Democratic banner., 1847-08-16

ALI letters on business must be post paid.
II We publish the following address de-
Iivered by John B. Henderson, Esq, at
Smiths Spring, on the 4th of July last, at
the request Of some of the citizens Of that
vicinity:
ADDRESS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: This vast coll
lection of people here to-day, is amply sufii-
cient TO prove TO us, that the spirit of the
rgst still perrades our country, and that
eur people are yet willing 10 manifest their
recollection of those, who split their blood
IN defence Of human rights, and died upon
the sacred altar Of American liberty. 1t
has been the custom with all the nations of
the earth: 70 celebrate with pomp and SPLEEN
dor, the anniversaries Of the most remIIka-
bic cras of their history and progress
The many public festivals and celebrations
of the ancient Greeks and Romans were in
variably held in commcmoration Of S0ire
great event, which was halluwcd in their
memories by the defeat of afoc, the srhvcr-
sion of tyranny, or the establishment of
laws and civil rights.
1t was here that the virtues and the no
bic deeds Of the past were called TO rcinem-
brance, and ii was here that men were
laugh. to burn with emulation whilst due
praise and honor were conferred upon those
who had been the chief actors in these
great events. They here learned that in
mortal fame was the reward OF virtue. and
that crowns of shame and disgrace were
worn upon the heads of the vicious. They
acre saw the old and the yoang, the rich
sad the pnoT, tie humble linsban4Han ana
ine ~E-.;tny Patrician, ali willing TO open
:iIeir hearts to the grateful recollection of
the honored patriots who had fcarlcsSly
braved the storms of peril and danger to
rescue their country and her citizens from
ruin and oppression. 10 this thing alone,
and to the consequent education arc high
moral sense Of the people, can We ascriac
those wonderful examples Of wisdom, Of
ri'ty, Of virtue, and patriotism, to be seen
upon every page Of tho ancient historian.
If the citizens of ancient countries could
find sufficient for praise and admiration in
the preccpts of their sages, the valor Of
their heroes, the patience and foItitude Of
their armies, the wisdom Of their statesmen,
and the fame of their patriots, then should
we, in the spirit of gratitude, and Oh this
day consccIated to American liberty, ever
be willing 20 recur to those sacred names
which were rendered dear to us in the day
of danger which threatened chains and OPP
preston to our country, and death 60 tie
,:aiae af freedom. = X x + X
When shall America forget tie name of
her Washington? So long as virtue is pre-
eminent in The heart Of man-sO long as the
lovely themes nf freedom and independence
shall be chantcd on the western continent
SO long as Americans shall turn with de-
lighted hearts to the glorious fiells Of Tren-
ton and Yorktown, 50 long viii his minor
tai name be hailed in joyful emotion, by
those who love their dearest rights and de-
sire to be free. When shall the honored
names ofJcfferSon and Adams, Of Hancock,
and Henry, be effaced from The memory of
our people? They lived and died in the
service of Their country,-They devoted
the inexLaustable energies of their mighty.
minds, and the benevolence of their gcner-
Gus souls to the blessed cause of sustaining
and supporting that revolution which clos
ed in the confirmation of liberty and free
government to man. When darkness, OBJ
security, and doubt, overhung our success,
they spoke and the cloud dispersed. When
defeat and adversely cane upon our arms,
and chill fear had fastened itself upon our
people. their firm and undaunted words i'll
fI~~h the breath Of newborn courage into
ts breasts of their c%ountrymen. But they
wio were once with us in the hour of trial,
who braved the threats of Kings and parlia-
ments, whose voices were raised in con-
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