South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-07-23
Grafton
Delivered in the Presbyterian Church,
Romney, Va, on the 4th of July, by
PHILIP D. STREET.

ROmhey, Va, On the 4tn OF July, Wy
PHILIP D. STREET.
FRIENDS, COMRADES, COUNTERFEIT
The commemoraiion Of past events has
very early date in the history of the
world. Israel had her seasons Of jubilee,
when the incidents of gone days crow
ded upon the mind. Polished Greece,
and martial Rome abounded with memo
rails ofsignal deliyerances, and splendid
victories;-the achievements of their bold
warriors, and disting pushed patriots were,
at stated periodic. brought freshly TO their
remembrance, by monuments and festi-
walls ofrefgion. England, has also, her
days "of song and ohivalry, humiliation
and prayer" commemorative Of wonder
hlevents in her history. Almost oil peo-
pie have in some form or other observed
lines Of national festlvity. But, wha,
nation has greater reasons to rejoice than
the one the anniversary of whose INDIE
psndenee We this day celebrate, = than
that which on this day 90 years ago
sprung into existence in full vigor, hRe
The goddess of wisdom from the brain of
Jupiter The deliverance of our coun-
Try from foreign mlsrule and long train
OF abuses, is the theme or our rejoicing
and as our minds are carried back to the
times that tired mems souls"-a host Of
interesting associations spring up in the
heart. The story of the privatlons g. sor-
rows Of those BARTHOLOMEW, who dared to
do or die their sufferlngs a. wrongs peril
and death defeat and victory, written as
II 10 IN blood and tears is this day revi-
we'd In the memories Of their chlldren's
chiieron--and We, as millions Of other
ireemen. have COME up to the sanctuary
70 gather strength, courage and Instruc-
lion from reflection over the pure and
glorious record.
The narrative of the early colonists in
an age OF generous emulation when the
chlyalrous character had become soften
ted by intellectual pursuits. forsakina the
land OF their birth undertaking the ha-
zardons enterprise of colonlzing a new
world-ploughing, a trackless ocean,
bravlng tho winds of Heaven and the
storms Of the angry deep--and sin hope
against hope" springing upon the wild
and rugged rock Of Plymouth, and plant
ing the seeds of holy religion. and a
vast empire destined to be Inexaaupled
and glorious, thoggh replete with much
20 e9miFss and TO inform, would be but
,-ne irite rehearsal of every anniversary.
ldcThe story too of colonial ills and In
Juries- the exactions and impositlops by
british enactments--the touching, yet
manly appeals and remonstrauces of the
colomsts--the strangely perplexcd and
unaecountnbly ignorant policy OF the So
nate and council chamber of Engiana =
that haugAty indifference to the cry OF
oppression, and that vain reliance on The
puissant arm Of her soldiery, with which
she flung down che gauntlet, crossed the
hubicon, and plunged into an nglorIous
war the bold and noble response OF
those she insultlngly called BoYs-RE-
bELs to her crown and dignity--in there
novel, grand and admired Declaration OF
independence, although full OF nlstruc-
ave lessons both moral and civil, are too
FAMILIAR TO 10 entertaining in the re-
petition.
The incidents of an eight years war
the successes and reverses, suifarings
and endurances; the crimsened field of
battle, where the hoary locks Oft the faith
er lay clot.ed in the gore his FIRST born,
The fame. bright and undying fame Of
Bsnkers-hlll, Princeton, Trenton. Stony
point, and Yorktowp--themes of nation
al pride and moral instruction, are too
iarnillar ut this late day TO elicit admira-
ton by the telling and yet those spots
where the life blood of the free. was
poured out like water, and where traces
OF the revolutionary mound u ditch still
remain,afe sacred totae loftlest recullec-
tons OF freedom. - rhey are classic
ground"--Thlther in all future time
May the patElot the poet. and the senta-