The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-07-21

II has ever been customary in all coun-
tries to celebrate very important events in
their history, by annual festivals. The
American people, in compliance with this
ancient and universal usage, devote to Joy
and gratitude the day on which, by the voice
of their representatives assembled in the
capital of this state, they renounced the
dominion of Britain, and claimed place
among the nations Of the earth. An event
of greater moment in tile annals of this
continent, it would perhaps be impossible
to designate. On that day great empire
sprang into being, and vast territory be-
came the enfranchised home of uncount.
ed millions. The consequences of that
event, even during the sixty-two years which
are now elapsed, have been immensely
great, not only to the United States, but TO
all this western hemisphere, to Europe, to
the whole world. How vast may be its
consequences through the long train of flu
ture ages, thought becomes wearied and lost
in its efforts to contemplate. AS the fruits
of the declaration OF. Independence made
in Philadelphia, the 4th Of July, l776, and
the noble exertions by which it was sus-
tanned, the people of these States, for more
the blessings Of civil and religious liberty
in a greater degree than any other people
upon the earth--have been dwelling in the
midst Of peace and plenty--have had full
scope for commercial agricultural and me-
chanical enterprise, by which they have been
filling every sea with their ships, convert
ing the wilderness on every side into fruit
full fields and populous cities. AS the fruits
of this declaration seminaries of learning
have been arising, literature and science
have been spreading, churches and religious
institutions have been multiplying and every
thing which tends to adorn and elevate
nation has had unchecked freedom TO flour
ish. Americans have therefore cause to
commemorate this event. 1t is good, fellow
citizens, on this day, turning aside from our
ordinary avocations, to assemble for the
purpose Of contemplating the history of our
poets, and especially, for the purpose of
acknowledging the goodness of the AL
mighty, whose providence by train of
wonderful events, has made these lands, but
few years since, one mighty forest, rich
and fourishing country, the abode OF free
dom, the asylum of the oppressed and un-
fortunate of all nations, and the home of
fifteen millions of people.
During the period, since the United States
cast off the dominion Of the fartherland,
most Of the nations of the earth have been
groaning under oppression, their energies
stifed their intellects fettered, and the fruits
of their industry plundered by rigorous laws
and arbitrary power. The inhabitants of
Asia and Africa have, for the most part,
been dragging out servile and wretched
existence under their despotic kings, their
Sultsns, their Pachas, and their Rajahs.-
The monarchies, aristocracies, and hierar-
ches of Europe, have been keeping the
great mass of its population in state of abb
ject depression. The countries of South
America have, until recently, been the sub
.jects Of every species Of tyranny and inius-
tice, and even now, that they have shaken
off foreign yoke, are republics but in name,
since they continue still more or less under
the sway of military dictatorship and papal
superstition, exaction and intolerance
How different has been the condition of the
people of this Union Independent of all
foreign control--living under a representa-.
give form of government, the equity oi
whose laws all must acknowledge, and the
power of whose administrators eminate:
from our own choice, and can be removed
even on the suspicion Of its abuse, by oul
united fiat-our consciences enthralled by
no ecclesiastical establishment, what great
er degree of civil and religious liberty car
we desire Our form of government, anC
free institute ons, cannot be charged will
oppression and injustice. If they exist a
mong us, their elements must be traced t.
the abuse of our freedom, and to the eyi
passions of the human heart If we are no
happy people, it is not for the want of ma
tional privileges. 1t may be safely affirm
ed, that no country under heaven, has equa
privileges, and consequently none has equa
responsibilities. While most other nations
have had heather origin, and their earlJ
history has been stained with the dark ant
bloody rites of idolatry, we can say that
christian ancestry commenced the settle
1nent OF these lands, and laid the foundation
Of our great republic. We can trace ou
nations beginnings to the puritans of Eng
land, Scotland and Ireland, the Hugunots o
France, and TO the protestant churches o
Holland and Germany. We can indulg
The pleasing reflection, chat the plantation