The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-05

the obligations of citizenship and how far
above the allurements Of personal ambi-
tion they place the progress Of great
cause and the welfare of the whole coun-
| try
Finally, / congratulate you upon the
| high purpose that brings you together In
common with the great chosen representa-
| tiyes OF that great organization which oc-
ciipies the centre of the allied political re-
| form forces of the nation. we have come
to this beautiful city to take counsel to-
gether touching the dangers that threaten
the Republic; to reafiirm the fundamental
principles CT human liberty and popular
institutions; to declare the policies that
should control the legislation and admin
istration Of the Government; and to nomi-
nate candidates for President and Vice
President OF the United States.
An Inspiring Occasion
. ''The whole circuit Of the year could Of
fer to this occasion no other day so ap-
propriste to its object as the fourth day OF
July. 1t will be one of the chief duties Of
these two great Conventions to meet the
present grave crisis in our history. due to
the recreancy of Republican leadership to
the fundamental principles of cur institu-
tions. by proclaiming anew the immortal
truths OF the Declaration OF Independence.
and by calling upon the patriotism OF the
country 10 maintain and peTpetuate the
glorious traditions Of the Republic. For
a century and quarter this day has been
sacred to these holy ideals We have well
coined its advent with acclamations OF Joy.
We have celebrated its progress with pa
triotic exercises. with music, and song, and
speech. We have lighted its departure
hon or,i Eaa, l.;
torches almost rivaling the briliiancy Of
the stars. This we have done because
of that fatefuI Fourth Of July morning
when, 124 years ago our fathers proclaimed
the birth of a rev nation among the pow
ers of the earth. nation, in the words
Of the greatest Republican Conceived in
liberty and dedicated to the proposition
that all men are created equal Because,
during every moment of cur history since
then until now. the sublime proclamations
of that Declaration have faithfully voiced
the convictions and the aspirations OF an
overwhelming majority Of the American
people. and because we have always be-
leved. we most devoutly do believe
today that the preservation OF this Re-
public and the accomplishment of its mis-
sion of peace and liberty among the people
of the earth depend upon the reverent OBJ
the principles thus announced by our faith
ers
For U.s. as former members of the Re-
publican party. an especial though now
melancholy interest attaches to the Dec
laration Of Independence for the reason
that when the first National Convention OF
that party assembled in the historic city
of Philadelphia forty-four years ago last
month the inevitable associations of the
place and the then noble sentiments of the
party caused the adoption Of a platform CT
which the following is the first clause OF
the very first resolution:
''Resolvrd That the maintenance Of the prir-
ciplcs promulgated in the Declaration Of iHde-
pendenCe and embodied in the Federal Constitu-
tion i, essential for preservation OF republican
institutions,
The Declaration Ignored.
"a few days ago another convention OF
the Republican party met in the city of
Philadelphia, the date being selected as
near as possible to the anniversary of the
convention of 1856. But. mark this start
ling and most significant fact: In all the
numerous resolutions so skillfully framed
by this Convention of 1900. there APPEARS |
not one resolution. not one word. do- cne |
syllable OF reference to the Declaration OF |
independence. Gould anything EiOre cse4F!y
illustrate the decadenee of that onee
splendid and patriotic organization The
sacred precincts of the old colonial capt.
tai sheltered for them no shade of Wash
ington or jefferson or Henry or Otis or
Rutledge or Adams. For them there was
no magic in the name Of 'Philadclph
whose very utterance has been wont to
stir the souls OF four generations OF Aueri-
cans with memories of independence Day,
1T76 For them no precedent spoke OF
June. 1856 Strange, inexpiicahle, that
great Convention of Republicans could as
sembie in the city OF Philadelphia and re-
main deaf TO the echoes OF that rlonlent-
aus history While every 'babblIng gos-
sin of the air was repeating over and over
again to those that had ears to hear that
all men are created equal: that they are
endowed by their creator with certain
rights: that among these are
life. liberty. and the pursuit of happi
ness: that to secure these rights gov
ernments are instituted among men. de-
riying their Just powers from the consent
,f the governed to them the associations
,f the place were as dumb as the riyen
throat OF old liberty bell. And SO that
Convention adjourned without prociaiming
It's devotion to the doctrines whose fame |
has glorifed and sanctifcd, not only the