July 4.
Americans to-day celebrate, amid the congratulations of their friends, the 160th anniversary of the Declaration which formally established 'a new people and a new World State. The process was more gradual than the tale of years suggests, Actually it had. begun to take shape as far back as 1623 when in Virginia the rule of the chartered company was replaced by the early form of the colonial constitution which eventually became 'a sealed' pattern throughout the British Empire. In other words the spirit of independence was unconsciously developing as those pioneer communities on the other side of the Atlantic grew and took on their shoulders the responsibiliflee of administration. In 1770—pluribus unum—when the Union of States was formed, the traditions thus created were of great value. The American who was born then was in effect combatting the realist modernism of, European England and setting up against it. the Elizabethan ideals and loyalties which had proved so vivid and vigorous in founding the New England in the West. Though the Declaration itself is only sixteen decades old, the nation for whom It speaks may fairly claim an ex-Istence of at least two and a half centuries. It has been said that, although the American nation is absorbing new blood from overseas, the modern American is far nearer to his Elizabethan or Carolian ancestor than is the modern Engishman or Frenchman of Europe. And everyone knows that there are many signs, in thought, language and culture to support this view. It comes usefully as a corrective to that other picture of America: the restless, iconoclastic democracy.
An anniversary demands tribute to historical associations, but it would be ungracious to leave the matter there. The contribution made by the United States of America to the world and to the Civilization from which it took its iso deserves full recognition. All European nations can join in ac~ claiming the distinctive traditions and aspirations which, from their Jown stock, have found root so rapidly in the New World. Realiz~ Ing, as they must do to-day even more humbly than of old, how de~ fective have been their own institutions in preserving true principles of liberty and equity, they are thankful that in more sheltered conditions, an effort can be made to build on the same foundations with experience ready to hand. Success will not come rapidly and the new model is bound to.display unexpected weaknesses for which even experience may not' be prepared. Nor is it possible for the most sheltered nation in this interdependent world to progress toward the goal of its desire without being affected by the failures or triumphs of others. America's spirit and position of detachment fare useful to the world' and safeguards to her. They cannot be fealled upon to bear the strain of fan absolute isolation. So although Washington's famous warning against "permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world" is as valid to-day as when it was frst given in 1796, the United States by the sheer force of world-conditions is bound to assume the responsibilities of leadership and therefore, in whatever modified form best suits the genius of the American people, of comradeship in the task of reconstruction, or in plainer terms, preservation of civilized mankind.
To-day in the United States politics are put aside. For the time being, the shadow of the coming Presidential Election is forgotten, All rally round the personality of President Franklin Roosevelt, who pre-eminently represents the nation of which he is the titular head. Dimicuities, threatening discrat times, have confronted the country in the last few years. The rest of the world has watched with sympathy and admiration the spirit in which the crisis has been met. Signs of a real improvement in trade and economic conditions generally are being soberly reported by responsible observers. It is even hoped that they reflect better times for the world as a whole. So on this day the celebrations of the Fourth of July can well carry Greater cheerfulness than on any such day during the last five years. In Shanghai the event will be marked as usual by the proper distribution of the energies of the American community among all forms of recreation, including, generous hospitality to its friends, European and Oriental. In offering Jappropriate good wishes expression is given to the hope that the great Republic and its people will always command the smiles which fortune specially reserves for those who play the game of high adventure the right spirit of chivalry and courage.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.