Southern telegraph., 1838-07-11

| rolled back rejoicing ire m his northern goal,
and, as beloved friend, departing for sea-
son, smiles back promise to meet again,
so he, at every recuran of this ''greGt
and glorious day" gives earnest of return
to greet, and cheer, and bless, free and
happy natiun.
How few and tremulous are now the vol
ces of those who first shouted deliverance
amidst the festivity of this proud, event. i
day. Ofthe hammered hosts who nobly dar-
ed the storm of '76, and barred their bosoms
TO the battle rage-how few remain !-and
they like storm-worn mariners wrecked on
foreign coasts, find themselves in the midst
of strangers who listen, with thrilling in
terest, to the relation ofadventures and deeds
of valor which gave them leave to be, but
in which they had no participation Their
cOmpeers have been borne down by the re-
sistless tide of battle, or crushed by the vale
of years, and slumber with the mighty dead.
Yet some have lived, and lived to see the
glorious little constellation which spangled
the banner of liberty while enyeoped in
the believing clouds of war, increase in
number, and magnitude, and brightness, un-
til other stars which shone with dazzling
splendor from high meridian when it arose,
are now but dimIy seen IN the galaxy of
nations, vanishing before its rising glory
They stand on the majestic summit of
times proudost pyramid, and contrast, with
amazement and delight, the glory of the
Ipresent with the gloom of the past. They
look down the lapse of time a few short
years, and behold few, oppressed and fee
BILE colonies struggling, in unequal conflict,
with the mightiest monarch Of earth; with
out revenue, or commerce, or navy; with
out resources at home or credit abroad
Yet while they gaze, with retrospective eye,
on scenes long past, and tread again the
crimson fields Of war; the shout of final VIC
tory swels on memory's car. They see
them emerging from the stormy cloud un-
Stained, save by the blood of heroes, and
gloriously adorned with wreaths of death
less Iaurels gathered from their tombs. En-
deared by mutual suffering and mutual toll,
they see the emancipated colonies meet in
friendships fond embrace, and E the in
separable bond of political union, swear mu-
tual allegiance and eternal fidelity.
Then turning their eye upon the present
Gene, they imagine themselves transported
to new world. The forests have disap-
peared. The ploughshare has obiteratcd
the path of the wandering savage. Cities
have shot up their gliltoring spires to hea-
ven. The ocean groans beneath their com
merce; every wind of heaven swels their
sails, and every port is studded with their
towering masts-rivers have changed their
course, mountains have sunk and valleys
have risen. Even the seeming discord of
beligerant elements have been taxed to
overcome the stern laws of nature, and unite
their energies in the prosecution of modern
enterprise. They see enormous barques
burdened with the riches OF the world, OPP
bucnce of the headlong flood, grooming de-
tiance to the torrents might and dashing in
cOntemptuous wrath, the opposing liquid
from then weaking wings; pierce every for
est, traverse every PLAIN, and bring in con-
tact earth's remote extremes! Now is this
aIlP Wherever they turn their eyes they
see new creation animated by this mys-
terious soul It's secret impulse moves the
living crowd, nerves the arm of industry,
and complicated Operations ofman. They
see, with incredulous amazement, the rush
ing car carrying in its lmpetuous course over
the desert waste and mountainous dizzy
height; annihi4ating time and space, and
miugling in one common scene all the vari-
cites of mighty empire.
Nor have science and literature been for
gotton However rapidly arts aud improve
ments have advanced, they have kept equal
pace. The march of intellect has been on
ward and upward. Every Sovereignty has
its temples of learning, and every temple It's
crowd Of ardent youth, painting for the Ilv-
ing streams of knowledge, and struggling
up the rugged steps Of fame-chcered and
stimulated in their onward course by new
and hitherto untasted fountains gushing on
the soul, opened by the unwearied energies
: of genius, and onward march of mind.
o! how the scene brightens as we ascend
through the short and brilliant history of our
beloved country. Every step unfolds some
new beauty, and every year announces
some glorious achievement. But over all
her prosperity and beauty, and glory, there
hangs "a dark and troubled cloud, which
spreads blight and midew, and ruin, and
death, over her fairest prospects, and most
endearing scenes.
e The singular preparation which we have
made for the celebration of this "great and
q glorious day." the total absence of the great
! moral guIlotine in our convivial repast opens
new era in the history of our national
Z = anniversary in this vicinity; which, while
i it teens of the deep convictions OF our owl
. hearts of the pestiferous influence of the
banished guest, may tell of the destiny o
n millions, yet unknown and be emblazonet
i on the loltiest monument of fame as th'
n leading clue to the most glorious achieve
Q ment recorded in the archives of the mora
d world