The Iowa patriot. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1839-1839, 1839-07-04
ANNIVERSARY.

Ns<ette' instead OF Distinguished Strangers.
ANNIVERSARY
This day completes sixty-three wears Of on,
National Independence, aud it will NOT mi,
% celebrated in this but in every land where
an American citizen is to be found. How
vastly different are the circumstances which
dawn upon this country on the present occa
sion, compared with those that surrounded
that brave band Of Patriots, whose treasure
ana whose blood were freely poured forth on
the altar Of Liberty, to secure for those who
should come after them our present state NJ
freedom and independence. They made nc
unimresning professions of patriotism. Tbev
exhibited the living, burning principle itself
Ind and SO absorbed were they in the attain
mcnt Of their object, that they cordially
pledged to each other their lives, their for
lures and their sacred honor. These patriots
nave nearly all closed their eyes upon the ex.
citement and parade incident to the doincs q,
TINS day. Bot their deeds of noble daring, thei,
Pr'vations and their sufferings will forever be
gaEnercd in the hearts of their countrvmen
Whose heart does not throb with sympathy as
&C reads the story of his country's wrongs, as
set forth in the glorious Declaration of indie.
Pendcnce Whose heart does not beat in nm;
son with the mutual declaration of these M.
Ole iew' as they make their pledge, through
veal or woe, to sacrifice all that thew hold
dear to secure the Independence of the;,
country
In It's physical features-in its rapid strides
10 greatness, wealth and prosperity, our coun.
try has doubtless far outstnpped the most ar.
dent articipations Of the Patriots of the Revo.
luton. butall these will not pcrpetuate our
liberties. Something is wanting beside them
all. Without National virtue and intelli.
gence, all our professions of Independence
may prove the mere lullaby by which this Ma.
ton i to be becalmed, previous to being en-.
su'pned within that vortex in whose mighty
jaws the republics Of Greece and Rome were
swallowed Vigilance, untiring vigilance. is
requisite, or theirs will be our fate. Already
many begin to ape the manners and the lux.
urious modes of living Of the grandecs and
princes of the old world, and nothing but a
speedy reformation and determination to car.
~ out in all our plans and actions pure repub.
lican principles can save us.
There was one trait of character which
stood out in bold relief in all the public ac-
lions Of our patriotic forefathers. We allude
to their constant recognition of dependence on
God. 1t was the confidence they exercised in
his protection that norved their arm and en-
eouraged them, amidst the most disheartening
circumstances, to unrelaxing efforts in the
cause Of Liberty. They felt that He, who
would not let a sparrow fall to the ground
without his knowledge, whose government
extended over all his works, took an interest
in their struggle for freedom; and they acted
ON this principle. Causes have been operating
ever since, to lessen this feeling Of our need
Of Divine assistance-cause similar to those
which operate upon individuals, who in their
prosperity forget to recognize the hand that
has blessed them in their basket and in their
store. This is no far fetched view of this
subject; it obtrudes itself naturally, as we at.
tempt to account for the success of orr fore.
fathers. Every man who loves his country is
bound to govern himself by the same princ.
pies. if he would have his Individual influence
add any weight to the scale Of public virtue.
The Government Of God, as far as we know.
is republican in its principles every individual,
/. is free to act for himself, he alone beinp
responsible. The character of the nation is
made up Of individual infuences-every citizen
therefore, should feel his responsibility and
act on broad and patriotic principles. Every
individual Get, then, that tends to lower the
standard of public morality should be- dis.
countenanccd and frowned down. Although
the moral pulse of the nation seems to beat
feebly at the present time, there appears to be
q desire arising 10 avert the national calami.
tics which even now threaten our dissolution
And we trust the wise and good of our land
may yet adopt such measures in relation to
orr national delinquencies and crimes as will
commend themselves to the favorable CON.
siderstion Of the nation at large, and thus eff.
fect thorough reformation and secure the
smiles q . kind and overriding Providence.
While we celebrate on this occasion our
National Independence. we also celebrate
the birthday Of Iowa Territory. Although
an infant. she i an infant Hercules. Never
was : section Of country ushered into exist
cnce under more favorable auspices, than 10.
va. With ! population unusual as whole.
for itssistsilgence and industry, with natural
advantages almost unsurpassed by any other
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