Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1922-06-30
BACKWARD FORWARD.

One hundred and forty-siN years
ago on that date the Declaration Oh
Indcpendcncc WAS signed. In look
ing back over the span of one hun
Grcd and forty-SiX years. We may
lose sight of the fact that all the
people of the colonies were not tol
The Declaration of independence.
but were loyal to England. In TACT
ii Was not infrcqucnt Tor thc Eng
liSh generals TO be entertained IN
The homes Of those who were Loyal
30 England.
Some things stated tcrScly in The
Declaration Of Independence are
eve hold these truths TO be sell
evident. that all men are created
equal. that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalicn-
able rights, that among these are
life, liberty, and he pursuit of hap
pincSs; that TO secure these rights,
governments are instituted ;nounS
lncn deriving their just powers from
the consent of the governed
These fundamental principles after
anuch debate were adopted toSeth-
or with the rest of the Declaration
Of Independence, by the Continent
al Congress. The movement
was not without opposition; but
The far visioncd men OF that day
and time pressed forward and eS-
tablished our government. This
government for time was conduct
ed under the articles of Confedcra-
ton with Committee of Congress
as the executive head. This gov
cd failure and after several years
OF cNistancc under these provisions.
convention met in Philadelphia,
May 80, 1887 to revise the articles
of Confederation. The result was
an entirely new document--thc Con
Stitution of the United States OF
America. The purposes of the Con-
stitution are set out in its prcamablc
which is too often lost sight Of. 1t
is as follows: I'VE, the People Of
the United States, in order TO form
more perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic Tranquil
jty, prividc for the common defence
promote the general welfare, and
secure the blessings of liberty TO
ourselves and our poStcrity, do Or
for the United States of America"
These six provisions go to the
very bed rock foundation of our
government.
Since that day many changes have
taken place. Then practically every
community lived TO itself and was
capable of sustaining itself. Then
each state was jealous of the other
states. Then only few Of the male
white inhabitants of each state had
vote. Then matters of State were
comparatively simple. Today they
are complicated. Then there were
but thirteen States bOrdinS the AT
lanic ocean. Today we are fory-
eight States extending from the At
laniiC to the Pacific. Today there
is no community or section in the
United States capable of sustaining
itself. All parts of the country are
depending on some other part. We
are complicated. We, too, nave a
universal ballot, both men and wo-
men. We are the greatest, most uni
Versal and most comprehensive
government on earth or THAT has
ever existed.
We are a growth Of the funda-
mental principles, above set out,
laid down by the Fathers of Our
Country. To think of ii. is awe in.
spring. To carry these great prin-
ciplcS into effect is a task. We have
developed to a great nation. We
are Il great people. But we should
rot gloat over our greatness be
cause we are not perfect. We have
been mad and we are still mad.
Washington and Jefferson saw the
great need. They saw what would
take place. They new that the day
day would come when Il danger
point would be reached. Hence.
each Of these men issued warning
and urged that the pcoplc-thc great
masses of pcopIc-bc educated, in
tcllig"ntly educated. Call our gov
crnmcnt a republic or a representa-
tive democracy Gor there is no diff
fercnccD il can not be run accord
ing to the great principles Of our
Fathers mnlcSS We have an unSclfiSi,
intelligent people with the funda-
mental principles Of our institu-
lions imbcddcd into their lives. On
next Tuesday, July the 18th. our Ma
iion's birthday, we trust every man
and woman, girl and boy, will get
the Declaration of independence
and Constitution Of the United
States Uhcy may be found in most
school hiStoricS) and read them.
Then read them at least once every
month thereafter through out life.
If this is done and the habit should