The Irish standard., 1902-04-19

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of the Federal Union Of which our
state is q constituent member.
In the marvellous and fateful contest
known as the American Revolution,
hnman valor and human intellect won
glory never surpassed in human
achievement. Tyranny provoked the
uprising, Liberty was the prize cov-
eted, and philosophy guided the way
unto the scientific adjustment of gov
ernmental institutions to the sovereign
DEGREES of Liberty.
AT each recurring anniversary of the
battle of Lexington, the thoughts of
every patriotic citizen of the United
States of America revert fondly to his
country and to the history of that
country.
We mediate, with ever renewed
and constantly augmented eation
upon the institutions which, under the
Providence of Almighty God have rem
dered us happy, prosperous, free and
triumphant people.
Consider for one moment the impor-
lance of the station which we have
gained among the nations of the world
The word, America" literally con-
strued, is term of vast territorial
import. 1t is, properly. the designa-
ton Of all the land in the Western
Hemisphere. Geographical science de-
fines America" as region extending
about ten thousand miles. north and
south, from the Arctic to the Antarctic
zone and embracing every variety of
soil and climate. In addition to the
primary divisions of North America
and South America, the continent is
subdivided into many countries.
The majority of the population of
America speak the language and pro-
fess the religion of the Latin races.
The United States occupy less than
one-third of the region known as North
America. In spite of these facts, the
common usage of mankind is to refer
to our own country as America" and
to ourselves as Americans" thus ac-
cording to us the palm Of supremacy
in the New World. Surely the history
of a land SO honored must be worthy
of careful and attentive consideration.
Surely, the men who established the
separate national existence of that
country and founded its institutions,
merit the homage of our people! The
anniversary of the birthday of George
Washington, the chief revolutionist,
the leader of the armies which achieved
American independence, the principal
factor in the molding and adoption Of
our Federal Constitution and the first
President of the United States of
America, always furnishes an occasion.
most fitting and most impressive, for
a review of the events and the men
whereby the primal period of our his
tory was grandly signalized.
The American Revolution was a po-
litical and military transaction where
in certain colonies, planted in America
by Englishmen, revolted; declared their
independence; made the revolt success
full by force Of arms, and established
for themselves new government.
Speaking from the standpoint of
lawyer, the movement must be desig-
mated as an insurrection-a rebellion.
and the colonists must be designated
as rebels.
"Disperse We rebels!' was the inso-
lent cry of Pitcairn, the British COM
mander. to the patriots when the in
itial skirmish of the Revolution began
at Lexington. In order to fasten dis
graceful stigma upon the movement,
the British government, by proclalna-
ton and enactment. constantly reiter-
ated the claim that the colonies We're
in state Of unlawful rebellion" The
success Of the patriot forces and the
subsequent glory of their government
and their descendants made term Of
ignominy term of honor. Well was
it that one of the foremost Americans
Thomas Jefferson-recorded the SEN
timent, Rebellion against tyrants is
obedience to God" Right reason did
Thomas Moore employ when he wrote:
rebellion, foul, dishonoring word,
Whose wrongful blight so oft hath
stained
The hottest cause that tongue or sword
OF Mortal ever lost or gained!
Full many Il hero, born to bless,
Hath sunk beneath that whitening
name.
Whom but a days, an hours success,
Had waited to eternal fame"
The successful revolution evolves the
glorifled rebel.
In the scene representing the death
of Julius Caesar, as portrayed in the
great Shakespearean (or Baconian)
tragedy, Cassius is made to say:
"How many ages hence
Shall this our lofty scene be acted over
In states unborn, and accents yet un-
known!
| $50 oft as that shall be,
So often shall the knot of us be called
The men that gave their country lib
erty."
Thus might well have spoken the