On the tough stock of a
race who through all change of circumstance was never without the
idea of political liberty, which is the animus of all liberty, it has
attracted the terms of daintier and gayer and subtler and more elegant
tongues. It is the powerful language of resistance--it is the dialect
of common sense. It is the speech of the proud and melancholy races,
and of all who aspire. It is the chosen tongue to express growth,
faith, self-esteem, freedom, justice, equality, friendliness,
amplitude, prudence, decision, and courage. It is the medium that
shall wellnigh express the inexpressible.
No great literature, nor any like style of behavior or oratory, or
social intercourse or household arrangements, or public institutions,
or the treatment by bosses of employ'd people, nor executive detail,
or detail of the army and navy, nor spirit of legislation or courts,
or police or tuition or architecture, or songs or amusements, can
long elude the jealous and passionate instinct of American standards.
Whether or no the sign appears from the mouths of the people, it
throbs a live interrogation in every freeman's and freewoman's heart,
after that which passes by, or this built to remain. Is it uniform
with my country? Are its disposals without ignominious distinctions?
Is it for the ever-growing communes of brothers and lovers, large,
well united, proud, beyond the old models, generous beyond all models?
Is it something grown fresh out of the fields, or drawn from the
sea for use to me to-day here? I know that what answers for me, an
American, in Texas, Ohio, Canada, must answer for any individual or
nation that serves for a part of my materials.
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