The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-06-18
PRIZE GRAFTON.

darkest days of our national
existence, the true spirit of the people
asserted itself, and the constitution
was adopted binding the states in per
petual union, and insuring to their peo-
pie the civil and religious liberty for
which so many had nobly laid down
their lives.
under the guidance of Washington
our nation began its career, criticised
by the rulers and Statesmen of Europe
who predicted its EARLY downfall, and
confronted by difficulties which seemed
to threaten the destruction of the
republic, but in the face Of these very
difficulties. the nation gathered
strength.
"Other nations looked upon the re-
public as an impractical political
theory, but they could not deny the
justice of the principle upon which it
was founded. Not built as Greece, the
barracks of conquering army; not as
Rome, a mighty weapon to be welded
for glory and power; but as the home
of a brave people who sought not glory
but freedom. How could it perish?
"The nations of Europe became in.
terested in, then amazed at the mar.
velous growth of the nation, then see
ing the possibilities of her future, they
sought her friendship and America be-
came one of the powers of the earth
Her commerce spread to distant lands;
new territory was acquired; new states
were added to the Union, and the in-
FAINT republic grew and prospered in a
manner unprecedented in the history of
nations,
"But what was the effect of all this up
on the rest of the wtr and wherein was
mankind benefited! 1t demonstrated
the fact that representative government
is not failure, that government is pos
sible when founded upon the principle
that "All men are created equal" aud
it gave to the world a system Of gov
eminent stable and just and conform
able to an age of progress and enlighC.
eminent.
ITO the tOiling millions of Europe
America seemed a land Of promise, aud
CTeasiug stream of humanity whom
God had decreed free, but whom ty-
rants had held as slaves. Belief in the
divine right Of kings ceased to exist,
and the despots of Europe now realized
that they must give their subjects more
of that freedom which is the desire of
every enlightened people, or be torn
from their thrones. Liberal Constitu-
tions were granted, the power of kings
was curtailed, the rights of the people
were exalted, and with the exceptions
of Russia and Turkey the nations OF
continental Europe became representa-
tive governments. But the French
would accept no compromise with ty-
Tanny. Liberty was their Watchword,
and with the American system as their
ideal aud hope, after repeated failures
they have at last established a govern.
ment as stable as our own.
"Nor was the influence of the Amer
lean system confined to Europe alone.
her mission was to the world. The
Great republic of the north shOne as
the star of hope to Spaiu's oppressed
and bleeding colonies in the new world.
For three hundred years their rich
mines had been yielding up treasures
TO ill the Golfers of Spain, and hide
with veil of splendor the terrible in.
justices of her rule. For 300 years the
CALLING yoke Of slavery had bound
them down in ignorance and mis-
cry. The naughty Spanish rulers were
blinded by their Unsuitable greed They
could not see that they were fostering
a spirit of liberty in those whom they
held in such cruel bondage. What
Englands oppression had done in her
colonies, SPANS cruelty and extortion
had accomplished in the Spanish colon
les. The people were inspired by an
intense spirit of liberty, With the mem.
DRY of three centuries of wrongs they
rose no longer slaves by freemen, and
lead by Bolivar, that noble champion
of liberty, they threw off the Sanish
yoke and added star after star to the
shield of American republics.
"But while the nation was eXerting
such powerful influence abroad there
existed at home the awful curse of
human slavery. For years the Joyous
shouts of freemen mingled with the
dispaiTing cry of slaves. Human be-
ings in letters were sold in our cities.
What a mockery of justice in land
founded upon the principle of the
rights and equality of man.
The people saw the inconsistency Of |
fostering slavery in a land of freedom. |
All efforts TO peacefully solve the ques- |
ton were in vain, and the great Civil |
war came with all its horror aud sacri- !
flee, but guided by the immortal Lin. |
cola the right was at last triumphant |
and America was truly free. She now |
stood justified before the world, with |
nothing to reproach her but the men,
DRY Of that institution which had so !