The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-07-05
TIE VOICE OF A PROPHET

Some readers Of The lntellisencer
will remember the brilliant services
Henry Winter Davis rendered for the
Union in the dark days of the nation.
He was a Representative il Congress
rom Maryland. and was one of the
most forciful patriotic spirits OF his
lay. The perspicacity Of his mind
vas clear and prophetic in a work he
published in 1852 in which he fore
Swallowed just what is transpiring to-
Jay, with regard 10 the part the United
States was destined 10 play. Slxty-hve
wears after his words were penned.
Mr. Davis was reasoning out the fate
}! the future prcdicated on the unsuc-
cessful revolutionary movements OF
lS4S in Europe. which were looked
upon as a grave menace 10 free insti-
tutions in America. Louis Napoleon
had Just, settled himself on the throne
aI France. and MIR. Davis then advised
he opening OF negotiations with Great
Britain to preserve freedom for the
~orld. tIe argued:
THAT his power" (autocracrl must
rom necessity. on principle. and by
inclination. be devoted 70 the ruin OF
all free governments: that II is abso-
!u1elr inconsistent with the existence
Of the English monarchy ami the Amer
lean Republic as free popular repre-
sentative governments, and that they
will be compelled sooner or later. to
defend By force OF arms their freedom
and independence against rho In
" iriSues. the diplomacy. the legislation,
he hostiitirs Of the despotic powers
If Europe.
Mr.. Davis insisted then that the
only alternatives are war. in Europe
now, with allies-and war hereafter,
On our own soil. without allies The
latter alternative has, happily, been
nbyiated by the stand we have now
,aksa. These words might have been
written yesterday, II they had not been
penned over half century ago. They
IRE supremacy appropriate 10 condl'
Ions confronting us at this hour. Mr..
Davis in that early time sounded a
warning against Germany. He fore
saw the appalling struggle that was
10 come between democracy and auto.
cracy, and with what viridness he
pictured that which is transpirins to-
dav on the battlefields Of Europe. In
the concluding pages OF his work are
he following thrilling sentences:
whenever the trumpet shall sound
for that Judgment day. | look 10 see
the stars and stripes OF the Republic
the tri-color Of the Notwithstanding in
matchless splcndor over the banners
OF freedom. Her youthful maturity
has Eaxed strong by the blessings or
freedom--till now her power surpasses
that OF France when she followed Ma
poleon to Moscow. Her children bless
with grateful voices the God OF their
fathers who gave them liberty TO en-
Joy, 10 protect. to transmit. and to
spread They hail the day which sum-
mons them 10 the field. and cheerfully
recognize the duty they owe the world
they have aroused. BY thelr example
has Europe been walked out OF sleep:
at their voice have her sons Srasped
the sword and died the death Of the
free. on them has God conferred the
precious guardianship or the sacred
FIRE; and on them as on the priests Of
holy religion rests the high duty Of
it's propagation. They have lured man
from the quiet and safe repose in
natriarchal despotism to the knowledge
of his high destiny, and inspired him
Nth +ha resolution to enjoy its pre-