principles that should govern the new people.

On the fourth day of July, two days after the passage of the resolution, that stately paper known as the Declaration of Independence was presented in Congress assembled, signed by the immortal "Fifty-six," then given to the American colonies and to the world as the heartfelt embodiment of the principles of human liberty. To-day America is a Republic, to-day we are a free people, to-day we rejoice in personal rights and personal liberty established by law and in the sovereignty of the people; to day in city and town and village and hamlet, on hillside and in the valley, on the lakes and on the rivers, from one extremity of the land to the other, is heard the sound of celebration, while Europe and Asia and Africa and the Isles of the sea have been pausing in their national interests a little to listen to the sweet notes of human liberty echoing over the intervening waters. Today we seem to hear the peal of that venerable old bell that rang out the first salute to freedom on the FOURTH OF JULY, 1776. We are gathered here to commemorate the birth day of human liber. ty. The FOURTH OF JULY has become the most noted anniversary in the secular annals of mankind. At the time it was discussed and given to the world, the DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE was looked upon as a most important transaction in the events of human history. For a hundred and twenty years it has held its place in the hearts and judgment of the people. And so long as human institutions hold their place in human interests, so long will this

document hold an exalted position in the estimation of the world.

Why is this? Why is a great nation pointing to that paper today as the richest legacy in the national archives of American history? Why do we look upon it as almost sacred? Why do 70,000,000 of people celebrate the anniversary of its adoption and rejoice in glad triumph through all the land from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the St. Lawrence to the Rio Grande? The answer does not lie in any superficial show or outward attraction. It was not in the magnificence of the place in which it was born.-That was in the midst of a city of perhaps 30,000 inhabitants, and in a plain unpretentious room in the lower part of what was then the State house. It was not in the pomp and display of the men who gave that paper to the world. It is a strange coincidence that of the proceedings of congress and of the debate on that day or which the Colonies were declared to be free and independent States, no record has been preserved. Imagination, supplied with a few hints, is left alone to picture the scene. In consequence of his eloquence on that day John Adams seems to have "startled and amazed even those who were best

acquainted with his powers." One of his colaborers called him the "Atlas of Independence" and Mr. Jefferson said of his speech-"It moved the members from their seats."

Thus except for some grand principle which refused to die and which oblivion could not bury, that day of which Mr. Adams speaks in such exalted terms, would have been loss to history. No more

was it mirth, pomp or parade that ushered this festal day of our nation into existence. There was no time or disposition for mirth or display when the young Virginia lawyer presented to the assembly the paper he had been appointed and instructed to prepare, giving reasons for the resolu tions which had been adopted two days before.

Look in upon that assembly if you will. There are sad countenances in that room. Earnest, solemn hearts and thoughtful souls, after searching deliberation, and here and there a little revision, order the adoption of the document. Every member of that assembly is aware with Mr. Adams of the toil and blood and treasure it is to cost to maintain that Declaration. They are all aware that their property, their homes, their lives, their all of earth is in peril. They sign that paper, not for popular applause but as the representatives of three millions of down trodden yet liberty loving souls who have chosen them to devise plans for securing civil and religious liberty. They are acting not for themselves nor their age alone, but for humanity, for posterity and for God. Nay, my friends, it is not noise or pomp or display that originated and has given permanence and growing interest in the IMMORTAL DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. Great, heaven born and eternal principles are embodied in it. It is the Title Deed of our National inheritance, the guarantee of personal rights and of civil and religious liberty.

To us, the fortunate heirs of this rich inheritance,