The Colorado statesman., 1922-07-22


of our national existence upon
the bedrock of liberty. From that day
to this, liberty has been the common
bond of our united people. In 1875
the affairs of a new nation were set up
in the name of liberty, and the flag of
freedom unfurled before the nations of
the earth. In 1912, in the name of lib
erty, we barred our youthful might and
struck for the freedom of the seas.
Again, in '61, when the charter of the
nations birth was assailed, the sons of
liberty declared anew the principles of
their fathers and liberty became CO.
extensive with the Union. In '9S the
call once more was heard and freedom
became co-eXtensive with the hemi-
sphere. And as we stand in solemn
silence here today. there still comes
rumbling out of the east the slowly
dying echoes of the last great struggle
to make freedom co-extensive with the
seven seas. Freedom is the fe-blood
of the nation. Freedom is the heritage
bequeathed to all her sons. For all
who reflect upon the glory of our re-
public. freedom is the underlying phil
osophy of our national existence.
Conflict OF Two Great Forces.
But at the same time another influ-
ence was working within the nation
While the Mayflower was riding at
anchor preparing for her voyage from
Plymouth. another ship had already ar
rived at Jamestown. The first was to
bear the pioneers of freedom-freedom
of thought and freedom of conscience;
the latter had already borne the
pioneers of bondage, a bondage repres-
sive alike to body. mind. and spirit
Here, then, upon American soil, met,
within year, the two great forces
that were to shape the destiny of the
nation. They developed side by side
Freedom was the great compelling
force that dominated all, and, like
great and shining light beckoned the
oppressed of every nation to the hos
pitality of these shores. But slavery
like brittle thread. was woven year
by year into the fabric of the nations
life. They who for themselves sought
liberty and paid the price thereof in
precious blood and priceless treasure,
somehow still found it possible, while
defending it's eternal principles for
themselves, to withhold that same
precious boon from others.
And how shall we account for it. ex-
cept it be that in the providence of God
the black race in America was thrust
across the path of the onward-march-
ing white race to demonstrate, not only
for America, but for the world. whether
the principles of freedom are of univer-
sal application, and ultimately to ex-
tend its blessings to all mankind.
In the process of time. was newt
able, these great forces-the forces of
liberty and the forces of bondage-met
in open conflict upon the field of battle.
And how strange it is. through the
same overruling providence, that child
rem of those who bought and sold their
fellows into bondage should be among
those who cast aside ties of language
of race, of religion, and even of kim
ship in order that people, not of their
own race nor of their own creed or
color but sharing a common humanity
should have the same measure of lib
erty and freedom which they them
selves enjoyed
Freedoms Costly Sacrifice.
What a costly sacrifice upon the
altar of freedom! How costly the world
can never know nor justly estimate.
The flower of the nations manhood
and the accumulated treasure of two
hundred and fifty years of unremitting
toll were offered up; and at length.
when the bitter strife was over, when
the marshalled hosts on both sides had
turned again to broken, desolated fire.
sides. a cruel fate. unsatisfied with the
awful toll of four long years of car
mage, struck at the nations head and
brought to the dust the already wearied
frame of him whose patient fortitude.
whose unembittered charity. whose
never-failing trust in the guiding hand
of God had brought the nation, welter-
ing through sea of blood. yet one and
indivisible. to quietude and peace. On