The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-03
THE REPUBLICS BIRTHDAY

of the Declaration of Independence, pre-
pared by a commit tee consisting of
Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin,
John Adams, Roger Sherman. and Robert
R. Livingstone, Jefferson having the
honor of making the draft Of the instru-
ment. It was received with acclaim by
congress. The bell of the state house in
Philadelphia pealed forth its inscription
taken from the Bible: Proclaim liberty
throughout the land unto all the inhab-
Fitants thereof" The document was put
forth to sound the disposition of the peo-
pie Of the colonies, whether they were
anxious enough to have the abuses of the
British government removed, to enter
upon the sacrifice and suffering of war
against the Mother country. The people
applauded the action of congress and
prepared for struggle. The ratification
of the final treaty of peace in 1884 was the
sign and seal of the accomplishment of
the purpose declared in 1776. The birth
of the republic occurred In the latter
year.
The early celebrations of the anniver-
sary of that birth were characterized by
greater Difference to religious sentiment
than is observable to-day. The reading of
the Declaration in the churches, with an
grafton somewhat akin in character to a
sermon, was common. Public dinners and
orations there were also. There was per-
ha'ps, formerly, more general recogni-
tion OF the meaning of the celebration
than exists now. The observance was
more impressive. This spirit character
lied the observanceso of Decoration Day for
some years. At present the occasion has
been to great extent characterized by
the intensive cultivation Of sports and
excursions. At intervals there is re-
turn to the more serious and thoughtful
observance. r,. =. IL 5;..s]s: 4:
AS to the Fourth of July, there is to-
day an omnibus increase of political parti-
zanship in celebrations, and notably in the
quality Of the oratory. There are i'm
proper appeals to the prejudices of men.
The most grotesque theories advanced by
party orat ors are credited to the .'prin-
ciples of the Declaration of Independ-
ence." Men who propose the adoption of
measur inimical to national honor and
credit are the loudest in their professions
of obedience to those principles. The
affirmation of the principles of equality.
inalienable rights. the right to adopt any
form of government people may desire,
has been misconstrued, exaggerated, car
featured. ~..
Ut has become necessary in these latter
days, when the nation has become strong
and wealthy and education would seem to
pervade the land, to enlight en- many as to
what the Declaration really declared, and
what the constitution which grew out of
it can do and what it cannot do. The
breaking up of the union was attempted
under the constitution, and under "Jef-
fersonian principles forty years ago.
The authority of the Declaration of 1776
and "Jeffersonian principles was invoked
by the promoters of the single silver
standard in the campaigns of 1896 and
1900. The Declaration stands for protec-
tion to and safeguarding of individual and
in this country, to-day, are making prop
ositions which mean the impairment and
destruction of those rights. They would
reform transport a ton methods by pre-
venting carriers from making their run
ming expenses. and increase individual
wealth by furnishing the country with
dollars worth less than half their face
value. >.s'~ = - - .,
The recurrence of the red-letter day,
the anniversary Of the Declaration of In
dependence, furnishes an opport unity for
Intelligent examination of the basal prin-
ciples of our government. These princi-
pies cannot mean republican form Of gov
ernment and anarchic confusion at one
and the same time. Sweet and bitter
waters come not out of the same fountain.
Our constitution is largely modelled on
the constitution Moses gave to the He
brew commonwealth. In some respects
the latter was better than our own. It
very strictly defined individual and public
rights, and, in. operation, effectively pro-
tected each. But, If we lived strictly up
to the doctrines embodied in our sDeclara-
tion Of Independence and nstitution.
there would be no peril from capitalistic
combination abuses, overta4ation, or at
tempts Of financial cranks to change the
mathematics of finance and business so
that 1t shall be taught that fifty cents is
equal to one hundred cents.