The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-07-07
THE FOURTH OF JULY.
The Celebration by the Old Guarsi-Capt
RYnders' Grafton.


The Celebration by the Old Guard-Cspt.
Rynders' Grafton.
Independence day was celebrated by tho Old
Guard, at the Gem Hotel, Broadway, with much
spirit. There we're several Southern gentlemen in
attendance, and the whole number present were
about one hundred and fifty.
Captain Isaiah Rynders was the orator of tho
day, and delivered the following oration:-
Fellow Countrymen ~ on have assembled for the
glorious purpose of celebrating the anniversary of
American Independence day held sacred in the
estimation OF every one who loves his country 1t
is so held, because it is day on which our nation
dates her era of Freedom. and points to it with
pride and exhultation, as the noblest achievement
ever accomplished by human wisdom, intellect, and
bravery. II is q day which, under any circum.
stances, excites the warmest and noblest emotions
Of our hearts; but under the present aspect Of
political affairs, when danger seems TO threaten u.s.
1t ia day which should, and trust will, inspire
every American heart with patriotism, and de-
voti0ntO the Union and the Constitution, as pure
the light Of living truth. And trust that the FIRE
Of liberty and patriotism may ever burn as ar,
that their fidelity and attachment to the Constitu
ton and the Union may be as true and unwavering
rs unchanged and as unchanging, as the great
luminary Of day in his course through the heavens
1t Is now three quarters of century since small
but noble band Of patriots met together, under the
ost trying circumstances, to proclaim to the world
that they were, and Of right ought to be, indepsn-
dent and the still greater principle, that IN an is
no vain boast, or idle declaration; but high and
holy resolve of brave and patriotic men, who pledged
heir lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honors"
for the faithful execution Of their patriotic declara-
ton, or were determined to perish in the attempt.
With firm reliance on the justice of the cause,
and the protection of Divine Providence, they
launched the glorious bark of Freedom, with a
gallant Grew, ard our own noble and godlike
oah mt To- ,Int Ia 49,.
through perilous voyage Of seven years, with
fidelity, patience and perseverance,, which al
most justifes The belief that he was gifted with
attributes more than human. l will net, as is
many pri sations and hardships which had be en-
dured during the revolutionary struggle 1t would be
superHuous to speak to you Of the many brave but
determined battles fought by the friends Of ndepen
by small but determined band of half Glad and
halffed soldery, against well-disciplined troop;
or Of the numerous cases of individual heroism per-
formed during the revolution. The history Of the
had been awakened, that the fire of liberty and
freedom had been kindled, and could not be smoth-
eied by the power of an army Of hired soldiery,
which has ever been the instruments by which ty-
rants have perpetrated their outrages against the
rights and liberties Of the mass of the people. But
these things are matters of history, and strenu-
ously recommend to my countrymen q careful pc
rural Of the history Of the revolution, with the
hope that the noble and glorious examples Of
patriotism and fidelity Of our forefathers, which
are therein portrayed, may yet awaken the linger-
ing sparks OF ths fire Of freedom, which, trust, is
not entirely quenohed in the hearts Of the Amer-
can people. Though fear that, In these times,
when public patriotism is at its lowest ebb, that
the noble examples Of our forefathcrs have been,
in 4 measure, lost upon many Of their sons Of tho
present day, and that We are becoming mors I'M
worthy Of the glorou inheritance which they have
bequeathed us. / fear we do not properly esti-
OYpa fiCa w IN arhi
our independence, nor do We properly appreciate
the invaluable blessings which are derived from
1t, because We have not experienced the hardships
and peril: which had to be encountered to accom-
IN age Of prosperity and happiness unequaGed BY
any contemporary nation. While We have been Q
prosperous republic other nations have experienced
bloody revolutions; monarchies have been over
thrown or left tottering on basis ready to crum-
BILE into ruins upon the commencement of strug-
gle, on the part Of the down-trodden masses, to
throw OF the yoke of despotism which has so long
been fastened upon them. While all Europe has
been convulsed with foreign wars and civil commo-
lions, the United States has steadily progressed in
her march Of civilization, and has concentrated
within her republican borders all tho elements of
national and individual happiness. II may DO re-
Christian era, the free, independent and intelligent
people Of the United States have solved problem
hat some of tho gre stest minds that ever lived
have firmly believed never would be solved afhrms-
# this republic for three-quarters Of century,
he great majority Of the world, at the present
lay, would have firmly adhered to the opinion that
nan is incapable Of self government. The human
mind is so organized, and the vices of society are
% numerous, that even with our successful expert
nent, large portion Of the human race regard the
great problem as still unsolved. True it is, that
We have existed but brief period in the history Of
nations; but we have grown with such aston
sbpg rapidty in numbers, power, aud wealth,
bat our progress and example have astonished the
world Our advancement has even sstonished our
elves, and exceeded a point far beyond the most
aDguinary expectations Of those brave patriots
Who pered their lives in the cause Of our ndepen-
ience. We have, from few dependent colonies,
become the rival in commercial and manufacturing
pursuits Of the greatest nations on the globe. In
me among the nations OF tho earth and second 70
.one in influence, power, and all the natural TO
curces which constitute a great people Wher-
ver civilization hes extended, and commerce pcne-
rated, there our great name is known and respect
d. Our sails whiten every sea, and the glo-
ious Tag Of our Countrywide starspangled
,aDrer-the very name Of which causes every
american heart to beat with patriotic emotions
aid swell with gratitude, affords protection to
ountrymen in the remotess corners Of the globe.
[ be respect for our name, aud our countrys flag,
an only he maintained so long we show ourselves
united people, and continue 70 cherish attach
nent for the Constitution and the Union. Upon
his point, would respectfully solicit the attention
4 my countrymen. / would ask them TO reflect, TO
i've the subject profound and serious copsidera-
ion do this. fclow-citixens, because the present
spcct Of our political affairs, and the sectional
Gritty which exists among us. urgently demand that
ii who feel solicitude for the pcrpetuity Of
government, and the welfare Of our people. should
IA mine carefully every great question, the decision
4 which involves our prosperity, If not our very
stence. would ask, then, whence did We derive
ur unparalleled condition of happiness and general
dvancement of all that dstiDg pushes US as great
nd powerful nation How did we acquire our
omm snding position, In so brief period, among
he great nations Of the earth 7 Whence comes
l at sudden power which causes the hearts Of the
atriots, in every part Of the world to look 10
ouptiy's flag with such deep veneration and almost
NIB eundeo respect And Why lie il, that even mo-
larchcal and despotic powers in every quarter Of
he world regard US NJ formidable rival, able TO
pforce protection 10 interests land aud water,
L home or Ia foreign climel These arc pertinent
questions, my friends, calculated - lead to serious
election. lid we derive all this power and re-
pcct of which have bee speaking from the great
state Of Pennsy lvsnis, "the Keystone" rs she Is
ermcd Of the teocral arch rich IN her agricultural