Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1901-09-11
THE GROWTH OF LIBERTY.

In 1776 slavery existed in every one
OF the thirteen colonies, and continued
even in the old Northwest Territory,
for fifty years after Liberty Bell OF In
dependence Hall, at Philadelphia, had
rung out the opening of new era, pro-
claiming "Liberty to all the world"
and the illustrious patriots had affixed
their signatures to the immortal Dec
laration OF Independence. Many of the
signers OF the Declaration, and its au-
thor, Thomas Jefferson, were slave
holders and believed slavery to be a
"divine institution" The struggle for
perfect freedom was not completed
until the Emancipation Proclamation
had been signed by Abraham Lincoln
and the Thirte enth amendment to the
Constitution had forever wiped the
| "twin relic OF barbarism" from our
statute books in every State and Terri
tory, and all men, without regard to
race or color or previous condition OF
servitude," stood as equal, in fact as
we'll as in name, before the law. When
the Continental Congress, one hundred
and twenty five years ago, adopted the
Declaration OF Independence, complete
freedom, government OF the people, by
the people, and for the people," was a
long ways in the future in the United
States, and its final accomplishment
was only brought about through years
OF bloody war and the sacrifice OF mil
lions OF lives and expenditure OF untold
treasure. Now, in fact, this is "free
country" but we have "paid the plice."
In other lands the growth OF liberty
has been no less tardy, and we are
prone to fiatter ourselves with the be-
lief that even yet the United States is
the only country on earth where men
are indeed free to enjoy their birth
right of natural equality-the right to
"pursue Happiness" according to their
own individual ideals. In this we are
likely to be self deceivers to some ex-
tent, for patriotism and love OF native
land is not our exclusive privilege. The
struggle for human liberty in France
began virtually in 1776. The govern
ment OF that country in that year I'M
der Louis XVI, was an absolute mon
archy. Spain also was an absolute
monarchy, and so were all the German
states and Austria. Italy as govern
ment at that time did not exist, and
was held by Austria under repressive
and oppressive system that was foreign
to every idea of human freedom-its
people being vassals and virtual slaves
subjects to tyrant's within or wanton
cruelty not realized by the people of
our age. Central and South Amer
lea were under SPANS despotic rule
the unfortunate victims OF system
Of spoilation and OF official pillage OF
which we have in recent years seen a
sample in Cuba. Even in England,
at that time mode of freedom as they
understood it in that day only one
person in fifty had the privilege of
voting for members OF Parliament.
The era of freedom has been vastly
enlarged in these last 1875 years. In
the United States of the present there
is liberty which was then far in the
future. The entire American con-
tinent, with the exception of Clnada
and few spots so small that they
can hardly be discerned on the map,
is master OF its own DIES tinies and
Canada enjoys measure of freedom
hich was undreamed OF and unwished
for at that time. Porto Rico, which
was emancipated by America in 1898,
has just been given a measure of local
rule which has started its own career
towards statehood in the American
union. The Philippines, through the
government which went into operation
ON July fourth, are tasting freedom
for the first time in their history.
France is republic; the German en-
pire has manhood sutfrag, in tn.
election OF the popular branch OF its
Parliament; Austria, Spain, Italy,
Belgium and all the rest of the Eu-
ropean countries except Russia and
Turkey have representative institutions,
while Great Britain, excepting for its
hereditary head, is virtually republic.
The King Mercantile Co. are fur
n:shing pretty buggies and elegant
turnouts to all the people who have a
desire to enjoy themselves and believe
in the old maxim: GAS we Journey
through life let us live by the way"
Carney, the painter, hangs wallpaper
in the best and latest style.
Unlimited money at lowest rates
to loan on improved land.-O. r. Hol-
comb.