The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1901-07-17

which had hewn the way for liberty 10
scome possible. That statue now adorns
the harbor OF New York, holding torch
in its hand to light the way across the
seas, that those in distant climes may
view the light which shines from the
shores of America. Upon this statue is
inscribed Liberty enlightens the world"
In it's hand is the wreath of peace. 1t en-
nghtens the world, not by the clash of
arms, or the frowns of despotism. but by
the light of liberty. which, when it shines
in the breasts of men. causes them to obey
the only commandment ever given by the
Son of God, That We love one another"
MORAL ADVANCEMENT GODS PURPOSE.
No nation in the past has had such
government as ours, and hehce the results
accomplished by us up to the 18th century
was nothing but preparatory work. The
nations of the present day have utilized
this preparatory work and founded their
governments upon code which recognizes
God and his moral government of the
universe, and mans responsibility in
carrying out the designs of this moral
government in the elevation OF the lace.
And of ali the nations we have established
government combining all the excellen-
cies of all others that have ever existed.
1t has for its foundations the indestructi-
bic principles of true religion, human
freedom and general human progress.
The United States are for this reason
destined to play an important and con-
spicuous part in the future history of the
world. Isolated in the Occident, as the
earliest of the race were in the Orient, she
is to become the center from which light,
knowledge and civilization are to be diff
fused over the whole earth.
The events of the last half century have
been pregnant with world wide conse-
quences. These have conspired to make
US rs nation of far more Importance to
the human race and it's future history
than ever the chosen nation of God was in
the infancy of the world. More progress
has been made in science, the arts, dis
coveries, aud in all intellectual achieve
ments, during the last century than had
been made in sixty centuries. 1t seems
as il the human mind was suddenly re-
lieved from the incubus under which it
had labored for the ages, and with some
thing like inspiration entered into the vast
field of the occult and undiscovered ele-
ments of nature and made them subservi-
ent to the phenomenal advancement of
the race. Since the morning stars sang
together at the creation, the atmosphere
and all nature have had diffused in them
the element of electricity, and yet its
presence and utility escaped the attention
of all the sages and philosophers of an
tiquitv. 1t was left for the christianized
mind of the 10th century to comprehend
it's mysterious power and nature, and to
make it a potential and useful agent in the
practical affairs Of life.
In the field of discovery the mechanical
inventions OF the last half century have
revolutionized agriculture and all indus
trial conditions, and furnished substi-
tutes for the labor of man which accom-
plish all the wonders of the human will
and intellect. For the ages, the principle
OF these inventions lay dormant in the
vast storehouse of nature, and human in
genuity failed to comprehend it and make
it factor in progress and civilization. 1t
was reserved for the inquisitive intellect
of the 18th century, quickened by the in
spring influences of christianity. to ex-
IL &c Oh q
ness the forces there stored away in ma
chinery which has given an impetus to
the progress of the world such as has not
been seen in any other era.
But in the development of the princi
Piles of government the most rapid strides
have been made. 1t has been discovered
as almost revelation that man was not
made for governments but governments
exist for man. The idea of the ancient
world was to organize political society
and enact laws to keep its subjects under
restraints, aud to exact perfect obedience
as the only virtue Of government. The
laws Of. .Caligula, posted so high shat no
one could reach them. of Solon. Lycurgus.
DEdCO ouu all OtHel law SA'eIS. we're COueS
intended only for the physical and intel
lectual development Of man. His moral
sense was repudiated and the education
of his moral nature entirely neglected.
He was treated as creature Of time and
circumstances, and no account was taken
of his immort al destiny. In this consist
ed the pre-eminent infirmity Of all the
monarchies and republics which existed
in ancient times. The decalogue. which
should be the foundation of all organized
political society, AS promulgated by the