The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-07-04
INDEPENDENCE DAY AGAIN.

dependence Day, has again rolle
around with the year. Its coming
not welcomed with the noise. confusion
slaughter and maimings of men an
boys that were such sickening accom-
paniments of the so-callcd "celebra
, ton OF the day IN years gone by; anf
yet there is little of that left, and th'
little is altogether too much. But TO
the most part. the people arc inclined
to observe the day soberly. sensibly
and quietly.
Inevitably on this day the reflective
mind will try to adjust present condl
tions with the conditions that might
have been expected by the Fathers OF
the Republic, under the institutions
that they transmitted to us. And sc
comparing what was, founded, frst
generally, in the Declaration of lnde'
pendence. and next. concretely and
specifically, in the Federal CoDstltu'
tion, we may draw conclusion be-
tween what was reasonable and practl-
cally TO be expected at that time, and
what we actually have in the form OF
popular government, regulated by law,
and adjusted to the principles of the
Constitution.
| Speaking generally therefore, we can
truly say that nothing has been lost I;
that the principles of the Constitution
are in full force and effect; and that
legislation has, in general. been directed
along popular lines in conformity with
the principles Of freedom and justice
which led the Fathers OF the Republic
to formulate constitution and start
the Republic on its grand career Of
development, progress, and magical
growth, until it is now the leading
power of the world
In some particulars we may fairly
say that the public activities Of the
Government in the way of legislation.
have not kept pace with the progress
of the people. The business develop
ment OF the country has been beyond
all precedent, and is far In excess of
any possible expectation. Our busi-
ness has outrun our legislation, and has
grown the limitations OF the law. The
law has tried hard 10 catch up, and the
courts are undertaking to adjust the
new conditions TO the old principles,
without much practical success thus
far; but we need not despair, for we are
an adaptable, ingenious people. and
will make all fit right In time,
The Fathers OF the Republic gave
us the grandest framework of a gov
ernment that was ever established
among mankind. 1t will be for US Of
the present generation, and Of the gen
erntions to come. to adjust conditions
as they come up, to that framework,
aud possibly, in special points to re-
adjust that framework to the needs OF
the time. Fifteen amendments have
been made TO the Constitution. We
are now attempting to add two more,
one making the income tax feature,
the other allowing of the popular cleo
tion for U. S. Senators. Another is
which Will give the President
a six-year term and will prevent his
reelection. But one term for Presi-
dent will be possible when that amend
ment is adopted, as we believe it will
be; for it is expressly Endorsed in the
Democratic platform, and the Repub
licans have had such lesson against
the third term this year as frightened
them dismally; and so it would seem
as though it would not be difficult to
have this limitation put in the Consti-
tuition.
Our Government. therefore. being
substantially as founded, carrying the
utmost liberty to the individual, and
securing the rights Of the people in
all respects, we can look back with
upon the progress Of the
Republic, and we can forecast with an
optimism that is practical and assured,
the further development Of the United
States, on the lines of the Constitution,
adjusted to changing conditions, and
under legislation which will confirm
to all the people the rights, liberties
and freedom of action which they have
enjoyed heretofore, and such further
freedom and popular power as may be
possi BILE TO obtain and apply.
The Republic is greater than ever,
and il is on it's way to a greatness
hitherto unknown, and perhaps not
conceived of by the most optimistic
patriot. Its influence on the world is
great, and that influence is and al
ways has been, TO the betterment of
mankind and the oosening Of the
shackles which despotism has rivetcd
upon men.
The new flag. with forty-eight stars,
six rows of eight, will be flung to the
breeze this morning on all military
flsgstaffs. at the topmast of every
naval vessel of the Republic. aud on
every public building, testifving to the
admission of two new States, Arizona
and New Mexico. since last Independ
ence Day. And thus does the Nation
come into its full stature