Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-05
GLORIOUS FOURTH
In PARIS
Continued from Page 3.
FOR THE RIGHTS OF NAN

america rose in rebellion against
arbitrary and absolute government:
she unsheathcd the sword in the name
OF the rights Of man and of the cit
iZcn. There is but One who in His own
right has power 10 rule over men-Al-
mighty God, and from Him is derived
whatever authority is exercised in hui
man society. That it is communicated
by HIM to the people TO be exercised
In the form which they choose, by
those from whom they designate. And
the men in whom this authority is in
vested by delegations of the people are
to use II not for the benefit OF the one
or the few. but for the good of the pco-
pie. All this is the plain teaching of
reason and religion. and yet not sell
dom were such simple truths forgot
ten. not seldom in practice was power
held as If ii belonged TO dynasties and
classes, and exercised as if the hui
man race lived for the few The re-
bcllion of Il people on so large a scale
was the uprising of the American col
onies could not but challenge universal
attention, and the triumph of such a
rebellion could not but stir other pco-
pies to Il sense of their rights and to
Il stern resolve to maintain them The
American colonies went further. In
o"uer to make II the more certain tina;
civil and political power should he
recognized ms coming from the people
and as being given for the good of the
people, they declared that with them
IT should be exercised by the people
as large and as direct Il representation
OF the people as was found compatible
with peace and order in the commu-
nifty. Hence the Republican form OF
government adopted by them. The
creation of the Republic of the United
Stntcs was the inauguration of n new
era in the life of the human race--thc
era Of the rights of manhood and of
citizenship and OF the rights of thu.
people Such Is the true meaning Of
tho American Revolution. and full sig
ntiic&nce of the work done in America
by Lafayette and France.
THE AGE OF THE PEOPLE
This is the age OF the people Every
decade Will mark n new advance in the
triumphant march OF Democracy Po-
litical movements do not 20 backward:
the people do not abandon except un-
der duress. and then only for n time,
rights OF which they were once pos
sessed, or the power which they have
once welded to maintain and enlarge
those rights. TO seek for arguments
against Democracy in it's apparent
perils is a waste of time. The part of
true craftsmanship is to study the per-
lis such as they may be and take meas
ures to avert them. The progress of
Democracy cannot he stayed. He who
would rule must rule through the pco-
pie, through the individual men who
constitute the people. To obtain results
In the civil and political world he must
go 10 the individual, enlighten his
mind, form his conscience and thus en-
list his sympathies and win his intelli-
gent cooperation. He who does this
VIII succeed. He who uses other meth
obs fails. The task for those who would
rule man is made more difficult. The
Time is long gone by When men can be
swayed by sword or proclamation. But
"a N in hoe
and they who love manhood in men
should rejoice.
To America and France is given the
noble mission 20 be 10 the world the
eXamplars of civil and political liberty.
That they be true to their mission
must be the prayer of all friends OF
liberty; of all friends of humanity. The
better to ensure the possession OF lib
erty they have taken to themselves
the highest form OF Democracy-they
have made themselves Republics.
They must show that such form of
liberty is capable of enduring amid all
the writings and passions of human
ity. and that beneath it in harmony
with its promises there are to be found
liberty's best and Sweetest blessings
To them is assigned the task of prov
ing that the fullest democracy guar
antees TO people. together with libcr-
~. the security OF law and order. and
tion--that the fullest democracy ever
true to it's name and profession, means
for the individual man and citizen the
actual and assured enjoyment OF the
personal rights which he inherits from
nature and natures God, save only in
asmuch as rctrenchment of such
rights is imperative for the main
tenance of public order and the safe
guarding of the rights of other men,
hers of the community. And now
what is said to-day be it said to-mor-
row: be it said down the ages to come
Here upon this historic place IN
Frances own capital city. where meet
the nations OF the earth. there will
stand, with Frances gracious permits
sion, an abiding Interpreter Of Ameri-
cas- gratitude to France for her par
ticipation in Americas war, and of the
principles of civil and political liberty
which were the life and soul of that
who should 1t be? Who could ii be-
If truth has rights and merit has re-
ward, but Gilbert Moticr. Marquis de
Lafayette? Then genius of art. We
pray three give us back the form Of
our beloved Lafayette Bid him live
again in his own France and to the
world. Who more fittingly than La
fayette could be hidden to speak 20
France the gratitude of America? And
who more fittingly than Lafayette
could stand forth before the world as
the representative of the principles OF
civil and political liberty for which he
and Washington fought? The enemies
of liberty he hated-Absolutism in its
arbitrary authority and anarchy in
its chaotic rioting. When the struggle
in France for liberty degenerated into
mad riot no cast aside the leadership
which he had taken in the name of lib
erty. and which he could have retain
h In. In -