Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-07-06

AT Richland. Onslow county, on Thursday,
the 18th instant.
AT jacksonville, Onslow county, on Friday,
the goth instant.
At Sandy Run, New Hanover county. on
Saturday, the 21si instant.
Qua SEVENTY THIRD AENIvERsARY.-0n
Wednesday last, the people of the United
States, throughout the whole length and
breadth of The country, were engaged in cele-
bratng the annual recurrence of that day
which witnessed our birth as free and indie
pendent nation. A day which has become
hallowed in the recollection, not only of eve
~ citizen of the United States, but of every
patriot throughout the world, wherever man
strikes blow for freedom, or dares assert the
dignity of human nature.
Such celebrations are not only valuable as
carrying us back 10 the stirring scenes of the
Revolutien-recalIing TO oul minds the un-
flinching courage and >elf sacrificing devotion
with which men pledged their lives, their for
tunes, and their sacred honor, for their conn
Try. and the answering patriotism with which
they rallied around her banner in the darkest
hour of her history. unawed by power and
undismayed by defeat but they have still
higher object and boiler mission. While
they look back TO the past, they ever point 10
the future. While they speak of common
origin and mutual struggle, they eloquently
rebuke every attempt to dissolve Union con-
secraed by such associations and cemented by
the blood of so many patriots. They look
forward to glorious destiny in the future,
extending throughout untold ages, when pres
ent factions and iealousies shall have passed
away and been forgotten.
The 4th of July should always be regarded
as great national Sabbath, sacred to the ge.
MUS of liberty and independence around
whose altar men of all political creeds and
opinions should upon that day meet together
to offer up their mutual oblations upon the
shrine of their common country. and, laying
aside every feeling of prejudice, only remem-
Der their solemn obligations as American citi-
zens Surely nothing can exceed in moral
grandeur the spectacle which our country then
presents, when twenty millions OF free peo'
pie, though scattered over vast continent,
and separated by thousands of miles, YET meet
together in spirit. and feel that in their great
ends and aims-in their devotion 10 liberty
triots by whom it has been achieved, they are
one That from the Atlantic to the Pacific
from Maine to Texas, whatever local prejudi-
ces or sectional feelings may have arisen, they
all, upon that day. give place TO the nobler
distinction of American citizenship, and the
proud feeling OF national greatness.
The day was celebrated in this town by
the firing of guns, hosting flags, and the usual
expressions of national rejoicing, About 9
O'Clock A. NJ, a civil and military procession.
headed by the Clarendon Horse Guards. in
uniform and on foot-the Burgwin Rifemen,
a new company, in citizens costume-the
ITALIAN Association, &c.-and brought up by
the orator. reader, and other officers of the
procession, and by "citiZens in general"-
formed al the Carolina Hotel, preceded by a
band OF music. and marched 10 the Methodist
livered by VIM HILL, Esq, who had been Sc
lected for that purpose by the committee ap-
pointed at the meeting of the military, held in
the Masonic Hall, few weeks since. Upor
the arrival of the procession at the Church
the exercises OF the day were opened By pray
er from Rev. A. P. REpIroN. after which JOSH
IA G. WRIGHT, ESQ.,, arose, and, having allud
ed in few brief. but eloquent remarks 10 tn
circumstances and associations connected will
the Declaration of America independence
ner, 10 read that immortal document. Whe
the reading of the Declaration had been con
cluded, Mr.. HILL proceeded to deliv on
of the most cbaste and beautiful addresse
which it has ever been our fortune TO hear
His illustrations OF the power of as<ociatio
on the human mind. and its influence in tn
formation of national character were peculiar
" felicitons, and when he pointed 10 the day
of Tell and the earlier triumphs of Switzer
land. and, turning from them TO the preser
time showed what influence the recollectio
of those days had exerted in keeping alis
the spirit of independence in the bosom of Il
Swiss mountaineer, we thought his languas
was "beautiful exceedingly" But we
not mean to pariicularize, and will conclut
bysexpres<ing hope that the address may
published, as we are certain it would be eve
more approved in the reading than the hea
ing. During the day, several excursions we
started, and the Rechabites had celebrate
in the afternoon. AT night the Theatre WI
crowded TO witness the performances OF Il
Italians. for the benefit of the National Mo-
ument fund. A collection was also taken u
at the Church for this purpose. We shou
think that between the collection. and Il
proceeds of the Italians exhibition. ver
respectable sum was raised. We have n
heard OF any accident during the day.
0c-At the close OF Mr.. Folks administer
ton,s there weEe 374 democrats in Office
Washington and 2S6 wings