Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 10.djvu/99

 CURTIS

of slavery to the subject-class, whether white or black, and the natural alienation of the master- class, which alone has political knowledge and experience, with all the secret conspiracies, the reckless corruption, the political knavery, spring- ing naturally from such a situation, and ending often in menacing disorder that seems to invite the military interference and supervision of the government — all this accumulation of difficulty and danger lays a strain along the very fiber of free institutions.

These are some of the more obvious changes in the conditions under which the Republic is to be maintained. I mention them merely; but every wise patriot sees and ponders them. Does he therefore despond ? Heaven forbid ! When was there ever an auspicious day for humanity that was not one of doubt and of conflict? The robust moral manhood of America confronts the future with steadfast faith and indomitable will, raising the old battle-cry of the race for larger liberty and surer law. It sees clouds, indeed, as Sam Adams saw them when this day dawned. But with him it sees through and through them, and with him thanks God for the glorious morn- ing. There is, indeed, a fashion of skepticism of American principles even among some Ameri- cans, but it is one of the oldest and worst fashions in our history. There is a cynicism which fondly fancies that in its beginning the American Republic moved proudly toward the future with all the splendid assurances of the 73

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