The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-02

Rev W. y. Simonds preached an able
and patriotic sermon yesterday on ''The
American Declaration OF Independence"
AT the First Unitarian church. before a
large congregation. His sermon was elo-
ouent and couched In choice diction The
declaration, he said. gave hope to all
the world for all time. He said. in part:
IAN ardent lover OF liberty once sug-
gesied that the thirteenth, fourteenth
and fifteenth amendments TO the United
gfates constitution ought TO be called
those scored amendments In like spirit
! am moved 10 call the American Decla-
ration OF Independence that sacred dec
laratton The most important and re-
msrkable state paper In the world wrote
Theodore Parker July 4, 1576. great
advance was made not only in American
AFFAIRS. but In human AFFAIRS; 50 thought
Daniel Webster 1 never had n feeling.
politically said Abraham Lincoln. that
did not spring from the sentiments en-
bodied In the Declaration OF Indepen-
dence This declaration gave hope 10
oil the world for all future time
The DECLARATION Of Independence, writ
ten by Thomas Jefferson, one OF the
master spirits OF his age; defended by
John Adams. that incarnation Of the
sturdy patriotism OF New England. APP
proved by Benjamin Franklin. the widest
mind that shone this side the sea; com
mended by Washington. the greatest char
scter OF his century; adopted by the rep
resentatives Of the United states OF
that declaration is the nohlest political
document ever framed by the hand Of
man. One clause Of the Declaration OF
Independence. containing scarcely more
than fifty words. Is an unequaled sum
mary OF political wisdom. n complete and
fnal statement of the rights of man.
I'VE hold these truths to be self
evident: That all men are created equal;
that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain inalenahle rights; that
among these are life. liberty and
fhe pursuit Of happiness. That. TO Sc
cure these rights governments are insti-
ttued among men deriving their just pow
ers from the consent of the governed
mo equal number OF words were ever
made 10 express 40 much OF truth funda-
mental 20 both liberty and progress. Note
clearly how much this declaration at
firms.
First. man possesses God-ordained.
and, therefore. inalienable rights; rights
that were never conferred by courts or
psraments, that can never he annulied
BY any human authority. This Ia the
doctrine OF the higher law. without which
all government becomes but the rule
OF the strongest and man. the free child
OF God. becomes the victim OF force
and fraud. Government does not Gre
ate the law of liberty or the sense Of
Justice. II must itself obey these that
II may rightfuily Claim obedience OF truth
loving men
Second here also. In this sublime dec
laration IL the doctrine Of the equality
Of man. Equality OF privilege. equality
Of opportunity and so far as possible
equality of condition.
1T IL fashionable in some quarters to
ridicule and condemn as a glitterinR gem
sYality fatuous falschnod. the statement
that all men are created equal Yet
equality, and not inequality, Is the true
social IDEAL, Progress does not beckon
" toward that state In which the rich
are richer and the poor poorer than today:
or toward that society In which a few
sre wiser and the Inn sses more ignorant
than at present Progress contemplates
the greatest good to the greatest num-
bsr and the substantial equality OF man
must ever remain the goal OF civic evo-
luton.
Third. having announced as among In
alienable rights life liberty and the
pursuit OF happiness. our revolutionary
fathers were brave enough and wise
enough 10 affirm that governments derive
their Just powers from the consent Of the
governed The people are the source
of power This Ia true AmeriCRnism. 1t
10 fundamental, central, vital To deny
the sacred risht OF Hcif-EoVernment 20
any people OF province within the iurtsdic-
ton Of the United States-~savc only as
temporary necvssitN in the interest Of
law and order Is 20 abandon all that
has made our history honorable II is to
barter for the gospel OF greed and the
dream ~ the aahlugatiou OF weaker ma
lions our foremost place IN all this world
az land dedicated 10 liberty for man,
woman and child
THANK 0od / also am an American
Why Because we are great ia numbers
and In wealth. Not SO Because under
Of happiness has here been secured 10
the common man than in any age ar
land known 90 history America IA ii6-
erty. Liberty forever and fer all"