Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-03
tory of the world. Therefore it is that we

tory of the world. Therefore it is that we
celebrate on the annual occurrence Of the
great day not only the birth of new
nation, but the uplifting of human liberty
everywhere. Our freedom and our strug-
giles were the torches which lighted the
way to the independence of all those OF
our whole hemisphere whose adventurous
spirits had led them across an unknown
ocean to inhospitable shores. whose enter
prise had made fields and homes where
stood the dark forests, and sunny gardens
where the deserts were. We emancipated
not only the blue-eyed Saxons, the people
of our blood and lineaget but the darker
races which owed their origin to brighter
sun and their desire for empire to the
memories of imperial Rome.
No more striking proof that this great
action was broader than our nation and
conferred benefits even on our enemies,
even upon those who refused to hght by
our side although our cause was common
can be found than have displayed them
selves in the scenes which accompany the
celebration Of the sixty-year jubilee OF the
granddaughter of the sovereign whose
might we defied and from whose rule we
reyolted a hundred and twenty years ago.
We won liberty, not for ourselves alone.
but for all the colonies or the empire VI
Great Britain and Ireland.
During the jubilee ceremonies, IN the very
presence of the heir to the throne wnlie
protesting as did our fathers before the
Fourth of July, 1776, fand meaning II as
they did, the utmost devotion to the BTU
isb crown. Wilfred Laurier, premier of the
dominion north Of US, which mas all area
greater than our own, declared in so many
a. t.
free. and freedom is it's nationality. Though
Canada acknowledges the suzeranty OF the
sovereign, l am here to say that indepen-
dence would give the Canadians no more
rights than thew already have"
This is but plain prose for klping
lines:
Daughter am I In my mothers mousse,
But mistress in my own;
The gates are mine to open.
AS the gates are mine to close
How different is this triumphant Ian
euage of the premier and of Our Lady Of
the Shows from the sofnber words which
our fcrefathers, in Congress assembled,
were forced to use to the subjects of George
III: 1--WE most sclemnly. before God and
the world, declare that, exefting the ut
most energy Of these powers which our
beneacent Creator hath graciously be-
slowed upon US. the arms we have been
compelled by our enemies to assume. we
will, in defiance of every hazard. with I'M
abating hrmness and perseverance. employ
for the preservation of cur liberties; being
with one mind resolved to die freemen
rather than live elaves.'st
What Laurier said and Kipling sang
could be said in British colonies over the
entire circuit Of the sun. not only with
their own approval. butswith the approval
of the empire to which they fondly belong.
What, therefore. our fathers did they did
not only for themselves. but for all who
speak the English tongue. The lessons
taught by our struggle and victory are as
lasting az our race and broader than even
the vast territory We cover today. When.
therefore, we celebrate the Declaration of
Independence. we celebrate not only the
courage and conduct Of ancestors whose
descendants we are. but the brave and
farsighted deed Of servants Of mankind
who not only foundedi an empire. but
broadened the pathway civilization. pro-
gress, and freedom around the world.