Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-06-27
JNO. HA AS, Chairman.
ISAAC TROUT, Sec'ry.
TO THE PUBLIC.

You no doubt are aware that considerable
excitement exists in our midst respecting the
celebration Of the approaching anniversary of
American Independence. My name it seems
has been freely and by those who differ
as to the mode of proceeding, used with
out my authority or sanction. / had no part in
any Of the arrangements made and do not
know that conversation occurred with any
member Of any one of the committees, save
when | sig ned subscription and afterwards
when requ ested to read the declaration of indie
pendence. After what occurred last year had
determined to take no conspicuous part in any
celebration thereafter reserving to myself the
privilege to act according to circumstances
had also fully determined not to refer to the
last celebration, believing that no good could
result from feeding the excitement then pro-
duced; but the revival of the same feelings, the
conneXion of the temperance cause with the
approaching celebration leaves me no alterna-
tive but to assign the reasons which induced
me then and now not to participate. For ten
years there had been, perhaps without excep-
tons spirited celebrations Of our national ami
versary in our village, and with my sanction
and at my earnest solicitude (for | command
during the whole period the Woodstock Vol
unteers) they We're conducted upon temperance
principles. or in other words without the use
of ardent spirits SO far as the same could be
prevented In May l843 as was usual, the
Volunteers decided to celebrate. and appointed
committees for the purpose. From some cause
the committee failed to act, and the celebra-
ton was gotten up under the direct auspices
Of the Temperance Societies Of Woodstock
Arrangements were made, and although deni-
ed, it was in fact celebration by said Tenn
perance societies, but perhaps it had the good
effect to stir up the patriotism OF some who
scarcely ever if ever united in fourth Of July
celebration. then took the ''b0td position"
and refused to unite, because then as well as
now believe that the day should be celebrated
in the character of citizens Of the u. States,
and that no political party associations, no
moral or religious distinctions should be made,
nor any measures taken to prevent the hum
best citizen from participating The intro
ducton Of any but national banners of course
should be prevented, for ifadmitted, the direct
effect would be disaffection and jealousy, both
calculated to mar the pleasure of the day. We
should be known only as citizens and upon our
political sabbath we should sacrifice all party
or sectional prepossessons or preiudices upon
the altar of our common country But if one
party or society may hold exclusive views,
such as was evinced in l8435 why do the lib
eral religious world condemn those churches
who dsallow free communion. If Temperance
societies act upon this principle why condemn
strict party celebrations If temperance ban
ners may be carried why may not political,
antimasonic, irreligious and immoral ones
grace such professions. Insist upon any one,
and let portion of the community sustain it,
and the affair assumes an exclusive character
and the result will be invariably as here dis
sentions and disaffection. Instead of union as
one man and one soul, distraction disunion and
wrangling most certainly follow. These were
some of the reasons which determined my
course, and for taking this stand a stand de-
signed to preserve, union and harmony in our
community | was denounced by bitter and
insulting toasts, which were not even confined