The republic., 1851-07-12
Spirit or tho Fourth.

we nave iooheu pnloSopnlcally upon the In
dications of the late anniversary. We find al
most everywhere the strongest evidence of
renewed appreciation of the form of govern
ment which has preserved us as nation.
Indeed, it would seem that the events that
have imperilled the Union have inspired the
people with determination to prove, by the
fervor of their celebrations, that it is more dear
than ever, as we value health more when
some terrible pestilence has recently taught us
It's value.
For several years past the annual orations
had grown almost into ridicule. Apostrophes
to liberty were vapid to people who felt no
oppression the boast of power and progress was
scarcely considered in taste by those who knew
no rival, and who feared no foe. The perpetual
cry of " ALPS WELL" in the midst of impregna-
BILE safety, was but monotonous assurance of
an undsputed fact
But the late agitation has had at least the
advantage of rallying around the institutions
of the country band of men who do not ordi-
narily mix in our patriotic demonstrations.
They have excited burst of popular enthusi-
may listen in despair, and which will convince
the enemies of the Union at home that it never
was more firmly established
The demonstrations in the great commercial
cities have been conclusive. The day was
hailed with delight by all ages and orders
The Declaration of Independence was pub
lished in every paper, with articles impress
sive of the great sacrifices and services of
our ancestors, and this without references
TO party divisions. The corporate authori-
ties have appropriated large sums for fire.
works and festivals general license of gun
powder has been given. The natal day of
political salvation has rivaled in the demon
straton Of noise and delight the great anniver-
sary of christendom. Then there have been
crowded excursions to the seat of che National
Government to witness the ceremonial of the
day, and general outpourng of the people to
testify the happiness of free American citizens
at all the places Of public resort accessible from
the cities.
We would there were no contrasts to these
bright colors We wish that the harp of ma
tional harmony sung its anthems without dis
cordant note. But we grieve that in one portion
of the vast Confederacy the American flag is
furled in contempt, and the charter of our free
dom stigmatized as an instrument OF bondage
From what unhappy fatality kindness has
been construed into spite, national brotherhood
into sectional hostility, concession and forbear-
ance into oppression and encroachment, the
honest performance of public duty into an in
vasion Of local rights, we cannot imagine
Why our Union should shower, as from an urn,
every blessing Of freedom and prosperity upon
thirty members of a family, and pour out dust
and bitterness upon one, and that one differing
from many others neither in laws, language,
labor, products, nor location, we admit to be in
explicable.
Can it be the unhappy malady of the mind
which looks on friends as foes, on protection as
peril, upon that which was once most loved as
now most to be hated, upon those who were
once most trusted as now most deserving sus-
pcion2 Such is the dark delusion that 'stakes
the reason prisoner" Such must be the delu-
sion that makes one of the sister States withdraw
from the celebration Of a common anniversary,
and cloud the feast, to which all else repair de.
lighted, with anger and reproach. May the de-
lusion pass speedily away