorial structure, ever proclsiming the
rights OF man" to ''Iife, liberty and the Lur-
suit of happiness" also the transeendent deeds
of the immortal heroes who there fought the
first great battle OF the Revolutionary War Tor
the attainment of those rights.
Breaches there a man with soul so dead,
Who never to himself has said:
This is my own, my native land.
Breathes there an American with soul so
dead, who cannot but from his Utmost heart
eXclaim:
''Thank God. IL also-am American"