Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1850-07-17

we lay OeI0re our reauerS lo-uay Tie
Address and Grafton delivered on this oc-
casion. The usual correspondence, re-
ques,ing the Speakers to furnish copies for
publication, we omit for want Of space.
ADDRESS
BY Mr.. WILLIAM B. SHACKELFORD,
INTRODUCTORY TO THE READING OF THE
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have assembled to-day to commemo-
rate the seventy-fourlh anniversary Of our
country's independence, and pay the annual
tribute Of our veneraion and respect 10 the
memory Of those noble patriots that achiev-
ed it.
II is gratifying to know that we can as
semble upon such an occasion and for such
purpose-that we can enj oy this precious
privilege, as an inheritance transmitted to
US by our brave and patriotic ancestors
Unworthy indeed would we be to enjoy the
blessings of liberty and the name of free
men, if we omitted to give so humble .es-
timony Of our gratitude, for the wisdom and
patriotism, virtues and sufferings of those
who spent their blood and sacrificed their
lives upon the altar Of liberty, to lay the
foundation of this great Republic.
1t is noble and innate faculty Of the hu-
man soul, that enables US fully and justly
to appreciate the character and services of
the iIlustrious dead. This day should ever
be dear and sacred TO the memory of A.
merican freemen. |, is the birthday of our
freedom. In the history Of the world it
stands as the period which marks the devel-
opment of those divine principles of civil
and religious freedom which had so long
slept a, The foot of the ,yrant's throne. II
stands IS all eternal monument 10 the mem
ory of that brave and feeble band of patriots,
who, by giving their signatures to this De-
claraton of independence, jeopardiseJ their
own lives and the lives of their children,
their fortunes, and all that was dear to them.
III defence Of those sacred principles
Many good and brave men Of that day ex-
pressed feelings Of horror al the idea sepa-
rating from their mother country. To them
il appeared utterly impossible for few fee
bic colonies 10 contend successfully against
the most powerful nation on earth. To
them the idea of independence presented the
scene Of the infant struggling to release i,sel'
from the iron clutches of the merciIess lion.
Not SO did it appear to the minds of
George Washington, Patrick Henry and
John Adams. With souls truly inspired
with an ardent love for humanity and the
rights of humanity, their mighty intelec.s
could penetrate the dark clouds Of despair,
that environed the minds of their compa,ri-
OTIS and threatened 10 bias, forever the pros
pect of freedom, and behold the bright beams
Of liberty that would suffuse happiness and
prosperity over the land Of their children.
Under the influence Of that torrent Of elo-
quence that poured increasingly from the
souls of Henry and Adams, as from divine
source, our ancestors rushed gloriously to
the battle field 10 contend agains, the oppres-
sion and cruelty of British tyranny. Preju-
dices in favor Of a connexion with England
and the English constitution, gradually but
rapidly yielded to republican principles and
desire for independence. Accordingly our
heroic ancestors assembled on the fourth
day ofJuly, seventeen hundred and seventy
six, 10 proclaim to the world their de,ermi-
nation to be freemen. With loud cheers of
enthusiasm the news of the declaration was
received by our revolutionary armies then
in the field. The contest between subjects
and their acknowledged sovereign was a, an
end, and with firm belief in The justice of
their cause, they fought long and we'll, till
the struggle, like the departing rays of the
setting sun, ended, only to give birth to a
day more G lorious and resplendent with the
beams Of future prosperity and happiness
than had ever shone upon the existence of
man.
1t is fit that should stop here and speak
of him who is justly styled the Father of
his Country. For me to attempt eulogy
upon the character Of that great and good
man, would be 'to gild refined gold or paint
the lily." 1t is but necessary to mention
the name OF George Washington, and memo
ry will instinctively cling around the noble
deeds of the hero, the statesman, and the
patriot. To him is indebted nation for its
liberty. 10 him is due the eternal homage