The Holly chieftain., 1909-03-19

could be added or taken away
without detracting from it. The
language is clear and forceful. Its
form is above criticism. The
deep feeling and emotion suffused
thru it gives it a place above all
papers of its kind. For over a
hundred years it has been, read
in every corner of the United
States and its reading has been at
tended with reverent silence.
This fact alone is a proof of its
high literary excellence.
The Declaration of Independ-
ence fas of itself victory over
tie passions, prejudiccs. and fears
of the American colonists. 1t
drew line once for all, between
the friends and foes OF America.
He who was not for uncondition-
al independence was foe. 1t in
spired the soldier. The principle
for which he was fighting having
been put into words and official
ly declared, became a reality. 1t
sesered the seeming relationship
between our soldiers, and their
Lnglish brothers. 1t welded the
colonies into a fir munion. In the
exultation which followed its
adoption mot murmur of disap-
proval was heard. Altho the
days following its adoption are
not the brightest in our history,
John Adams said that freedom
was counter balance for the
poverty, war, and more"
British authority, SO far as it
could be done in the Forum, was
shattered. The sovereignty OF
Of the thirteen colonies passed
from the British crown to the
people, and to the people in thir-
teen distinct colonies. President
Monroe attributes our success in
the Revolution, in all eminent de
gree, to these two things. The
G lonists felt they had claimed a
PLACE among the world powers
and must conduct themselves ac-
cordingly. A formal assertion OF
their rights gave dignity anc
manhood to their cause. Foreign
POWERS looked upon them not as
children contending with par
ent for doubtful privileges but as
men contending for their natural
and indisputable rights
The Declaration of Independ-
ence was the model framework oi
a republic. No other form OF gov
ernment was consistent with its
principles. What the Magma
Charta is to the British govern
ment, the Declaration is to ours
Many of.its leading features are
reproduced in the constitution
Its spirit of federation, its prin-
ciples of equality and fraternity
characterize all our legislation.
Other nations have felt its in.
f1uence. The fact Of the Ameri-
cans declaring and then sustaining
their independence reacted on The
French and inspired them in theil
fight for liberty. 1t blazed pa,r
| for the Russians and the Turks
who are throwing off the yoke o
oppression. General Bollivel
used it as model for Venezuela.
| Declaration of Independence.
Because of the sentiment ex
pressed in the Declaration of In
dependence, America is the ''hom,
of the free" and to this countr,
!he people of the earth come
bringing wealth Of learning ane
culture from all quarters Of th,
globe. AS result of this mixet
population, America boasts a civ
r'aztlon unequaled by the oil
world.
Over a hundred years have fail
ed to reveal single defect in thi
paper. AS result every tru,
american reverences the name
ct the men who were so closel,
associated with the birth ant
growth OF Our nation. He look
with pride upon the work the,
achieved and resolves that TIL
1 government they bequeathed us
the government of the people. b,