The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-07-02
THE FOURTH OF JULY.
Why Our Nation Will Never Fade From
the People of the Earth.

assa@ssSsA set the foundations Of the
- great republic, it is compe-
tent to weigh dispassiouately
and without prejudice the issues involved
in che Declaration of Independence The
impression Is an erroneous one that the
document was a blow aimed at any parti-
cular government or people. Incidentally
the mother country was made to feel the
shock of the crash which succeeded its
adoption; but its real purpose was to pro-
should be free. 1t was the first distinct
utterance heard in all the world that lib
city is the priceless heritage of humanity
and that men are capable of governing
themselves, independent of kings, cars
and emperors.
During many years too many OF our peo-
pile mistook the movement for liberty; they
thought it to be eternal enmity against
Great Britain. The latter country but fol
lowed the rule of the ages when it sought
to hold fast to that which it had. To the
ringing protest Of the declaration the only
possible arbitrament was that OF the sword
The fight was long and gallant on both
sides; but the God of battles was Cd the
side OF the colonists and the United States
became one of the nations that shall not
fade from the peoples of the earth But
rancor should have disappeared wish the
proclamation of peace The contest was
for a principle than which no greater ever
engaged the thought Of man, and they who
were great enough to enunciate aud battle
for it to victory were too noble that they
should transmit to their children and child
ren's children heritage OF hate 1t is the
savage and semicivilized only who cul
tivate resentment, as the gardener cares
for the choicest plants of his collection
A people that is absolutely free can at
ford to be free from prejudice and should
he magnanimous in spirit. The genius of
America is liberty, the unqualified right of
each person to freedom of action and to
participation is government. The Declare.
ton Of Independence was bold document
it enunciated what until then was purely
theoretic. Philosophers had reasoned of
government by the people and poets had
sung of day Of mans deliverance from
kings and all other oppressors; but no peo-
pie had been SO bold as to put into practice
the teachings of given schools or the dreams
of the poets. Old Rome was republic
but in name, being ever under the DONNA.
ton OF that greatest Of all tyrants, the army
Just as our sister republic, France, feels its
iron heels to this day. The nations looked
on with smile as the revolutionary CON
test was waged They REGARDED the issue
as determined in advance of the fight. So
long dependent upon kings, they felt that
no nation could be established without the
intervention of those imbued with "the d.
vine right SO the kingly nations have
sneered ever since, insisting that a govern
ment of the people and by the people is an
impossihility. Yet while the monarchies
ieered this nation was born, and as they
have sneerea the nation has waxea strong,
until now it is secure though the com.
hined forces of the world asSall it. 1t has
overcome pcrils from within, It has con
quered enemies from without 1t has learned
that people are most secure who love
peace, and who aim to reach the glory
that is to to be won from the highest de
velopment of brain and Drawn along lines
that add to the material expansion of the
whole people. Without malice towards
other peoples, carefully guarding its own
rights hut as jealousy regardful of the
rights of other nations. ours has come to
magnificent growth, respected and feared,
where not loved, by the other nations of
the world. And thus the declaration of
July 1, 1776, unlike most pronounce
ments of man, has fulfilled Infinitely more
than its promise.