Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-07-01

many months before his death, when
the republic completed Its seventy
fifth year and the great orator entered
on his SEVENTEEN:
"This anniversary animates and
gladdens and unites all American
hearts. On other days of the year
we may be party men, indulging In
controversies more or less important
to the public good; we may have likes
and dislikes, and we may maintain our
political differences often with warm
end sometimes with angry feelings.
But today we are Americans all In all,
nothing but Americans. Ev-
cry mans heart swells within him
every mans port and bearing become
somewhat more proud and lofty as he
remembers that sevfnty-five years have
rolled away and that the great inherit
lance of liberty is still his-hls I'M
diminished and unimpaired, his In all
Its original glory, his to enjoy, his
to protect, and his to transmit to
future generations"
With Webster's rival orator, from
his own state, Edward Everett, they
can apostrophize the flag:
"Al hail to our glorious ensign
Courage to the heart and strength to
the hand, to which In all time 1t shall
be intrusted! May 1t ever wave In
honor, in unsullied glory and patriotic
hope on the dome of the capitol, on
the country's stronghold, on the en-
tented plain, on the wave-rocked top
mast Wherever on the earth's sur
face the eye of the American shall
behold 1t, may he have reason to bless
ii On whatever spot 1t is planted,
there may freedom have foothold,
humanity a brave champion and reli-
gion an altar! Though stained with
blood In a righteous cause, may 1t new
er In any cause be stained with shame
alike when Its gorgeous folds shall
wanton In lazy holiday triumphs on
the summer breeze and Its tattered
fragments be dlmly seen through the
clouds of war may 1t be the joy and
pride of the American heart First
raised In the cause Of right and liber-
ty, In that cause alone may 1t forever
spread out Its streaming blazonry to
the battle and the storm! Having
been borne VIGOROUSLY across the con-
tinent and on every sea, may virtue
and freedom and peace forever follow
where 1t leads the wayv'
With Henry Ward Beecher at
later date, they can stand beside the
graves Of their dead and take COM
fort from the truths that an enlarged
vision brings within their grasp:
"Oh, tell me not that they are dead
that generous, that airy army of
invisible heroes. They hover as
cloud Of witnesses above this nation.
Are they dead that yet speak louder
than we can speak, and more uni
yersal language2 Are they dead that
yet act? Are they dead that yet
move upon society and inspire the
people with nobler motives anu more
heroic patriotism? Ye that mourn, let
gladness mingle with your tears. He
was your son, but now he is the ma
TONS. He made your household
bright; now his example inspires a
thousand households. Dear to his
brothers and sisters, he is now brother
to every generous youth In the land
Before, he was narrowed, appropriated,
shut up to you. Now he is augmented,
set free and given to all. Before, he
was yours; he Is ours. He has died |
from the family that he might live
to the nation. Not one name shall be
forgotten or neglected; and 1t shall
by and by be confessed Of our modern |
heroes as 1t is of an ancient hero, that |
he did more for his country by his
death than by his whole life."
And they can proudly prophecy with
the eloquent Henry Armitt Brown,
whose death at thirty-four was so
great loss to the Philadelphia bar
Of a generation ago, In words which |
he used In a centennial grafton COM
memorative Of the assembling of the |
first Continental congress in .Carpen-
ter's hall:
1.-THE American Union has endured
/ hundred years Here on the thres-
hold Of the future the voice Of human
ty shall not plead to us In vain. There