Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-07-29
GRAFTON


inability, TO do the subject justice which the
occasion demands, has its full show in its
production; but trust you will exercise TINT
noblest trait in the human character, charity;
and thereby excuse any failures which may
make.
We have assembled here upon no ordina-
ry occasion. The celebration of our birth
day as a nation, is one that ought to be peculi-
arly gratifying 70 every American; trust il
is so to us, and will so continue with our pos
terity to the latest time. Il was an era in the
world, that has been productive OF more i'm
portant results to mankind at large, than any
that has ever dawned upon il since creation
Of perhaps we except that which ushered in
the Saviour of n fallen race) That event
brought to man the resurrection of his spirit
ua nature, and raised him from that black
thraldom of religious ignorance and blind su-
lperstition, to position refulgent with Divine
truth: enabling him TO see and contemplate
the beauties and the glories of his creator
The other. rescued him from the iron hand of
unfeeling despotism, which had so long sunk
into the lowest degradation his entire being,
depressing and denoralizing him to the ut
most degree, and placed whore natures truth
shines beautiful and bright, illuminating the
broad basis of his natural rights, teaching
|
vine right of Kings. The right to rule and
kill by the grace of God has with him lost its
charm. He now regards himself a man; en-
dowed by his creator with rights Unsuitable,
and equal to thosJ Of any other, at the same
time he recognizes his responsibility for'their
due exercise.
trust we came here as Americans, with
no other feeling but love of country animatng
! A hon 4 aIln mn
ty feelings, all personal animosities, and here
upon that broad platform Of political equality
laid down by the immortal Jefferson, and up
on which our 'fathers stood and rendered sa-
cred, unite our hands and swear hostility to
oppression of every kind; thus standing with
yon bright emblem of truth lying placidy be-
before us, and the green sward beneath us.
The present patriotism will animate our bo-
SONS and let even that feeling, noble as it is,
be mingled with thanks to Almighty God for
the rich boon which we enjoy and the eye of
him who saith all things shall rest smilingly
upon us, and we shall return TO our homes
happier and better The celebration OF fthose
events. that have marked the history Of ma .
tions has been practiced by mankind from che
earliest periods. The Jews had their pass
over, the Egyptians the celebration of their
sacred mysteries, the Greeks and Romans,
their festivities: but the Americans in the an
niversary of the 4th day of July 1875. instead
of commemmorating an event which marked
the downfall of our Tyrant, that another might
rise in his stead, or the destruction of oIr en-
Hfa that another mighthe. feJeclfd MOOD its
man raco. shall not on this occasion at.
tempt to give you an elaborate account of the
I history of this country, and the causes
which impelled our fore fathers to declare
their independence after parent land,
YOU undoubtedly are as familiar with them.
Suffice il, that the causes which induced the
inhabitants of England to cross the oceans
dangerous deep and seek homo in the saw
age wilds of America, was oppression. The
Pilgrim fathers as they embarked upon the
Mavflower. leaving their kindred and friends
and severing all those ties which bind men
to their country. was driven TO it by oppress-
ion. They fearlessly faced the ocean waves
and bravely endured cold, hunger and disease,
for the sake of enjoying liberty. They
/ brought with them the seeds of that sacred
tree. and when they landed on Plymouth rock
} thev spread them broad cast and deeply did
penetrate old Massachusetts fertile soil; q
tree be utlful aud symetrical in its propo--
e tions sprang forth, and on every leaf was in
g scrbed sacred to Liberty; comes in each sue
y ceeding emigrant partook of its fruit, its fra
GRANGE was wrapped upon every breeze, anC
= as well blot out the sun i'm his meridian splen
$ dor as extermnate it from our soil An(
e when the mother country attempted tina
e black system of subjugation, instituted b!
G George Greenville the most illustrious scoun
= drel that ever graced the councils OF the Brit
4 ish throne it has penetrated every hore Oh tn'
= American character. Ii was this whicr
: made Patrick Henry exclaim with such cleo
: trical effect. "Give me Liberty, or give M
II Death" it was this which stimulated those
= immortal patriots of'76 to pledge their lives
: their fortunes and their sacred honors, in sup
II mort of the declaration of human rights: it wa
!. This that induced the men of the revolution t
J. leave their homes. and boldly face the hostil
i eannons mouth: il was this which induced
n the women of that period to buckle the armo
IF of war upon their husbands, their sons an
v brothers, and spartan like bid them hasten
8 defend their countries rights. We OF thl
e day, fear, know not bow dearly to prize tn
,s glorious boon of which we are the happy re
}; cipients. Let us look for a moment at tn
D. condition of this country at the time our faith
g. ers landed upon her shores. and you sec on
rs vast wilderness. inhabited by savage beast
A. and hordes of men still more savage. Me
". who mover knew feeling of fear or mere.
o, who were invincible, whose system of wa
n. fare was an indiscriminate destruction Of q
n, conditions. ages and sex, whose instrument
ne of torture were the tomahawk the scalpin
" and the beaming faggot, men whose dee
,jI est feelings were revenge, situate three tho'
u. sand miles from any civilized nation, and
te have faint idea of tho hardships they ha
rs to encounter. Those men Of stern unyie
Il. ing spirit, boldly and bravely faced theT
"a. their motto was an independent existence
N. a glorious death. And whether we sec the
y. as they fell the towering pno, or tho sturt
be mountain oak, with the trusty rifle lying
he their side as their only protector and guar
ne or fcarlessly railing on the oceans deep
ce their commercial pursuits. or following u
wiley Indian through the trackless forest
redress their wrongs,or defending their cou
trys rights in her wars with her neighbcc
er, and rivals; or standing up in bold opposlti
lily TO that system OF injustice which the moth
81. country, in her unquonchable lust for pow
1T and dominion wished to impose upon the
the same indomitable spirit is every whe