The sun., 1918-07-04
The Changeless Paper.

We were two millions when King
who could scarcely speak the Ian
guage of his country and whose Eng
llshmen refused to volunteer to fight
us--set atlame the hatred Of the col.
onies by hiring the mercenaries Of
German princes to subdue America.
Nothing went further than this"
says JOHN FIsKE, "to enrage the
Americans and urge them forward to
declaration of independence.V
We are n hundred millions now.
The thirteen colonies are forty.eight
States. The Alleghanies, then west,
are east. The German King is re-
membered chiefly as one who was
q more moral than his wicked grand
father and less liberal than his profit
gate son; as one who begat fifteen
children and lost the richest land in
the world; as one who caused young
JEFFERSON to sit down In his room
In Market street, Philadelphia, and
labOrlously put on paper the most
important statement since Magma
Chnrta. Among other things to be
thankful for is the fairness of the
head of GEORGE III.
German princes sent twenty thou.
sand men here to put down Liberty.
To-day we have a million men in Eu-
rope to save Liberty, now imperilled
by German princes afflicted with
GEORGES own disease, royal preroga-
tive. AS many Americans nre in uni
form as there were inhabitants Of
the States on that day when JOHN
HANCOCK used more than his share Of
the historic ink.
Let us not think Of the Declaration
as one Of the fortuities Of Fate. It
was not. II any man believe that It
came of passing temper. Of accident,
let him read what JOHN ADAMS wrote
TO his wlfei
Yesterday the greatest question was
decided which ever was debated in
America, and a greater perhaps never
was or will be decided among men,
am apt to believe that It will
be celebrated by succeeding generations
as the great anniversary festival.
You will think me transported
with enthusiasm, but I am not---I am
we'll aware OF the toll and blood and
treasure that It will cost US to maintain
this Declaration. and support and de-
fend these States--yet through all the
gloom l can see the raves OF ravlshIng
Light and Glory. l can see that the end
Is more than worth all the means. And
that posterity will Triumph In that days
transactions. even although we should
rue it, which I trust in Cop we shall
not"
Let the doubter read what IRIS
TRAM DALTON wrote to GERRY:
I'VE are not to fear what man or "a
multitude can do. We have put on the
harness. and I trust it will not be put
Off until We see our land a land OF Sc
curity and freedom--the wonder of the
other hemisphere-the asylum OF all who
pant for delivery from bondage"
1t was not chance, but destiny. To-
day it is destiny again. The patriot
of to-day puts the question to him
self, as JOHN PAGE put 1t to JEFFEg-
son when he had read the Decara-
ton: DO you not think an Angel
rides in the Whirlwind and directs
this stOrm?'
The long years have not destroyed
particle of the spirit Of the
earnestly phrased announcement Of
mans right to be free. Change Il
number in WEBsTER's speech at Wash
ington. slxty-seven years ago to-day,
and it is q speech for the Fourth Of
July, 1918:
at was sealed IN blood. 1t has met
dangers. and overcome them; it has had
enemies. and conquered them; It has had
detractors. and abashed them all; Il has
had doubling friends. but II has cleared
all doubts away: and now. to-day,
raising its august form higher than the
clouds. twenty millions of people con-
template 1t with hallowed love, and the
world bebolds It and the consequences
that have followed from II with pro-
found admiration"
What the world would he IL it had
not been for the courage of the Sign
ers Is dark speculation. Perhaps the
readiest answer lies in a look at
those countries where, through the
force of the sword or the weakness Of
the peoples spirit, the hour OF lib
erty has not yet come. What the
Declaration has accomplished in other
lands than ours Is plain, Hardly a
nation to which Its phrases have
heea q guide but is In arms against