The times., 1898-07-05

S. c. Goodloe. U S. NJ c.; Francis E.
Leupp, Mark NJ. Hatch. Charles Miriam
or. Henry s. Kemp, William T.. curtis,
w. P. MetcaIf Lloyd b. Wight, DR..
Francis Nash. f. w. Dickens, U. s. N;
Edward Renick Frank b. Smith, Albion
X Paris and Ernest Wilkinson.
The Association of the Oldest Inhabi-
tants celebrated the Fourth of July with
appropriate exercises in the morning at
Masonic Temple. The meeting was large
~ attended.
After the reading of the Declaration of
Independence by Mr.. Allison Nailor. jr..
the annual Grafton was delivered by Mr.
Simon Wolf. e.eaqy ..as -H}7'
Mr. Simon Wolf said:
"One hundred and twenty-five years
ago the statehouse bell in PhiIadel-
phia rang out the gladstone tidings
that the States of the Western Con-
tinent were united, and proclaimed
freedom and independence throughout
its borders and also sent the message to
the outside world that man had again as
sumed those franchises from which he
had been deprived for ages.
"A nation is Hike an individual-when
prosperity and success have showered
their choicest blessings one Is apt to for
get the past. Indifferent to the teachings
that produced this result and looking to
the future only as a solution OF ali prob
lens and dangers. But the teachings of
history convey a different lesson. We
find that nations that have stood on the
very pinnacle of prosperity and renown
have gone down with the same velocity
that they have ascended, owing to the
violation and ignoring OF fundamental
principles. which, sooner of later. if per-
sisted in are bound to make themselves
felt
The various countries of the world
have contributed to our physical, men
tai and moral advance and the emil
grant. coming as he did with the habits
and traditions OF his native land, had to
be taught as a child the needs OF his
new environments. 1t required a high
order of intelligence. on the one side.
and patience on the other. to bring about
an assimilation of forces such as a re-
public must at all times have to harmon
ize differences And this emigration has
changed vitaIly the framework created by
colonial fathers; for none of the signers
of the Declaration of independence, in
their widest flights of Imagination.
dreamed that this country was, in the
space of a hundred years to be the
greatest republic known TO history. and
that II should have been materially
caused by the influx from other lands.
The acquisition of territory Is not
new or novel experience for this coun-
was the greatest American who ever
lived. knew the value and Importance of
acquiring outlying land necessary and
essential to the repub ic. And under this
| inspiration Louisiana. Florida. Califer-
| mia and Oregon were enrolled in the
| grand galaxy of States. Therefore we
must not be shocked by the advocacy of
| principles which are Claimed as contra
! ~ to the spirit and genius of our insti-
/ ftlfionS aud isa aut-Ny
republic stands not only for its own hap
| piness, but text and example for
| all iberty-loving people on the face Of
the earth. The sounds of the Independ-
! ence bell have not we. died out Its re-
verheratiOns are still ringing through the
dungeons where political prisoners are
| languishing. and are caught up with
| gladstone hearts by the struggling pa
! triots of every cline. This is the lesson
| of the Fourth of July.
Therefore ii was but natural and truly
! American that when right at our door the
/ natives of the soil who mad been most in
humanity and barbarously treated for cen
/ turies, and who were struggling TO eman-
/ cipate themselves from the thraIdom
/ which had CALLED and fretted them, that
/ we, the representatives of a higher and
nober humanity, should not only ex-
( tend our sympathy. but also intervene
( with the force of arms
And thus the present war with Spain
/ was engendered from no desire 20 enrich
/ ourselves with the possessions of others,
/ but TO aid in restoring 70 its real masters
/ and citizens the land of their fathers.
| But the evolutions ircident 70 history,
especially in times of war. are many, and
/ no one can foresee with certainty the
/ outcome. Therefore, IL we are confront
| ed with new conditions, and If the char
| acter traditional and national. of our
country is changed II is simPlya repsti-
| ton of all history, and must be accept
ed with firmness, energy and the loftiest
/ spirit OF patriotism.
America, in this present struggle is
/ the agent of the divine logic of history
and the unerring DEGREES OF Providence
| wrongs must be righted, the dignity of
| man upheld the laws of humanity re-
| enforced and the enlightenment created
by and through the institutions OF the
| United States receive new impulse and
| impetus TO scatter their influence
throughout the world. If in this develop
| ment and onward march OF the nation II
is necessary to annex Hawaii, to seize
/ Porto Rico, to aid the Cubans in govern
| ing their own fair land, if Il become
necessary TO build the Nicaragua canal,
10 have a great navy and army commen-
| surate with the demands of the hour, TO
| protect our shores and our people and to
carry TO the IdTtAST cOnTlIseS the edTCH
| the peaceful evidences of our commercial
| activity and enterprise. who is TO gaiHsay
this destiny of the Republic? Who will
| dare to say that We must stop half way
and allow other nations, who do not carry
the banner of freedom and enlightenment
to precede us in this course-not of en-
pire, not of Imperialism. but of true de-
mocracy and of the highest Americanism?
I'VE must not forget that this is an
| age of competition; vast commercial en-
terprises are constantly created and de-
veloping, and the questions of labor and
/ capital are of the most serious import
| ance To satisfy the one and to find
fields for the employment of the other
requires the closest attention of the wis
est craftsmanship. New channels must
be constantly found where this boiling and