Evening star., 1934-07-04

Member Of the associated Press.
Independence.

me ceIeDT9 lion OF aD anniversary
NJ the first publication of the Dec
lararion NJ Independence is an event
he whole population of the United
states. But the occasion should be
Nne of redediCstion as well as COM
memora tiOn. The ideals of democ-
racv and ,eif-government enunciaIed
N the great charter of American free
rom we're not finally and concluSively
attained by their PRONUNCIATION, end
thoughtful citizens realize that they
must be fought for today even as
they we're in l776. The Fourth of
July. therefore. has practical sig
niicance which nothing should be
permitted 70 obscure.
Independence from the tyranny OF
the British crown was a necessary
step in the development of civilina-
tion in ne Western Hemisphere, but
as ViScount Bryce once wisely said.
there are other powers beside those
of kings which may threaten liberty"
and il is against those forces that
an unremirring warfare must be con-
Quoted o. people jealous for
equality and Justice.
Both George Washington and
Thomas Jefferson we're aware of the
danger. They knew he responsible
itiAs ri republicanism, and with a
genius unparalleled in the chronicle
Of the human race they StrOVe 10
awaken a social conscience in the
were mol in vain was made manifest
when the Government they mad
founded Vss victorious in a second
struggle with Great Britain and when,
EtiIl later. it survived the Civil War,
Ru rneir heirs nave a duty in every
Wa' as compelling sS their own. No
American who bresrhes is exempt
from fhe obligation 10 maintain the
rames to which they gave form and
substance in the Revolutionary era.
A glance at the present scene will
suffice % show The work which re-
rreInr ne onrtornn-d Nations!
-'vanl.r and M dis"'c,ls ny pro
mote a. ~antpeut in ne csr'n. Hls-
"us il cnurmon. c,.r'IlrIo Nln"Ir
r,l'our 90 sr'v am class nar'l--n-
t-nn ~nresran "r-ry n"me- piSsal''-
igAoIA4ICs and cIIms add TO Jne pllGan
~ millions. II is, as II. G. wells de-
clares, an age Of confusion. And no
Individual can escape the influences OF
his environment or mis- time. such
empty independence as comes through
attempted fight from reality is a
dsluSion and snare.
But the case is not hopeless On
tne contrary, there are many rea sons
for optimism. The effects of centuries
NJ education are apparent IN The
growth Of an informed public opinion
a2ains, which no selfish vested in
:erest long can stand. knowledge of
he paSr. conveyed from one genera
tinn 10 another through channels of
culture. guarantees the safetv nf the
future The race. slowly perha ps out
surely. is learning to cooperate. and
the fellowship of man certainly will
have EXPRESSION in triumph over cir
rumsta nee.
Here in Washington. as il happens.
tnere Is laboratory in which new
type Of civic spirit is being created
nisenfrs nchised as they are. the
people of The District OF Columbia
have organized in citizens ssSocia-
lions where common problems have
common consideration. Their goal
is an indie pendence which will be an
endowment of community freedom
based on community responsibility.
end their attainment of that goal
NAV he delayed bul not prevented.
The world at large one day will learn
the same lesson and providentielIy
achieve the same laurels.