The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-07-05


Judge Colt was applaudsd frequently
during his delivery of the oration. and
at the conclusion was rendered an ovation.
His address was as follows:
Mr. Mayor and fellow citizens: on the
Fourth OF July. 1879. our fathers ceased
70 he colonists of Britain. ard became an
Independent people. on that day the rep
resentatves Of the United States OF
America in general congress assembled
at the city Of Philadelphia. declared that
the l3 united colonies possessed "full
power 10 levy war conclude peace. con
tract alliances. establish commerce. and
10 do all other acts and things which in
dependent states may Of right do.
on that day. upon a new continent. and
upon a magnitude hitherto unknown was
begun. in the words Of Bryce the most
remarkable experiment in government
the world has yet Witnessed"
The history OF mankind for 1000 years
pointed against the success ~ the expert
ment The teachings Of philosophers and
statesmen OF all ages foretold its failure.
Many OF our own great leaders were dis
tru tful of the result.
WHAT WOULD SIGNERs SAY.
have passed since that cventful scene in
Independence hall and 10! we now behold
as the outcome OF this experiment. the
fairest picture Of government which ever
met the eve OF man. Oh that the great
patriots Of this storm centre Of revolution
might look down upon this scene, Would
that the heroic hand who signed the Dec
aration might gaze upon their country
today Would that all the great founders
OF the republic might behold this United
States Of America on this Fourth OF July.
1905.
Imagine the transports OF enthusiasm
OF John Adams. as. through the rays Of
ravishng light and glory" he finds his
prophecy fulfilled thousand fold, Pic
ture to yourselves the thoughts OF otis
that flame Of fire. in whom "lndepen-
dence was born"-as ne perceives the
liberties" which the people here enjoy!
Call 10 your minds, he looks upon
this wonderful progress OF American free
dom. the Joyous emotions OF that pro-
scribed and nhexible patriot and states
man. Samuel Adams. whom no fear Of
death eeHid induce Ito abandon the right
eous cause OF his country" Think Of the
exaltation OF John Hancock. could he
look down upon us in this hour-he who
put the question. Shall the Declaration
be adopted" and who. at the risk OF life
and fortune. affixed his imperishable sig
nature TO that Charter Of Liberty.
tU. S. SOLVED PROBLEM
On this anniversary or the nations
birth we may we'll ask ourselves what Is
the cause OF all this-wnat is the eX-
PLANTATION OF this American phenomenon
In government whish has so astonished
the world and upset all the teachings and
predictions OF European thinkers and
statesmen?
States In a manner and upon scale
hitherto unknown. has solved this prob
lem OF government-thc most difficult and
complex OF all human problems. and vet
the most momentous. since upon the In
stitutions or a country depend the we'll
being. and happiness OF the people?
There must be some explanation. some
underlying cause Two powerful nations.
one in the Old World and the other in the
New, occupying immense tracts OF terri
tory, started together more than a cen
tury ago 10 solve. upon vast scale. the
problem OF government. Why has Rus
sia failed and America succeeded? Has
this country discovered -r~w-brand OF
government we'll as or diplomacy?
The solution OF this problem becomes
the more remarkable when We reflect that
the United States has apparently disre-
garded in the structure OF its govern
ment every previously recognized canon
OF stability and unity
II has ignored the strength and per.
aonal loyalty OF monarchy, the wisdom
and conservatism Of aristocracv
II has not depended upon the superior
knowledge. experience and leisure OF any
class. At has taken. historically speak
ing. the two weakest forms OF govern
ment. and created the strongest political
organization in the history Of mankind
Philosophers have ever told US that n
democracy is tickle. short-lived. and gen
orally corrupt and tyrannical. They have
also said that a federal union, from It's
inherent nature, is the most complex.
delicate. and unstable form OF govern
ment known.
Disregarding all these admonitions. the
American people have adopted both these
political systems
Here exhibited I'm its purest form.
compatible with the representative Sys-
tenn. democracy. n government by tho
people. self-government Here also Is
exhibited n federal union In its most per-
feet form and upon n vast magnitude.
PRoPHEsIED DOWNFALL
During tho past century the map ~
Europe has changed. Dynasties have
been overthrown: new governments have
arisen. There Is no European country nt
the present time in which there does not
evist an organized party IN favor % n
change In the form ~ tho government. or
In some of its organic features
What Is the uotent cause which has
maintained unimpaired American institu-
tions. and which has insfilled IN every
American his absolute. unquestioned faith
IN the government ~ his country md iu
her future hgh destiny
Whence has sprung that supreme trust
IN the American people which sustained
washington through the doubt ard gloom
OF the Revolution. and which upheld and