The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1899-07-05
The NATIONS Birthday.
Andrew Stewart Spreads Wide
the Eagles Wings at
Ldmberton.
Glorious American Institutions
Bathed In American
Patriotism.

A large crowd OF people listened to
A. D. Stewards grafton at Lamberton
yesterday. In part, he said:
This is the Nations birthday. The song of
labor, the hum of business have ceased
Throughout the land and a mighty people,
moved by sense of duty and the spirit of
patriotic pride have assembled to comment
crate that event which declared thirteen
feeble, dependent American colonies to be
free and independent States.
Of all our National holidays July 4th is the
most generally observed by our people. We
remember Feb 22d as Washing .on's birth
day-the birthday of that great military
genius who is entitled to first rank among
the great generals of history. We remember
Feb. 18th as the birthday of our martyred
President, who presided over the destiny of
our Nation in the days of its supreme trial;
but this is our Natal day and it is fitting that
we should do honor and homage to those who
! brought forth upon this continent new ma
ton, and to lift our hearts in grateful rec
ognltion to kind and beneficent Father for
the blessing which we, as a Nation enjoy.
We observe this day in order that there
may be preserved and kept alive within the
breast of the American citizen the spark of
pau IoIloul. IL VIC DIE u successfully WORK
out the great problems of self government
| our cltlzenshlp must be Americanized and
our institutions bathed in patriotism and in
the love OF country. believe that the OBJ
servance OF this anniversary serves to re-
new and strengthen our allegiance to Wash
ington's constitution and to Lincoln's
amendments and deepens our affection for
our flag whose silken folds proudly float to-
day over every popular gathering of Ameri-
can citizens from ocean to ocean. We do
we'll to remember July 4th.1776,as the event
from which we date our beginning as a Ma
/ ton and to regard the celebrated State pa
per which was adopted in Independence
Hall, Philadelphia. that day, as Americas
great declaration of human rights.
The Declaration of independence clearly
sets forth the reasons of the Thirteen Colo
MES for separation from the mother coun-
try, and enunciates the doctrine that the
purpose and end of civil government is to
secure to the governed the blessings of life.
liberty and the pursuit of happiness This
theory of government which recognizes the
political equality of all men was not iucor-
porated IN the political economy of old world
monarchies. In those days human society
was largely represented by master and
slave. The few rnled-the many served. The
doctrine of the native equality of all men.
in it's various phases, was the pivot around
which all the great wars of history have
been waged Conversion to this doctrine
made man FESTIVE, impatient-determined
to be Free and when oppression became in.
toleraole ne marched to his freedom, though
the march was through sea of blood.
60 back few centuries and you will find
that the great mass of the people of present
European nations scarcely enjoyed any
social or political rights. Military force
was the only recognized law of society,"
Slavery was regarded as divine institution.
GRADUALLY nave the natural rights of man
oeen recognized Slow have been his i'm
provements in natural and social conditions
Step oy step through suffering, pain and
sacrifice has he won his freedom. Tins
through the slow centuries have the ideas of
justice liberty, political equality and uni
versal brotherhood been developed which
have shaped legislation. framed institutions
and controlled the destiny of nations. Turn
the pages of history in search of man 3 high
est examples OF heroic endeavor and YOU
will find them actuated not bv the love of
fame nor gold, but liberty
Liberty is the dearest sentiment tno1r- 80
the human heart. Our forefathers left the
comforts and conveniences of the old world
and came to an untried new, where they
might enjoy those blessings of civil and re-
ligious liberty to which nature and natures
God entitled them. The story of their trial
and hardship is too well known to he re-
peated here. but our institutions which have
made US great and strong rest upon those
principles, which were held and taupht nv
the founders of the colonies.
We speak of liberty as II It were an Ameri-
can product. Forty-six years ago Webster
said II shall defer my visit to Faneufl Hail.
the cradle of American liberty" This was
an erroneous statement. Liberty was not