The record-union., 1897-07-04
THE DAY.

While the active celebration of the
Nations natal day takes place to-mor-
row because the date falls upon sun
day, this is the day when the thought
of the lover of his country should be
most Immediately turned to contem-
plation of the nation, it's history and
its destiny. We are of those who be-
lieve that the love of the American
people for this republic has not lost its
edge. and that the future of the coun-
try does not lie amidst tempestuous bill
lows fated to destroy.
That pessimists more abound just
now than in earlier times of the ma
ton is true. but this argues for US only
of the fact that our population has
vastly increased, and that any manifes-
tation of doubt concerning the perpet-
nifty of our institutions, would natur-
ally augment with such growth. For
in all lands, under all forms of Gov
ernment. there always will be those
who entertain doubts and fears. and
whose patriotism is largely measured
by their apprehensions.
II is true that in not few respects
our development has made more than
ever prominent the necessity for re-
forms and betterments. But this so
far from indicating want of faith IN
the principles of self governments
among those who think, fixes them in
their loyalty to the republic, and IN
spires them with d determination TO
accomplish reforms as the necessity Tor
them becomes manifest.
With the broadening Of the Union as
a confraternity of States; with the
changes worked in physical conditions
and business methods; with the dis
cussion of economic and social prob
lens permitted undar the guarantees
of free speech; with the Introduction OF
labor saving machinery and the addl-
lion of an enormous number of foreign
people to our population; with the ad-
iustrnent of the scheme of the republic
to new commercial conditions and eX-
handed trade and the closer relations
of peoples because of augmented ana
improved means of communication and
TRANSFORMATION. it was to have been eX-
nacted that friction would develop and
issues be joined apparently ominous
and threatening.
Ru+ the destiny of this nation will be
accomplished despite the fears of those
who consider only the present, and are
made respondent by seeming menace
The score Of schemes broached for sup
planting the American system with Wis
ionary plans Of Government and So
cialistic systems of restraint and con-
troll. do not alarm US. We have conf-
dence in the stability of American in
stitutions. and that beneath all the
fret and fear of the doubling and the
,hangeful and the assaults of the vic
ious few. there is a firm foundation OF
love and loyalty to self-governmenl
and the principles upon which the ma
ton of the fathers is grounded, and in
which the tent hooks of our hopes and
our faith are planted.
This confidence and faith are those OF
reason. They have their birth in the
conviction of the rightfulness and hol-
mess of self government; in the un-
righteousness and unwisdom of the rule
of the sovereign and the submission OF
the subject; in the belief that the build
ers of this national superstructure
have neither built vainly nor outside
the purpose of a great scheme of ma
ture for the advancement and uplifting
of the races of men.
This confidence and faith in the
American Republic and the stability OF
its institutions, are grounded in the
unalterable conviction that the right
principle must accomplish its purpose;
that the blood of the patriots of the
revolution and the devoted sons Of the
later test of the American fabric. was
not shed in vain but viii continue to
make fruitful the soil of freedom.
The United States of America is q
standard-bearer in the column of civil
ization that viii not turn backward in
its march. But if ever there is a re-