Lewisburg chronicle, and the West Branch farmer. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1849-1849, 1849-11-07
IThe following, pronounced before the "Philom
athesn Society,"" appears by our request,
OUR COUNTRY AS IT Is.

OUR COUNTRY AS IT Is.
|, is a source Of qualification to those
participating in celebrations, to rever, TO
the event cnmmemoraied. This is especi.
ally the case if that event be in itself noble
and great, or stand as the representative
Of what is worthy OF admiration. 1t is still
more crafty in, if salu,ary influence has
gone lorh from il to mankind and most
of all is II so, il the very individuals cele.
braling an event, can recognize in The
founla Of their richest blessings. .
|, must be gratifying TO all Americans,
to commemorate the event which. has rem
dered The Fourth Of July so justly ceIebra-
ied-to do honor TO The day as the birth day
of American liberty, and 10 do honor 10 the
document which they claim 4. the Charter
Of that liberty. Ia the Declaration Of In
dependence, We discover principles the
most noble. pu. forth BY spirits tho most
imagnanimous,at at time most trying. From
n have fuwed long train Of 5enefts to Us
and to all the world. To it we can trace.
not only oyr msch cherished civil pre-
roga,ises. but he proper enjoyment Of our
numerous natural advantages. n
When we take view of our country as
it is, overAowing with advantages both nat.
ural aud civil, what American heau does
no, leap for Joy that The Fourth Of July was
ever rendered famous by deed, fraught
with so much Of good to the world. andes
pecial.y to usi 1t is true our natural ad-
van,ages might have existed. had liberty
never been secured; but Of what avail would
they have been, WITHOUT liberty Our eli.
mate might have been as favorable as ii is;
our breczes nigh; have been as purs and
sShiIeraiine our rivers might have water
ed as wide and fertile vallies as they do /;
our country might have extended o. far
and as wide as ii does /; YET all would have
been 10 vain had no. lioerty shed its inilu-
ence here. There are countries as noted
for natural advantages as ours. yet their
inhabitants pine and groan, and why I! Ty.
ranny has taken the place Of freedom. Lib
erty is not there. Ancient poets have sung
Of the land Of their birth in many poetic,
but ficiinous strain. Bu. when their glow.
ing pictures are applied to our land, they
become really. We may turn over The pa
g-s thai record the noblest deeds Of the
greatest men of the past. and trace the lines
that portray in fairest colors lteir beau.
ties and glorles, ye, they lose their lus,re
when compared with the page that rec",ds
wha, has 'ranspired in on. country.
in our day. every breeze ,ha. comes to
US from foreign shores brings US glowing
expressions Of the resources Of other lands,
YET every such expression brings with it q
practical proof Of its falsiiy-i, brings US
those who are gladly exchargsng their
boosted lands for ours. Every wave that
breaks upon our shores watts to u those
bo have LEFT the land oi their birth, The
endearmenis and alta chments Of home, and
the graves OF their sires. IL addition 10 ai
their boosted National advantages. 10 find a
home with Us. To one glancing at all the
nations OF the earth, our country would
seem like one grand raIlying point,to which
the oppressed ofevery land are urging their
way. 1, would appear as the wished for
spo, towards which they arc casting their
longing eyes. Every groan that is uttered
beneath ths arm ofoppression. is followed
BY sigh fos the liberties Of America. Ev.
cry wish Of the oppressed for liberty. looks
10 America a tho scene Of hs realization,
if Il is ever to be rediized. Az soon a
,hose in bonds see their letters, they long
(or Arsssica. A sooh as they tread our
soil, their f.ssers fall. Here, no y rant
swaySi Sihis sceptre. No imbecile Hereditary
monaft AoId, sway. No Iordlings tram.
pie their le|iesS bepeith their ess, and
~re.' 'heio teiss. TO sustain
them in ease 87dsury. NJ privileged
cIas,e. are here recognized. Thss favor