Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1845-07-17
FOR THE JEFFERsoNIAN REPUBLICAN.

The anniversary of our national lndepen-
dence was celebrated in this place with gene
raj attention and respect. An ora,ion was de-
livered in The Presbyterian Church, which was
filled with a large and attentive auditory
There was so little of drunkenness, profanity
and other kindred exhibitions of folly and ex-
uavagance that il is really esteemed with us a
token for good. We rejoice in that increasing
ly strong expression Of public sentiment which
halls the return of nations jubilee, in sober
and rational manner, and calls for something
which shall instruct, direct, and elevate the
character and tone of public sentiment, instead
of the degrading and senseless and expen-
diture Of rum and gunpowder. We cannot say
pistols, &c. fred off by the boys, nor that the
litle girls in the procession were not some.
what startled and put to flight by the reports of
the cannon, which was KEEP. pretty busily piled
by The boys of larger growth. But consider
ing the apoun, of attention paid by all class
es of society to "keeping up" The day, there
was much TO encourage and cheer the friends
of order, temperance, peace and virtue, in the
diminution of lha, spurious kind Of patriotism,
which is measured by the rum that is poured
down, and the noise that is made
The procession, led by the Milford Band,
marched hroug h the principal streets 10 the
Church, where the oraiion was delivered by
John U. Johnson. Esq Ii does no, consist
with my design in this communication, 10 al
tempt an elaborate criticism of this production
but it is due to its author TO say ,ha; its style
was, in good degree, chaste, perspcuous,
graceful and frequently elevated, as well as
beautiful, and its argument, except in few
points, where the opinions Of our own, and
probably every other community, are divided,
forcible and conclusive. Were | to hazard
remark not tn eommendation, it would be on the
introduction Of conlrover,ed points in politics,
especially of strictly party politics, into dis
course an occasion, and at an assembly, strict
ly national, when the presence Of men of all
parties without distinction, seems 10 recommend
The introduction of no topic likely to arouse un
pleasant associations. believe it is natural
10 men TO prefer hearing the arguments Of their
opponents broached, in places, times and cir
cumstances, where, if disposed. they have the
opportunity to reply. Blu: parlzan debate
which in such circumstances would be the
probable consequence of a pariizan speech
might possibly, even in our intelligent, sober
and peaceful community, turn national cele-
bra,ion into bout at fsticufs, litle to The edi
6ca,ion of actors or behoders
1t is no, that would charge any such ex-
IRENE consequences as Legitimate result on
the temperate and highly argumen,alive dis
course in question, bat thought that the pecu-
liar feature of it, which elected my leading re-
mark nigh, pro6sably afford opportunity 10 star,
the question whether it is not on The whole ad-
visabe 10 avoid the discussion of strictly party
questions, in connection with the 4ih of July,
and whether reflection would no, lead 10 the |
conclusion that any other course encroaches on
The unanimiiy and harmony necessarily implied
in celebrating ,ha. day.
The vindcaton of American literature and
The reputation of American authors, from the |
Of European, and especially British
scribblers, which constituted the former part Of
the oration, was able and manly, and though
no, covering all the ground, which might have
been proftabIy and fairly occupied. in those
which enumerated the abes, produc-
lions, subjects and names Of the writer's of our
country, still it may be Tearlessy offered as
salu,ary pill 10 British squeamishness on this
subject. No doubt if The said foreign scribblers
were required TO give reasons" fo- their af-
fec,ed con,emp, of America, in This respect, so
far from being like Fals,af's reasons, f" as thick
as blackberies," they would find them dwndIe
down TO one, ,viz:-jealousy. am wrong
hey might find one more-ignorance; unless
hey have marvellousIy improved since The
days of their grandfathers. when as Wilher-
spoon tells US. member of the lower house of
Parliament frequently made mention of the ISL
AND of PennsyIyania and ooe of rio ,r;r,, co,,,,