New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-05
HERITAGE OF LIBERTY
TRIBUTE TO SIGNERS.
Coz, Hughes on the Immortal Dec
laration-Dr. Witson 4Lso Speak&.

OF Princeton University were the orators Of the
day az The joint Independence Day celebration
and first annual reunion of the IlneaI de-
scendants of tie slsners Of the Declaration of
Independence at the jamestown exposition to-
day. The descendants reunion was held under
the auspices Of the Thomas jefferson Memorial
Association. Of which Hilary A Herbert former
Secretary Of the Navy, is the acting president.
A military parade reviewed by Governor
Hughes and Others. preceded the formal exer-
cises Of the day. which opened with the singing
Of America b. chorus of several hundred
school children and music by the Mexican Ma
tonal Band
Former Governor Roberts of Connecticut
vfCe-p president Of the Thomas jefferson Memorial
Association presided and spoke briefly. fol-
lowed by the reading by William Shields Nc
hean. Of New Jersey, founder and secretary Of
the memorial association, OF the list Of vice
presidents representing the thirteen original
states and named by the respective Governors
OF these states
President Tucker of the Exposition Company
delivered an address of welcome The Declara-
lion Of Independence was read by Hollins n
Randolph, OF Atlanta. a great-great- great
grandson Of Thomas jefferson The singing Of
Columbia and other patriotic songs by the
chorus of school children preceded the addresses
Of Governor Hughes and DR.. Wilson. The Star
Spangied Banner" rendered by the school chill
dren closed the formal exercises of the day.
TRUE THEORY OF GOVERNMENT.
In his speech Governor Hughes said:
we hold these truths TO be self-evident. that all
men are created equal: that they are endowed by
their creator with certain ;nalienabe rights: that
among these are life: liberty and the pursuit Of
happiness; that secure these rights governments
are instituted among men deriving their inst now
ers from the consent of the governed. "-Declara-
zion Of Independence
Tho immortal words Of the urcan,blo of the
Declaration OF Independence recorded more than q
protest against eKactions Of the British Crown
They We're more than al assertion of the right OF
me 'oloIhes 10 De independent states They passed
beyond the necessities of the moment and tran
scended perhaps in their broad import the senti-
meilt OF many who. eNasperated by tyrannica de-
mands were ready 10 renounce their former al
legiance. They have the perennial value of a
political creed voicing IN terms OF conviction the
aspirations Of humanity They suggest to US the
long struggle against the usurpatons Of power and
the impOsitions Of aYarice and cunning They hay.
been ridiculed fallacious; they have sustained
the assault Of those who. descanting upon obvious
physical. mental and moral inequalities. have
before the law and the inalienabe rights of
hood. To-day. as always. they present 10 US the
standard by which may judge the successful
working OF our institutions And gathered upon
this historic spot in the commonwealth which
nurtured him. we may fttingly pay our tribute 10
the author OF these words, in the language OF Lin
coin: An honor 10 Jefferson-to the who in
the concrete pressure OF national struggle for in
dependence by single people had the GOODNESS.
foresight and sagacity 70 introduce into a merely
revolutionary document abstract truth applca-
bic 10 all men and all time. and so eInbalmed il
there that to-day and in all coming days it shall
be q rebuke and stumbling block the very har-
hingers Of reappearing tyranny and oppression
MEN AND GOVERNMENT
The attitude OF men toward government by the
people IS not determined by party lines. The
who would ignore the rights of his fellow citizens
who would establish himself in a fortress Of
special privilege and exercise his power. small or
great. IN opposition to the welfare OF others may
be- found IN all parties and in every walk Of life
II is attitude sometimes explained by training
and environment. but in general merely exhibits
the rule q selfshness. There many who have
sympathy with the principles Of the Declaration
and VINO look with alarm upon every emphatic
assertion Of popular rights. There many others
who viii Join in appeal TO democratic principles
when It serves self-interest but are ready to use
every vantage point that may be gained in the
struggle for existence 70 deprive their fellows Of
equal opportunity. But we may be assured that
the progress Of the people viii be halted. The
long with divine right" with usurped
power however obtained against every attempt
under any form To control and exploit the many
FOR the benefit II the Few, have but result.
Slowly and surely the people have won their way.
and no final settlement will be reached until the
administration Of government squares with the
principles OF the Declaration and end has been
put 10 every conversion OF governmental powers
20 selfish purposes.
MARVELLOUS NATIONAL PROGRESS.
We may properly congratulate ourselves upon
the marvellous record Of the nations progress
With resistess energy, the vast domain between
the oceans has been developed and its Temotest
parts have been knit together by mutual needs
and the multifarious activities Of ever increas-
Ing commerce The skill or n people Ilcil IN
invention. endowed with boundless ambition and
capacity for organization has made available
natural wealth and has made our Industrial
achievements the marvel OF mankind. Our develop
Ineut has intensified the sentiment Of national
unity. and despite wide extent OF territory
and Notwithstanding the many differences exhibited
in population people united not
merely IN form by convention, but in interest
and sentiment An unparalleled prosperity has
blessed our efforts. And never has the shOne
upon industrious and happy people, enjoy
opportunities than those who gather to-day under
the Stars and Stripes TO commemorate the birth Of
American liberty.
VIRGINIA MOTHER OF STATESMEN.
Once more we extol the herosm and statesman
shin Of those who laid the foundations Of the Re
public but dily conscious Of its destiny. We bless
under which they nurtured. We come in a
reyerential spirit TO the Old Dominion the mother
Of statesmen, where within the space Of a few
years were given 10 the world George Washington
Patrick Henry. Thomas Jefferson. Edmund RAN
dolph James Madison John Marshall and James
Monroe But we would draw little inspiration from
their lives ana from the fascinating record Of those
formative days if gave ourselves over TO mere
1ubation a progressive people. We are
loval TO our ideals We refuse to be content with
mere material achievements. Nor are we shtished
with cornparison with other nations or with earlier
tines We dagre that this nation shall realize It's
highest possibilities We contemplate the future
with serious determination and solemn sense OF
obligation
The lesson Of to-day Is that every patriotic
American should look upon his countrys history
and destiny in the light Of the principles OF the
Declaration OF independence and with sincere sym
pathy with democratic ideals Instead Of looking
eEiance every expression Of determination 10