Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-07-07
THE ENQUIRER.
RICHMOND, VA.
Saturday Morning, July 4, 1916.
THE DAY.

Saturday Morning, July ~ io4o'
THE DAY.
According 10 custom most "honoieu j" 'Ae
observance" we again lay before our reaaeiS
The immortal work OF our own Jefierson-d oo-
cument, as pure in IFS spirit as IN us slyle' a"u
above all other human records in The motives
which dictated j, and The noble results winch
have flowed from it. The Declaration oil ihue-
pendence was published 10 the world IN an hou'
Of gloom and danger. 1t lighted up The darkness
that foreign oppression cast over the land ana KIN,
died q fame which has animated many lioeiai
snrirs in different portions Of the world and when
is destined TO burn brightly on the aitars Oh every
nation. We shall not pretend to touch upon 'ne
glorious associations connected with This oirtfl-
day of a happy and great nalion-nor WIN the
miobtv consequences of deed which made US
free. sovereign and independent. That task VIII"
we doubt not, be ably executed by the Orators
who will Today unroll the records OF Inc past
and dwell upon the future destiny oil The Republic.
But we may well congratulate our fellow ci-
zens upon the proud position we occupy, by The
side of the other nations on the globe EUROPE
for centurie. the seat Of power and civilization,
is quiyering under the throes OF deep and pow
erful under-currenl OF free thought ana ardent
love Of liberly-Her peace hangs upon The thread
of life OF this or that man, high in authority. No
one can calculate how soon The crisis may hap
pen. when her anliquated institutions will 6e
overturned by the food Of popular feeling, long
pen, up, bu, al an early day destined 10 sweep
away all opposition, and make for itself new
and broad channel over the ruins OF The past
How The grand movement may result no man
can say-but he must be blind, indeed who
cannot see, in The dim future, some indIca-
lions OF mighty change. How different is
the condition OF our own land! We have ra-
pidly grown up into mature and vigorous
manhood. The great nations OF Europe look
with wonder al the increase OF our RePub-
lie, no, only in population, but IN knowledge,
mower, science and all the arts OF civilization
Rv moral means alone we have extended The IL
mils OF our confederacy 10 the distant Paclhc anu
the Rio Grande. We have more than doubled
our sovereign States, and STILL by the influence Of
steam and the electric telegraph the most distant
corners OF The Union are, or soon will be, in RAPID
and easy communication. Contrary 10 The predic-
lions Of our opponents, The more we extend our
mower the less the danger OF division oil this Dles-
.ed Union. Never, in our humble opinion, was
our Union more strongly cemenled, or our peo-
ple more welded TO The contederacy-keeping in
full view the only true safeguard of The Union,
the distinc, sovereignty OF each component Stale.
We are al peace with all The world, save one
weak and infatuated nation, whose insolence,
treachery, and open assaults, have forced US 10
raise an avenging arm. Never were we engaged
in a mure righteous war, and our country has
| no reason for remorse al the consequences. But
,ye hone that Mexico will see The faulty OF fur
iber resistance, and will come forward 10 do us
usrice. and put an end TO all hostilities We ask
nothing but what is right, and peace with all the
world is our true interest, as ii is our anxious de-
sire. However We may wrangle among onr-
selves as to our domestic policy, we are united
when danger threatens from abroad. The sun
never shone upon ireer and happier people
Ii is solemn duty to commemorate the son-
Gus deeds which made US free nation and gave
us happiness. This day we should recall the
memory oflhe virtues OF our ancestors, who went
through trials, privatons and sacrifices 10 vlnd-
cate the natural rights OF liberty ami who handed
down 10 us the noble inheritance, which we can
no, regard as loo precious. Let US, Tor This day
a, least, forget party associations, and be all
Americans and Republicans. No tile can con-
Ter more honor or blessings.
LIE, us all welcome This glorious day with the
same spirit with which old John Adams address
ed The following remarkable lines 10 his vile.
They were written the day after the adoption OF
the Declaration of independence, his heart yet
glowing with the excitement Of that great event.
His predictions have been brilliantly realized.
aPoslerity" has lrumphed, and the Republic
stands forth in strength and beauty, commanding
the respect and admiration OF the most powerful
nations Of the earth:
yesterday" he says "the greatest question
was decided that ever was debated in America;
and greater perhaps, never was, or will be, de-
cided among men: A resolution was passeo,
without one dissenting colony, that these United
States are, and ought 10 be, Free and Independent
States The day is passed. The Fourlho' ly,
IT'S, will be a memorable epoch in the y
OF America am apt 10 believe it !! DE
celebrated by succeeding generations, as
the great anniversary festival. 1t ought
to be commemorated, as The day of deiv-
GRANGE, by solemn acts OF devotion TO
Almighty God. II ought TO be soemaizcd with
pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfres,
and Examinations, from one end ofthe continent
10 the other from this time forward for ever. You
will think me transported with enthusiasm but
amnet lam we'll aware OF the toll, and blood;
and treasure that il will cost TO maintain this de-
claraon, and support and defend these States;
YET, through all the gloom, can see that the end
is wrong more than all the means; and that pos
leriy will triumph"