The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-04
I Ii h Il L 7 u BLIC.
" AS II | N G TO N:
THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 4, 1850.

This day, which marks the seventy fourth
year of the Independence of the United States.
and which is the anniversary of an event mem
orable in the annals Of the world and held in
especial reverence by every true son of the
American Republic, comes upon us, it were.
suddenly; in the midst of Unusual agitation and
distraction in the public councils and the most
painful anxiety in the public mind. We are
startled by It's advent--as though the spirit Of
70, IN the majestic aspect OF the FATHER of his
Country, came like awful apparition TO
lrown upon the scene of our dscord and conten-
lion. and to rebuke, with paternal severity, the
sectional, selfish, and fanatcal passions which
have been allowed SO long TO disturb the peace
and To threaten the unity of the country
Most assuredIy, if there has been time,
since the delivery of the Farewell Address,
when the counsels of WssHISGroN should be
needed with especial reverence, when his warn
ing voice should be heard in its most impressive
accents, that time is now. We present to our
readers to-day that invaluable repository of
wisdom--not less prophetic than proiound-of
patriotism pure as 1t was ardent. Perhaps
II may result that the modest hope which he ex-
pressed, when he offered TO his countrymen these
counsels, as he styles them, ''of an old and
ailectionate friend, !" may obtain some measure
of fulilment-the hope, not that they would
make the strong and lasting impressions we
could wish; "but," he adds, elf | may even
ilatter myself that they may be productive Of
some partial benefit, some occasional good; that
they may now and then recur to moderate the
fury Of party spirit; TO warn against the mis-
chiefs Of foreign intrigues; to guard against the
impostures of pretended patriotism; this hope
will be full recompense for the solicitude for
your welfare by which they have been die
lated"
We might here suspend comment aud leave
the Farewell Address to speak for itself in
its own emphatic language. II will do that;
nor can any comments add 10. or diminish, the
grand massiveness Of its unity as an embodi-
ment Of the best practical precepts ever given
10 a free, sefgoveFning people. We have
spoken, however. Of its wisdom as being not
less prophetic than profound; and. az more
than half century has elapsed since these
solemn injunctions became legacy 10 the
country. and as each generation is marked by
characteristics and circumstances differing more
or less from those that distinguished preceding
oues--it may not be out Of place to note. even
though it be in a brief and imperfect way. the
remarkable adaptation of the most impressive
iujunctions Of WlsHNGToS TO the now con
tingencies which now surround MS "a test the
stability Of our institutions.
No one, we are sure. can read the Farewell
Address of the FIRST President without per
ceiying distinctly that the unity Of government
which constitutes ms one people was, OF all
other things. the nearest to his heart. We Of
later days, accustomed 10 regard the Union as a
matter Of course. which indeed il is. are not
apt to appreciate its essential connexion with
our happiness as pcople-just as we seldom
think Of the inestimable blessing of the light
and genial warmth Of the sun, being ~ accus
TONED to them. But in the early days Of the
republic. when, under the happy auspices Of
the first administration, the blessings Of a
united national government came like rovea
tious of a new state Of political being realized
practically we may well comprehend the pro
found solicitude Of WASHINGTON for the pre-
servalion, the stability, the perpetuity of this
grand bulwark ofour prosperity. and greatness,
and glory as a nation. The future growth Of
the country, developing from time to time
new clements Of public wealth and strength,
might also, in the apprehensive view Of the
wise patriots Of that day, give birth TO
new causes Of alienation in the different
sections OF the Union, and thus impair and
weaken the main pillar in the edifce Of our
real independence-th support of our tranquil
lily at home, our peace abroad. of our safety. of
our prosperity, Of that very liberty which we