Decorah-posten., 1899-09-22

~ ~ - ~
born alike, the land of the free
and the home of the brave. Thu
very name exalts the pride and
kindles the fire of patriotism.
America, were it mine to eIorify
thee, | would conjure up the past
and tell my sacred story. | would
attain some noble eminence. and
frame its vantage view what is
and what is past.
Looking backward, | would
span the centuries to plucE
grapes with Viking ancestors on
the shores of Vinland, while
banquet with their distinguished
defendants here tonight.
America, | would participate in
all your grand achievements.
would join the pilgrims OF the
Mayflower IN their compact for
just and equal laws, and plant
with them, in the virgin soil Of
the New World, the seeds Of
civil and religious liberty. With
the revolutionary fathers | would
pledge my life, my fortunes and
my sacred honor to the principles
of the Declaration, at Independ.
ence Hall. would fight for lib.
erty and independence at Licking.
ton and Bunker Hill, and turn
back the tide of slavery and Sc
cession at Gettysburg.
would follow the Stars of En-.
pire in its course, and uphold the
flag, on land and sea, at home and
abroad.
That starry emblem, like some
heavenly constellation, describinr
circles now around the earth, and
symbolizing all that is sacred and
lofty in human government, is re-
cognized and saluted by all ma
tions wherever it floats.
America, your sp endid growth,
the magnificent extent of your
commercial and political empires,
your domestic honor and material
prosperity, are truly subjects for
human congratulation. The spirit
OF your institutions, and the gran
deur of your republican dignity
attract the envy of the world.
To you, America, it was re-
served to discover the mysteries
of political alchemy-to combine
in Just proportions the principles
OF humanity, liberty and law.
BY your teachings and your in.
stitutions you have raised individ-
ual manhood to a higher level,
and made of the citizen a sover-
ereign.
By the silent influence of your
example you have shaken to their
foundations the rock-ribbed mon
arches of the world. And, when,
in the course of human events, it
has become necessary for you to
avenge insult, or repel injury, by
force of arms, the justice of your
cause, and the moderation of your
views, have given grace to your
victories.
If it were ours to dip into the
future, we should behold the ris-
ing glories of Greater America.
We should then find warrant, as
we now find earnest, in the prom
Use, that, as the American Con
tinent was the first in order of
creation, America will be the last
in the fulhlment of the destinies
of nations.
America, under the guidance of
Providence, by the hand, the
heart and the brain of man, your
institutions were involved, your
temples of humanity, liberty and
law erected. By the same agen-
cies they may be destroyed. |
am not blind to the many abuses
of our public trusts, nor to the
dangers threatened by plutocratic,
private trusts. But so long as we
cherish the memories of the past,
SO long shall we know our duties
and maintain our rights. So long
shall we continue to be a free and
independent, happy and prosper
Gus people. "lnf1exible in faith,
invincible in arms"
Ladies and Gentlemen, raise
your glasses high and drink to the
health and prosperity of America!
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