The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1909-07-01
INFLUENCE OF
THE DECLARATION.

While We celebrate on the 4th OF
each July the adoption OF the Declare.
ton Of Independence. we perhaps do
not reflect on tue ~stupendous influence
of that document on the world AZ a
whole. II n safe TO say that no po
lirtcsi paper in all history Las had 70
u~piversal or radical Az effect Not only
did tts PRONUNCIATION mark the begin
ning of the life OF our own nation and
not only was II the mother OF the
emancipation proclamation. but It's ad-
vOnt sta rted the wave Of democracy
and ljbsrty bow seen IN Every nation
% the earth. Surely Americans have
q right To " proud Of = document that
has literally ~inaugurated = new era OF
humanisy.
Although it would hardly be within
the truth to say that the Declaration
VI Indepsndeucs had wrought all the
marvellous political changes that have
swept tbs world bince July 4. l77d, II
wouid be entirely within the truth to
stats that II hiss been the greatest sin
gte influence and therefore has the
night 10 be considered the symbol OF
al the forces that have wrought these
changes. And what . transformation
II has beenl Then liberty was n 10
where. Now II ID everywhere. Then
England had sunk to we'll nigh her
lowest stage OF ~despotisn. France was
m~tNgoverned and hopeless. Germany
vas q conglomerAtion OF ipcboate
states. the Latin nations were In feudal
bOndnRe. Russia had scarcely emerged
from semibs rba rinm. all Of Asia was
~ abe had been for thousan ds Of years.
Afrtca and Australia were unknown.
and both North and south America
VEN covered with fringes OF colonies
and vast savage interiors. Today ev.
sgy hnd brDeath the sun hs= hee:
touched by the new life. the new
aspiration, the new freedom.
France was the irut 10 respond to
she call and with her own revolution
drove the democratic wedge fashioned
In America fsr into the heart Of Eu-
Fops. England. the very nation against
which the American Revolution had
Neen wagcd. was the mex to BE- moved
toward liberty by the new example,
her two defeats by this country shock.
ting her into sanity and her own think.
IN forcing her TO sdopt reform bills.
TO take up 4 liberal colonial policy and
10 bring about 4 real revolution. al
though = peaceable one. Germany.
h moving 20 meet II. Italy shook on
vhe fhraidom of centuries. united her
utate0 and Joined the ranks OF the
progressive nations. One after another
The states OF Europe either became re-
publies or constitutional rchies.
Even Russia could not escape the uni
vefNai wave Of democracy. Last OF
an Turkey faces toward the sunrise
and steps into the ranks Of freedom.
Poor Spain has tried several times TO
adopt prpubiicnnisni. hut the reaction
nry forces have been too strong and
have held her I'LL NIL Of her colonies
and most Of her ancient glory have
bern swept away.
Following the example OF the United
Btates. all the Americas threw 90 the
yoke and became republics.
Japan felt the new impulse. which Is
also awakening China and India. :
Routh Afr~a experienced Il. ms she
In her sfuhborn fight for free ,
aom. And Australasia. touched by II. |
has the most enlightened and progress 4,
governments In the world. Truly /,
he Declaration Of Independence has !,
lone Its work. and the story IL only !,
half told. II will not be completed '
Intii there In q world republic and lib i,
rrty comes to dwell among men for !
yver. A. C. SQUIERS. =