The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-07-08
New Political Gospel Issued On
The Fourth Of July.
ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN FREEDOM
The Thirteen Colonies Declared
Independent States.

u.
atoga, Lexington-not one is selected.
No, not even the first victory-the
evacuation of Boston by the British on
St. Patrick's Day, 1775; and, strangest
of all, Washington's overwhelming tri-
umph at Yorktown, when the tyrant's
power was utterly broken and its flag
went down in disgrace and humiliation.
Not one Of these anniversaries has been
chosen for independence Day.
But the Fourth of July, 1776-the day
on which new political gospel was
proclaimed to America and to the
world-that is a date that shall never be
forgotten, says the Irish World. For
more than a year before that day-from
the 10Th OF April, 1775--rhe country was
in rebellion. But it was only a re-
bellion. Had the war ended during that
year, even with the advantages to the
patriots, nothing would have been won
for humanity. America would still have
been dependency of England. Such
would be the state of things even with a
successful rebellion. But on the Fourth
of July, 1776, Thomas Jefferson unfold
ed his great chart of the rights of man.
The principles OF the Declaration were
adopted, and then the rebellion became
a revolution. On that memorable day
the American Revolution began. On
that day America sprang into nation,
and the heart of the enslaved world
bounded with Joy.
1t is now impossible to determine the
precise time when preparations for po-
litical independence first became a pre-
vailing sentiment among the people of
the colonies. The thought, no doubt,
was cherished in many minds before it
found expression; but it was not sub
ject for public discussion more than a
few months before it was brought be-
fore Congress. A few men, among
whom were Benjamin Franklin, Pat
rick Henry, Richard Henry Lee and
Samuel Adams, seem to. have had an
early impression that political indie
pendence was the only cure for the
evils under which the colonies groaned
AS early as 1878, Patrick Henry,
speaking of England, said: "She will
drive us to extremities; no accommo-
dation will take place; hostilities will
soon commence, and a desperate and
bloody touch it will be-" Being. re-
minded that the colonies were not
strong enough to oppose the fleets and
armies Of England, Mr. Henry replied:
Il doubt whether we shall be able,
alone, to cope with England; but where
is France? Where is Spain? Where
will they be all this while? Do you
suppose they will stand by, idle and in
different spectators to the contest? Be-
lieve me, no! When Louis XVI. shall
be satisfied, by our serious opposition
and Our declaration of independence, he
will furnish us with arms, ammunition
and clothing; and not only with them,
but he will send his fleets and armies
to fight our battles for US; he will form
a treaty with us, offensive and defensive.
Spain will join France. Our indepen-
dence will be established, and we shall
take our stand among the nations Of the
earthw ~ s'tt "a
How literally these predictions were
fulfilled the pen Of history has already
recorded. When England sent fleets
and armies hither to coerce submission
to her injustice; ito plunder our seas,
ravage our coasts, burn our towns,
harass our people and eat out their sub
stance"
When England became totally "deaf
to the voice of JUSTICE" the patriots
were obliged to "acquiesce in the ne
cessity which compelled them to dissolve
the political bands which connected
them with another, and to assume among
the powers OF the earth the separate and
equal station to which the laws of ma
ture and of NATURES God entitled them"
The lightning of the crusades was in
the peoples hearts, and it needed but
single electric touch to make it blaze
forth upon the world North Carolina
was the first to take the bold progressive
step toward independence. On April
22, 1776, the representatives of that state
in congress were authorized TO concur
with those in the other colonies in de-