Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-07-07
THE FOIRTH nu.y

socre was ABOUT 10 be initiated IN that city.
THE FOURTH JULY.
The anniversary of American Independence. was
celebrated in this city, in public way; entirely bv
the Volunteer Corps. The usual military exhibitions
were made, and the usual salutes fired ON the pub.
lie square, by the Light Infantry Blues, under cap
tain Munford, the La Fayette Artillery under cant
Richardson, and the Dragons, under captain Har.
rison. Those corps turned out in Unusual force
and their splendor of equipment; discipline, and
e1actitude of evolution, received the applause OF
the multitude. Soon after two o'clock, they NOV
cd off the parade ground to Clarkes Spring in the
'cini;' of the city, where the Blues and Artillery
lth a number of civic guests, sumptuously
entertained by the Dragons.
lam W. Brockenbrough, Esq. of the Dragons,
ing been selected to read the Declaration of In
spendence, prefaced that honorable duty by the
following brief and eloquent address:
Fellow-Citizens and Soldiers-In conformity
with an usage coeval with the foundation of our
Republic, we have again assembled around the fes-
tive board to greet the return of the anniversary
of our independence. 1t is once our inestimable
privilege, and our sacred duty, to commemorate
this great event. by every suitable demonstration
OF our gratitude and ioy. 1t s fit that we should
afford this public testimony to the world that we
know how to appreciate the liberties which our
fathers gave u.s. 1t is peculiarly proper that those
by whose wisdom in council, and vaor in the field
this great event was achieved, should, this day.
abe in our flowing cups, freshly rememberedn Ii
may be safely affirmed that no event recorded
I'm history, has excited powerful, or as beneficial
IAN influence on the destinies of mankind, as the
St}eclaration OF American independence. 1t was
new, and the most important chapter in the his
tory Of the world. Had it's beneficial effects been
confined to ourselves, we would find abundant
cause of rejoicing in revolution which brought us
from agtate of colonial yassalage, into the condi-
stion of free, sovereign, and Independent States.
Such however, is far from being the case. The
moral influence exerted by that great event, and by
the remarkable success which has, for period of
IS years, attended our Institutions, likely in
the progress of events, to be circumseribed only by
the limits of the civilized world 1t is peculiar
boast, to have been the pioneers in the great work
of establishing the rights of man a secure, and
sas we trust, imperishable basis. We have held
aloft the torch of liberty, and the nations of the
earth, lured by its lovely and steady blaze, fol-
lowing the glorious example. Since the last cei2-
hraton of this anniversary, events have transpired
on tho Continent of Europe, deeply interesting to
every friend ofhuman liberty. A new and glorious
era has dawned upon the world. By the irresistible
progress of free principles almost every throne of
the old world has been shaken to its centre The
sceptre has been wrested from the hands of hered-
itary tyrants, who received their power by acct
dent, and abused it by system. The chains which
thoY sought to weave around the liberties of the
people, have been shivered, and their broken links
scattered to the wind. The scenes which have been
enacted within the last few months have furnished
most striking evidence of the truth of that noSe
declaration of ilustrious Lafayette sthat for
q nation to lore liberty, it is sufficient
Fhat she kotos it, and to be free it is sufficient that
she MILLS it." Daily experience convinces us that
1T is perfectly futile to attempt stay the march of
free principles when aided by their powerful hand
maid, free and enlightened press. Almost every
sail that is waited across the Atlantic, brings intel
.lgence of some new attempt Of an oppressed peo-
pie to shake off the yoke of despotis1D which has
been imposed upon them from time immemorial.-
France, by revolution, accomplished almost with
out bloodshed, has Indignantly spurncd and hurled
from the throne, her degenerate monarch, who
guided by the wicked counsels of his prohigate
ministers attempted to crush by single blow, the
liberties of his subjects. More recently, have
witnessed the signal triumph of the cause of popu
lar rights in England-triumph not the less decis
ive--that it achieved without the effusion o.
hood, and in period of profound peace. But it il
Poland at this crisis, that the eyes of the friends
- liberty, throughout the world, turned will
lost intense and absorbing interest. Poland, re
powned Tor the chivalry and gsllantry of her sons
IS at this time engaged in a mos interesting, bu
'hnequai struggle to throw off the despotism Of he
gigantic oPpressor, May the cause Of liberty tri
G1mpb' May that oppressed country animated b.
the spirits OF kosciusko and Pulaski teach her i'm
Periai desPot that even the immense power of tn
Autocrat of oil the RussiaF is inadeauate tn on
slave people sensible of their rights and deter
mined to conquer or die in their dofencel
But VIII not detain you longer, fellow-citizens
IN tracing the effects of the American revolutio
the distinguished g. ininnitable state paper which
years ago declared the independence Of these State
of the British crown. It is instrument which q
it called down the execratiens Of tyrants so it wa
hailed with the most enthusiastic rapture by ever
friend of Am. liberty II is instrument whic
so long they revere and cherish the institution
OF their forefathers, so long they capable
aPPreciating the first and most inestimable gift
Heaven, will be dear to the American People, an
which, through unborn ages, posterity will admir-
as an impeTishable monument of the exalted peni,
and devoted patriotism Of Thomas Jefferson.
In giving the toast expressive Of the feelings
the Blues for their brethren Of tho Artillery al
Dragons, Capt. Munford addressed the assemble,
IN an extemPoraneons and animated effusion "
regret that copy could not be procured for pub
cation.
Nothing whatsoever occurred to interrupt {
harmony and cordislity which ought ever 70 Oh
fsetetiss the day The few political toasts th
were giv6n. ,-Ard offered and Iecsiysd, in Esprit