The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-03
THE ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN IN.
DEPENDENCE.

The fourth of July more comes round, to call
forth the thanksgiving, the congratulations, the
proud and patriotic spirit of great people. Reli-
gion may celebrate the birthday of its venerable
saints; the subjects Of European governments may
pay deerental honor to the birth of their monarchs
but we hail this day the birth of the Independence
Of our republic. What theme is more worthy of
our commemorationl This is the day when the hear,
may pour forth its finest feelings-when the orator
may exult, and the bard may utter his nobest
strains; when every citizen may boast Of our ins-
tutions, and freeman in every region may ex-
claim, This is the day which the only free coun-
try in the world was born"
Providence itself seems to have spread out this
noble theatre for the establishment of freedom. 1t
was new country, discovered by Columbus, at a
moment when the spirit Of the Reformation was Civ
ing new impulse to the freedom of the human
mind. Our pilgrim fathers brought with them the
spark, which was then more easily kndled in new
land. There were no antquated institutions, no
hoary preiudices of centuries past, to arrest the
progress Of improvement. They brought with them
the bold spirit of the Saxon race; and twas only ne
cessary to acquire population enough to create the
elements Of new nation, and then to strike off the
letters which bound them to the mother county-and
the miracle was accomplished. The expressions of
Great Britain as they detailed in the following
memorable document of the declaration Of ndepend-
ence achieved this object and we rose up ga free,
sovereign, and independent people," The subse-
quent struggle was indeed tremendous. Blood
flowed in torrents; but, with such wisdom in coun-
Gil, such bravery in the field, and such allies came
to us from Europe the work of independence and OF
liberty was done. And now that we are enjoying
their blessings, let take to watch the vesal
flame which our fathers have kndled upon the altar,
and prove ourselves worthy of the glorious destiny
which they have secured-on this day when our
great empire is probably enlarged by the union o.
two republics- the United States and of Texas.
With what prophetic vision were the consequences
of this day foreseen, when old John Adams thus
draws the veil from before the glories which it was
nshering in:
"PHILADELrHIA, July q, l776.
yesterday the greatest question decided which
debated In America and greater perhaps never was
without dissenting colony THAT THESE UNITED STATES
ARE, RIGHT OUGHT TO BE, FREE AND ISDKFENDENr
"The day is passed The ath Of July 1910, will be
,aenorab epoia the history Of America apt to
believe ssSe celebrated BY succeeding generations q
ssmss sparts guns Ssi 5onfrss and ilamnsions
9sl ass m si You viii think me- with enhs
sasgn but not am well aware Of the toll and blood
and treasure that will cost to maintain this declaration
and support and defend these staes yet through all the
gloom can the rays flight and gloryI can that
the than all the means and that poserity
will triumph although you and may rue, which hope we
II am, &C. John ADAMS