Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-07-05

W
hArTo-day is our National Jubilee, the anniver-
sary of the creates, event in the history of this OF any
nation. Seventy-three years ago to-day, the Thirteen
American colonies were declared free and independent
of the Mother country, whose insults and oppression
had become too gricvous longer to be borne seven
~ty-three years ago to-day, that immortal band of pa
triOts, appealing to God to evidence the rectitude Of
their intentions. and ~pledging to each other their
lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor, COM
United the cause o. Liberty to His care. and put their
hands to that immortal instrument which has con-
ferred such unspeakable blessings upon the thronging
millions who will this day meet to celebrate the
Great Event.
Ii is peculiarly appropriate on the annual recur-
renee of this day that the usual avocations of life should
be laid aside, that party and sect should be forgotten,
social distinctions and adventitious circumstances OBJ
liberated that all private differences, malice, heart
burnings and piques should be buried out of sight,
and the whole people, young, old, and middle-aged,
rich and poor, the learned and the unlearned, should
give way to emotions of patriotism. and profound
gratitude that God enabled the men of the Revolution
to achieve their independence that its innumerable
benefits are extended unimpaired to us and that es
the result of the great event which is this day CON-
Hicu1OTuleus uu dSyiu0 IL u IClu9G d Occu stu
Iished here in this western world, to which the OPP
pressed of all Nations may flee for shelter and find
welcome and a home. Not only so, but we may
justly be proud of the unparalleled prosperity and
greatness of our Nation. which is at once the Ex-
ample and the Beacon of all who struggle and sigh
for liberty everywhere, and the particular Terror of
the Kings and Despots of the old world. But it is
not our purpose to enlarge upon this pleasing theme.
1t will be better done by others.
The following letters of John Adams, the first to
his wife, written the day after the Declaration of In
dependence was signed, and the other to Mr.. Heze-
kiah Niles, then editor of Niles's Register. will be
found to possess peculiar interest
Letter Of John Adams TO his Wife.
PHILADELPHIA, July 5, I776.
Yesterday, the greatest question was decided which was
ever debated in America, and greater, perhaps, never
was or will be decided among men. A resolution WAS
passed, without a dissenting colony, THAT THESE UNI
TED STATES ARE, AND OF RIGHT OUGHT TO BE, FREE
AND ISDEPESDEST STATES.
The day is passed. The fourth of July, 1776, will be
a memorable epoch in the history of America. / am apt
TO believe Il IciH be celebrated by succeeding generations
as a great anniversary Festival. 1t ought 10 be com.
memorated as the day of delireranee, by solemn acts of
devotion to Almighty God. Ii ought to be solemDized
with pOmp, SkOcS, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfres,
and Examinations from one end of The country to the other,
from this time forIard forerer more. You will think me
transported with enthusiasm, but | am not. am well
aware OF Toll, dnu DlpOO, ana treasure, INA " VIII
cost to maintain this Declaration and support and defend
these States yet through all the gloom | can see the
rays Of light and glory-l can see that the end is worth
more than all the means, and that posterity will triumph,
though you and l may rue, which l hope we shall not.
am, &c, JOHN ADAMS
QUINCY, February Is, 1918.
Mr.. NLEs-The American Revolution was not a
common event. Its effects and consequences have al
ready been awful over a great part of the globe. And
when and where are they TO cease?
But what do we mean by the American Revolution ?
Do we mean the American WARP The Revolution was
was ia the minds and hearts of the people. A change
in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obliga-
lions. While the king and all in authority under him
were believed TO govern in justice and mercy according
10 the laws and constitution derived TO them from the
God Of nature, and transmitted to them by their ances-
iors-they thought themselves bound to pray for The king
and queen and all the royal family, and all in authority
under them as ministers ordained of God for their good.
But when they saw those powers renouncing all the
principles Of authority, and bent upon the destruction of
all the securities of their lives, liberties, and properties.
they thought il their duty to pray for the continental
Congress, and all the thirteen State Congresses.
There might be, and there were others, who thought
less about religion and conscience, but had certain habit
ual sentiments Of allegiance and loyalty derived from
their education but believing allegiance and protection
TO be reciprocal, when protection was Withdrawn, they
thought allegiance was dissolved.
Another alternative was common to all. The people
of America had been educated in an babitual affection
for England as their mother country and while they
thought her a kind and tender parent, Enormously
Duk W. vi tnO W q coCu u blntI UD
affection could be more sincere. Bot when they found
her a cruel beIdsm, willing, like lady Mackbeih, to
''dash their brains out" it is no wonder IL their 6Iial aE
feeIions ceased, and were changed into indignation and
horror.
This radical change in the principles, opinions, senti-
ments and affections of the people, was the real Ameri-
can Revolution.
By what means, this great and important alteration in
the religions, moral, political, and social character Of the
people of thirteen colonies, all distinct, unconuected, and
independent Of each other, was begun, pursued, and &C.
compished, IL is surely interesting to humanity to inves-
tgafe, and perpetuate to posterty.
TO this end it il greatly TO be desired that young gen.
tIemen Of letters in all the States, especially in the thir-
teen original States, would undertake the laborious, but
certainiy interesting and amusing task, Of searching and
collecting all the records, pamphlets, newspapers, and
even band-biIIs, which in any way contributed to change
the temper and visws of the people, and compose them
into an Independent nation.
The colonies had grown up under constitutions OF GO
vernment so different, there was SO great a variety Of re-
Iigion, they were composed OF so many different nations,
their customs. manners and habits had go little resem-
blance. and their intercourse had been . rare, and their
knowledge Of each other 80 imperfect, that TO unite them
in the same principles in theory, and the same system of
nclion, was certainly a very difficult enterprise. The
complete accomplishment of IL, in so short a time, and
by such simple means, was perhaps, a singular example
in the history OF mankind. Thirteen clocks were made
TO strike together a perfection in mechanism which no
artist had ever before effected.
Ia this research, the giorioroles OF individual gentle
men and Of separate States were OF little consequence.