Volume 18 , Issue 26

1888 - Liberty by J. Reynolds McKee

Soon we shall celebrate our nation's birthday, the day when on the Fourth of July, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, the Continental Congress declared with no uncertain voice through the Declaration of Independence that America as free.

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By this document the alliance to Great Britain was broken, the colonists were made a noble band of freeman, fighting for their nation, one which has by this time become only second in power as compared with all the nations of the globe. The State House bell is, in one sense, now silent, yet it can still be heard fulfilling its scared message, "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land, unto all the inhabitants thereof," for the great principle of the Declaration is not forgotten in the days of America's posterity, the oppressed of all nations finding here a refuge from their oppressors.

Liberty, sanctioned by God, treasured by man - men will cheerful die to obtain and sustain this much loved blessing. To prove this we need not retrace our history further than the civil war. The me of the nation pressed forward to battle, gallantly to struggle for their home and liberty. North and South, the opposing parties in the war referred to are now reconciled, and the hands of the veterans of either side are now clasped in friendship on the same ground that twenty-five years ago was the scene of a deadly conflict in which they participated.

We, the inheritors of liberty, must not abuse our privileges. WE must have respect for the rights and opinions of our neighbors as well as our own. Let liberty, not license, be our watchword.

The school boys of America will soon be the supporters of America and American institutions. If, in future years, some rude foe, either within this country or without, shall attempt to break down those principles which were held so precious by those who have upheld the honor of our flag and nation, let us be up, alert and crush their traitorous attempts to the very ground. Never be alarmed at the odds against us, for its those sentinels of our country's rights, the signers of our birthright of liberty, had yielded to the claims of her seemingly powerful oppressors how different the result would have been.

Keep the teachings of those livers of liberty as Washington, Webster, Lincoln and Garfield every before us if we would have the work carried on, that great work for liberty, which they so nobly and faithfully sustained. We also must remember the God in whom are forefathers foo fully trusted. That great safeguard of liberty, the free public school system, must never be abused, for without culture and education where is liberty? When we are celebrating Independence Day let us remember its origin and join heart and voice in the national anthem, God save our native land.
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