The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1910-07-08
THE CONSTITUTION And
MODERN CONDITIONS
Or alton of Rev, r. K. Cookingham of the M. E.
Church Delivered In Cubertson the
Fourth of July, 1910

avenue where turks approaching danger.
On Dec, 21st r6zo the weather beaten
Mayfower discharged her cargo Of valu-
ables II Plymouth. her bill Of lading did
not consist Of the products Of the soil. nor
the wealth Of mines. the riches OF the
worlds markets. yet it was richer by far
than the gold Of ophir" or Kiondike.
more valuable than the gems Of India or
Kimberly. Wrapped up in the breasts Of
the one hundred and two passengers were
her valuables and liberty" the holy trade
mark of God was the label they bore.
Those Pilgrim Fathers came to this
country. bringing with them two great
thoughts. civil liberty and religious free
dom. Driven out of England for conscience
sake they drew up in the cabin Of the May
flower that immortal compact. The same
desire for civil liberty came with the Hugue-
nots Of Carolina the Hollanders Of New
York the Quakers Of Pennsylvania and the
Scotch Irish Of Maryland.
Our land was settled by freedom loving
men and women. God is still watching over
his own. his hand is as truly in the history
Of America as He was in the history Of
Israel long ago.
The founders Of the little colony at
Plymouth builded better than they knew
They were not crusaders for conquest Of
holy place. They were not pilgrims to a
sacred shrine. They had no idea that they
we're planting principals tina, would revolu-
tionize human government. yet they did
this and more.-~they stamped their own
staiwart characters upon the life OF the
nation they founded. They believed in.
and taught and lived out the cardinal
principals Of all human greatness, namely.
intelligence. freedom, truth and justice.
| These were woven into the warp and
wool of every fabric of their lives both
private and public. Later they became the
foundation stones of this great Reptile.
Their characters produced corresponding
national characteristics which have
wrought revolutions in the worlds ideas nj
civil government. and upheavals in the
conditions of nations. They have pro-
duced changes in the world understandings
OF citizenship. altered the geography OF the
earth, and caused the currents OF history
to turn aside and cut for themselves new
channels never before known to man.
They have shattered to fragments the an.
cient mythical error 1.-The divine right OF
kings" and have convinced the wondering
world that the doctrines of human rights
and personal liberty are living forces in
mans upbuilding.
These forces are the permeating leaver
of the ages that have revolntionized human
conditions and will eventually regenerats
the political and social life of man. The,
have been crystallzed into the Constitution
of the United States. They are the soul o.
Americas greatness and have been enthron
ed in the hearts Of her people. Washing
ton expressed this fact in his farewell ad
dress on retiring from the presidency O
the new Republic in these words. Inter
woven as is the love Of liberty with ever!
iinemen, Of your hearts. no recommends
ton of mine is necessary to fortify or cen
firm the attachment"
Here the Pilgrims planted a government
without Pope. nation without king
No moss grown superstitions. no ancien
usarpa,ions were to take root like tares il
the virgin soil among the wheat OF freedom
America was near enough to the OIL
, World to receive colonists. and far enoug
to prevent monarchical influences fror
controlling and making Americas histor
only discouraging repetition of Europe
sickly failures in Nationallife The Allan
. tic ocean was wide enough to permit th
. new nation TO grow into giant statehoo
: and NEE, the great responsibilities avail
. ing her.
The echoes Of the vibrating notes Of fres
dom were gathered up. and crys,alized II
:. to the Declaration Of Independence. Nv
: hold these truths to be self evident. that a
men are created equal. that they are endos
ed by their Creator with certain inailneab
rights. that among them are life. liberl
: and the pursuit Of happiness"
y Thus those hearts in which the pent Y
> fires of freedom. and the sense Of ofiende
= justice were smouldering. leaped forth il
" to flame, that startled the mother COUNT
and astonished the world.
In the tents Of peace and the crucible
= war America has proven to the world Il
= wisdom of her course. and the stability
;" the free foundations upon which she stand
Every loyal American is interested in q
> Independence that was declared on Ju
" 4th. I776.
" Every patriotic citizen honors the mel
ory Of those heroes who made possible 4
ID celebration of this National holiday. b
n every citizen needs to remember that etc
a. nal vigilence is the price Of liberty. al