Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-06-30
To the Editors Of The Enquirer
THE FOURTH OF JULY!

Gentlemen. In recent number OF your paper
vou have announced the manner in which Inc aP-
preaching anniversary OF American lndepenu-
epcs is to be celebrated by the different Volunteer
Companies of This City. Whilst it is tfue'
Messrs. Editors, that none can have right 10
comnlaip OF this preference on the part OF the
Volunteer Companies for an exclusive commu
MON with the military on our great nallona,
iuhilee il is thought that in this disposition, and
IN lie tendencies to which it naturally leads may
be discerned matter tor serious regret Nay, IS
not such disposition, and the practice sPrlnglns
out of it, entirely Inconsistent with The occasions
II there be any thing connected win the exist
ence Of our Country and Government that IS en-
phalically national, catholic and eompreaenstcc-
any Thing iueconciable win eSciusiycness:
with classes or distinctions CIVIL religious or MI
liary-itis the establishment OF American lnde-
npndence. LIS foundation was in the spirit oil the
propLE-its achievement was the act OF The poo
ple-its objects the liberty and happiness OF me
people. the whole people, in contrast with all
grades, classes or orders. The struggles OF
Lexington and Bunker Hill did not begin with
the military,the were The efforts OF an oppressed
| and indignant PEOPLE, in repellingthe oulrases %
an organized military force; and il was the spIi'
which prompted those heroic efforts, filling The
minds and hearts OF every man and every woman
of those times, which erected new social and
political organization, based upon THESE hrin anu
broad foundations Of our Bill OF Rights.
LIST. That all power is vested IN, and conse'
ouenlly derived from the PEOPLE.
I'd. That Government is, or ought 10 be nstl'
tuted for The common benefit protection and Sc.
curity of the PEOPLE, NATION or COMMUNITY.
Sd. That well-resulaled militia, composed oil
the body of the PEOPLE, trained TO arms, IS The
nroner. natural and safe defence OF Free State
| and that in all cases the military should be 10
strict subordinaton 10, and governed by the clvi
power.
If then any thing can be safely affirmed OF the
American Revolution it is, that il was declslvely
civic and popular in its origin, and IN It's onec!s
Yet in this community certainly, ana perhaps III
others. in The celebration of this popular kevo-
linton the people as such, have little or no parli
cipalion; every distinctive characteristic OF mat
celebration is. On the contrary, peculiarly nltAtary.
A large BODY OF the citizens belonging 10 the
military separate themselves from the mass, and
one not belonging 10 that class, has no opportu-
nily OF uniting with them, unless he should be
| favored with an invitation. II is The undoubled
ri.bl of those persons so 10 separate themselves
but the question recurs, is it right or beneficial IN
a social. political or national point OF view?
Does The practice tend to promote either good
fellowship or patriotic iervots Does II present
correct exponent OF the events and primer
ples il processes to commemorate? Has not This
practice tendency 10 keep out OF view The
true principles and objects Of The revolution, and
10 convert lis anniversary either into cause Tor
paseanry, or into an occasion OF distinction be,
tween The citizen and soldierl Il may be said
that our soldiers are citizens. True, answer,
and our citizens are our soldiers-0A our cHi-cnS--
and there should be no separation between por-
tions OF them in intercourse. in consra'uIa!lon'
and in mutual appreciation of the day, or rather,
Of the event il brings TO mind, produced by badge
worn for The season. On such an occasion, oil
all Others should every separation, real or appa,
sion should be one especially 10 bring together. all
The people OF common country, and amidst am Is
grateful acknowledgements to Heaven ana re-
ioicings for the signal blessings accorded them
make them feel as Americans and brethren IN
hear, and in sentiment.
AS citizens generally cannot under the exist
inc practice unite with the military, il is suggest
ed that a civic celebration as particularly aprro-
pirate 10 the day, should also be observed.