The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-07-05

conventions of time, the precious associa.
tlons OF kmship and blood, because the
doors held liberty to he the greatest bless.
ing OF humanity. They believed that peace
was not possible, and that happiness was
unattalnable except through her benign aid.
Better the loss of Englands protection, bet.
ter the sundering of lifelong ties, better the
dividing of father against son and of son
against brother. than that men with long
ings for greatest liberty should be crushed
under the iron heels OF a rank oppression.
The declaration was read to the army a
few days later. Everywhere it was re-
ceved by the people with loud acclaims OF
joy. They stood ready to confirm its words
with their property and their lives, and
to seal it with the kiss of their most sacred
honor. The number of patriots was small in
those days. There were scarcely three millions
of souls in all. But they were as one people
with a single purpose Their watchword
was liberty, with protection for all, the
humbest as well as the most exalted. They
staked their all upon the ISSUE and con
Quered because of the oneness of their
purpose and the holiness of their resolve
For ITEM to will was to do. for the reason
that they had compelled their masters in
the past to be content with the name OF
tyrant, without any of its privileges.
But the Fourth of July does not stop
in its teaching with the lesson of the Dec
laration of Independence Every result Of
that lesson is but another lesson to be
learned of the beauty and comclness OF the
child Of promise.
In the struggle for independence, in the
building of a constitution. in the second
war with Great Britain, in the wars with
Indians and Mexico, and in the mighty
struggle between the states-in all of these
the glory of the Fourth of July is manifest,
typifying the beauty and strength of ma.
ton, which, though born in weakness, pos
sessed the elements of endurance and match
less development.
Aye, and the Fourth recalls the ability
of the people and the lawmakers and rulers
of the republic to meet the requirements OF
IA rapidly-developing nation. Whatever the
emergency, and the perils have been many
and great, they are found equal to the du
ties imposed upon them.
The day is of no value, except it be a great
teacher of patriotism 1t is well to hail and
acclaim 1t for its memories, so pure and pre-
cous But these memories should impress
the lessons, not only of joy and gladness,
because of tho heritage that is all the PEG
pies, but also it should teach that what
is as the cumulative effects of loyalty and
zeal must be used to the greatest good of the
living, and for the supremest benefit OF
those who are yet unborn.
As the fathers builded for the unborn,
so this generation must look ahead and
learn What is good for those who are to
be. The lamp of the past should flash into
the future. The nation has grown from
100000 to S0,0OO0OO. The close of an
other century may show a people Of 4OO,-
100000 or more. The improvement of the
present-the holding fast to the consttu-
ton and laws with such changes as are
made necessary by existent conditions; in
this way the safety of the republic is as
fIred and its future greatness becomes con
irmed.
1t is an earnest of the patriotism of the
roople that the Fourth of July is com.
Nemorated. 1t is the liberty day of the ma
ton, and so long ms it is honored, so long
the people honor themselves, and no fear
need be had as to theviolation Of epcople's
rights. The fathers saw in this day the
harbinger of future safety. They predicted
its celebration and realized its sanctity. 1t
is distinctive holiday for all of the people,
and is celebrated in honor of the whole
nation. The duty of patriotism cannot be
too emphaticaly taught people which has
assumed the onerous task of amagamating
into their life the ignorant and oppressed of
other nations.
WILLIAM ROSSER COBBE.