The Litchfield County post., 1826-07-04


 suits l; Tn short nation eminently happy and prosperous; every individual of whicl can devote himself to his appropriate du' ties" with none to modest or make hin afraid" But the consequences which fol. lowed from their own great example would have been worthy of more particular no. tice the principles of liberty flashed iron the western to the eastern continent, and finally redarted to its native hemisphere and here diffused far and wide its genial warmth, caused liberal institutions every where to spring up, and covered the con- tinent with free and independent govern mentS, having for their basis security to " the unailienable rights of mer." With what exultation, with what thrilling joy would they nave contemplated these scenes and the consequences which have resulted in oneshalf century from the principles ot 76; most of them, however, were destined to another fate, they were successively compelled to submit to the memorable law of our nature; but three of them have been reserved for posterity, to witness the present jubilee; as if it was the intention of providence that they should act as mes- sengers from the liUing to the dead to tes- tify the immeasurable gratitude which is now felt for the efforts of the authors of our national existence. Such are the suggestions which have oc- cured to the writer upon reading the dec- laration of independence ill connection with the names of the illustrious assembly by which it was framed, and ill conclusion I would respectfully offer my fellow citi- zens, my sincere congratulations upon the recurrence of tho present anniversary, all event worthy of temperate and national ioys and of a commemoration conducted with those liberal and expanded principles for which our ancestors were distinguished. \ May our country continue to prosper and to pursue the career which it has commen- ced, until finally the centurial anniversary shall come the jubilee of 1876 when thir- ty millions of freemen will assemble to acknowledge the blessings of government bestowed by the fortitude, perseverance, courage, and wisdom of the patriots of the revolution. A Citizen of Litchfeld. THOMAS JEFTERSON.-Itis a pleas ing consideration that on this day purses will be made up in different parts of our country, to help smooth the path of this great and ven- erable patriot in the down-hill of life. AL though the poverty of the sage of Monticello will be an everlasting monument in proof of hispoitica integrity, is still mortifying con sideration that he, who devoted thirty four years of the best part of his life to the ser- vice ofliis country, should, in his old age, feel its pinching grasp, while his contemporaries in humber walks of life, and serving only them selves, abound in wealth, and know pecunia- ry want only in the name. We have heard the maxim that republics are ungrateful; and compared with the sinecures and pensions that oppression gives her favourites in old despotic countries, we hope that this repub- lie may ever continue to be ungrateful; ;-but we would not have people who have fat tened upon the labours of our venerable po- litical fathers, SO far forget their flal duties as to permit single anxious petuniary care to agitate the heart which fifty years ago beat high with paternal care for them, and which has ever since felt in unison with the spirits which planned and achieved our indepen- dence. The talents of Jefferson. had they been employed for himself, rather than for his l country, would have secured him wealth and independence. But the voice of the peo- pie called him from serving himself and bade him serve his country; and it should never be told in history that the country, which, un- der his administration, and those of his vene- rable compatriots, increased in wealth and power beyond a parallel, suffered his old age to be embittered with pecuniary distress. Should this be the case, we'll may it be said that republics are ungrateful, and that faithful ly to serve a republic, is to enrich the people, and entail poverty upon the public servant. But we have no fears upon this subject a. mong the millions of freemen who will this day, with joy and rejoicing, commemorate the glorious labours on the 4th of July l776, there will he found those who will give solid evidence that they have not forgotten the remnant of that immortal band of patriots, which has survived the lapse of fifty years. The thousands which will this day be conse-