Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-07-29
ADDRESS.
Delivered at Independence Island, Yps,tants July
4h 1916.
BY H. p. POWERS.

BY H. p. POWERS.
Twas night! Darkness, long and dense' enveio-
ned the earth-The nations sat in the region and sad-
ow of death-Tyranny, like Incubus, sat upon the
bosom of our race-Despotism had become legitIna- !
ted by consent-Efeminacy held its victims in Sc
curitv more fatal than the manacles they had been
wont to wear-Monarchy was sleeping on its throne,
and reused only to revel, issue new mandates OF
exaction, that it might return to its sureit-lmpe
tus to intellect was well nigh spent, and man was
dosing his elev alton.
Suddenly murmur is heard in the distant West
at echoes on and echoes wide and echoes louder
till it speaks out in tones that cannot be mistaken ~
gall men are born equal, endowed by the Creator
with the nalienabe rights of Life, Liberty, and the
pursuit of Happiness for the security OF which Gov
ernments were instituted TT protests against the
usurpations of Royalty, and afrms the practlcabty
of Self-government and, to carry out Its view,
pledges {" Life, Fortune, and sacred Honor"
This voice proceeded from band OF worthless, nifty
six in number, assembled in continental Congress-
Anon the echo flies. The breezes watt it-Hil
speaketh unto hill, and valley respondent unto val
lev, till the Colonies are vocal with the cry of LIB
RRrT DEATH
IhlS drama opened upon INC Woiiu uiO fsh uoy va
July l776.
iusplcious morn On which the sun of freedom
rose to gild the brow of sages and behold patriots
grasp their swords, and cast away the scabbards,
and swear by HIM who veth forever, that they new
er again would sheath them, till LIBERTY HAD TRI-
UMPHED.
But why for these seventy years, do crowds OF our
countrymen group together on the return OF this aus
picous morni Why leaves the man of God his sa-
cred functions the sage his study and youth, and
years, and hoary age, and Beauty Fair to JOIN IN
concourse gay and heightened in laughing harmo-
nv distinctions buried, and discords all forgot lit
is LlBERrY's BRrH-"THE SABBATH DAY OF FREE
DOM The race of the ransomed, with grateful hearts
and exuting voices have again come up, IN the sun
hight of peace to the Jubilee OF their Independence
1t is meet they should do And so long as our
Country is loved and Liberty priced tits fit we should
come together to tell again the story OF our fathers
prowess and to muse upon the results OF their
mighty struggle; for these are the subjects which
shall, in the main occupy our attention.
l will not quarrel with others about the mode
of concentrating this day-the mere medium Of
manifesting our hilarity and good feeling Letthose
talk Baby and eat their gingerbread and candy who
will. Iprefer the patriotic harangue the roar o.
cannon and the smell of powder the shrll fife ant
the rolling drum.
But departing, as am, from the wonted avoca
lions of my office, it may not be amiss to defend TIT
proprety of contributing my mite to awaken th'
emotions appropriate to this day.
Need advert to the love of Co untry and OF KIN
dred, which characterized the DIVINE MASTER who's
GOSPEL yreach To the restriction of his person
al labors to Judea, and the feeling which wept, ii
emotions tende rer than human, its deserted Me
tropolisa TO the discriminating order issued to Hi
disciples "Go not into the way of the Gentlles, an
into any city of the Samaritans enter We not bu
o rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel f
To the burning zeal of the chiefest Apostle, VIII
coud wish himself accused for his brethren his kin
men according to the feshl To the melting strain
of the Prophets, who admonished against danger,
watched each inraction of their Country's freedom
Believe me, Fellow Citizens, " he who hath no
patriotism in himself, and is not moved with |" OF
fathers wrongs, and suerngs, and vaour, is fit fl
treason stratagem and spoil"
make no exception assert in broadcast term
that he who wantonly forget the price at whio
his liberties were bought, and dwell without emotic
upon the progress of revolutionary Struggle al
its after consequences to the world, merits nothir
better than slavery.
Away then, with the objection am answering
1t is the cant os the Pharisee and the niggards Sian
and should be reprobated as treason. hiring no r
proach upon the Sacerdotal ofice-I forsake not n
appropriate employment, in emulating with you, Il
love of my Country, and the veneraton for those wi
freed it.
One word more, and l return to my subject.
From the circumstances under which / appear b
fore you, know it will be expected that ma
many apologies for the tameness of the efort-I ma
none. For though the deeds of our sircs have be-
chanted IN the poets numbers, and have lent bfi
lance to the most sparkling oratory, none of the
magic touches are required to interest you. T
theme itself is magic, and he who touches it, thou
done with bungling hand, yet strikes chord to viii
every fibre of the American heart will respond in lo
and reiterated vbrations-Peace then to my fears,
our feelings are common and though there be mo
bodies, there is but soul in this assembly tod;
That Soul has come up to offer gratitude at {
Country's altar--to mingle innocence with the mir
full, and liberty with the free.
I am done with DEPRESSION, and will, as promis
glance at the .actoYs in the Revolution-.4i its
sults TO man.