The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1904-06-30
i77e FOURTH OF JULY 1904

ITO FOOnI n Or SSS'
A century, two score and eight
years ago our fathers launched upon
the great ocean of human events a
new nation, republic, launched 1t
as precarious experiment to test
the theory as to whether men could
safely govern themselves in contra
diction to the ancient, century
grown, moss covered idea that the
average man possessed so low an
order of intelligence that he must
have a master to rule and reign
over him: that It was Jehovah's
will that the countless multitudes
were created to bow down to king
"Who could do no wrong" A
sovereign who had the divine right
to hold the lives, the destinies, and
the possessions of his fellow men
in the hollow of his hand. As a
foundation of this experiment those
magnificent men of revolutionary
times proclaimed a new political
gospel, owe hold it to be self
evident truth that all men were
created equal" A political gospel
as startlingly new and grand as was
the new doctrine of christianity
proclaimed by the Son OF Man
when on the mountain side he
supplanted the creed of vengeance,
that had been the religion of man
kind from the dawn of creations
morning, by proclaiming to his
wondering disciples as they sat in
respectful reverence at his feet, ga
new doctrine I give unto you. that
ye love one another"
The success of this new govern.
mental experiment, based on the
equality of man, has only been
paralleled by the new dispensation
of Christ's gospel based on univer-
sal love, and these two heaven born
principles-man's equality politi-
cally, and mans love for his maker
and his fellow man-side by side,
shoulder to shoulder are marching
forward to subdue the world and
eventually will subdue and govern
the world in the two great
,lesst- eials of human happiness,
religion and civil government. 1t
must be SO for God has spoken it,
and to doubt it would be to doubt
Gods wisdom, Gods power and
Gods love.
On Monday next, all Americans,
who love their country and their
flag, wherever they find themselves,
in company with all lovers of the
rights of men, will celebrate the III
ception, the Inauguration of the
first official declaration of this
doctrine of mans equality before
the law, and it is a question,
much discussed, in recent times,
how this momentous event should
be properly celebrated. There are
timid, womanish citizens who
would fain make it purely intel:
lectual and literary affair, lest SEN
sitive nerves be shocked with undue
noise, careless fingers be burned or
holiday garments be rent. Many
Others who bow at Mammon's shrine
deplore the expense of futtering
flags, rafting irc-crackers, and
blazing sky rockets.
Yet it should be remembered that
our liberties were born out of the
womb of war, fondled in the arms
of Mars and waxed strong and
vigorous amid the thunders of
battle.
On July third, many years ago,
the writer held the hand of dying
soldier of two wars. One who had
CALAMITY followed the flag over the
sun scorched plains of the ancient
Montezumas and under Grant he
had laughed in the face of Death in
the Wilderness. The air of the
sick chamber was sitting with the
hot breath of the Death Angel.
Faint and fainter grew the veterans
feeting breath, weak and weaker
grew his fever throbbing pulse,
slow and yet slower came his falter-
ing heart beats. Suddenly he
raised his head. sit must be near
the FOURTH" he said, 81 want to
hear the boys start celebrating be-
fore / CO.,
just then the minute hand of the
clock met and kissed the hour hand
greeting at the mystic hour Of mid
night. A small boy clad in his
night gown and enthusiasm, stole
forth and sat off u oounla &c