Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-07-04
The Fourth,

On the Fourth day of July, 1776, the thirteen United
States, American colonies, shuled off the coil of Brit
ish tyranny and supremacy, and became Independent
sovereign States. 1t seemed as il the dreams of the
Platonsts at last realized in that ever-to be-re.
membered act. 1t seemed if the holy idea of "Li-
berry, which religion and philosophy had nutured
for ages, in the depths Of the human soul had now
seen the hour of its full fuiton, and was about to dis
pense its blessings over the universal world The
King grew pale at this grand negation of his divine
right to Cypress his fellow men, and the arstocrat de-
nounced, in the bitterness of his heart this browning
act OF practical contempt for his family traditions
while the down rodden and oppressed in every land
hailed as the sure forerunner of his own deyerance
This republic was the first fruit of the democratic idea
pure and simple-the idea of Christianity made law.
SAID Richard Henry Lee, on the 4th of July 1776, in
anticipation ofthe suspicious BIRTH eWhy them sir do
we longer delay? Why still deliberate? Let this hap
Ply day give birth to an American Republic Let her
arise not to devasate and conquer but to reesabsh
the reign of peace and law. The eyes of Europe are
upon US; she demands of living example Of freedom
that may exhibits contrast in the felicity Of the citizen
to the ever increasing tyranny which desolates her pol
luted shores. She invites to prepare an ASYLUM.
where the unhappy may find soace, and the prosecuted
repose She entreats cultivate the generous plant
OF liberty that may revive and flourish shelerng I'm
der Its saubrous and interminable shade all the unfor
tunate OF the human race" And when the solemn de
bate was Finished and the irrevocabe ave was spoken
the great bell Of the State House at Philadelphia runs
out the glad tidngs of ''Lbqty throughout all the land
unto all the inhabitants thereog''
The Fourth of July, which we this day celebrate It'll
every demonstration of pride and joy was day
Grated by the fathers of country to the genius
universal liberty "We hold these truths to be sef-ey
ldent, that all men are created equa that they are en-
lowed byther Cleator with certain unalienabe rights
that among these, are life, liberty, and the pursuit OF
happiness" was the declaration of our sres when an
pealing to the immaculate God in justification of the
principles Of Freedom they pledged their lives and for
tunes TO their establishment and appealed to poserty
for their sustenation.
And, inasmuch as we are true to the principles OF
that Declaration and faithful to our fathers appeal so
are we this day worthy to worship the shrine which
reared by their hands We dare not shut our eve,
to the selaccusatoy fact, that while they were true
freedom, their posterty have, nation, recedec
from that rock Of principles upon which they panet
their feet; and have, the calls Of an arrogant mnor
ty osered institution in the bosom of this republic
that threatens at future day. subyert the prn
cples of liberty which we this day profess to love- Il
view ofthis fact, the Fourth of July becomes an ac
cusaon and reproach US, unless, as free American
citizens, we individually pledge ourselves, in solemn
league and covenant to the refrigeration Of the prnci
pies to which it is consecrated, and to restoration
that purity OF public opinion, by which those principles
can alone be upheld. To us, the Fourth is no sensua
Lupercalia, day Of soul-less mmery and speciou
spectacle, it day Of solemn circumstance and salu
fury remembrance; and long the republican pro
blem of universal liberty is perfectly solved in th
country, it will continue be both our glory and on
shame, cur reproach and the momento of our fathers
tolls aud unulGed hopes. But, there is an inspiration
in the memory of this days purpose, and the POSSIBLE
, nay certainty of its full development, which is bet
ter to cherish than are vain regrets.