The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1852-11-04
speech OFF. G. shannon ESQ.

language is eloquent and beautiful beyond des-
cription, and we commend it to the careful per-
usal of every citizen in Cambria.
ssMen of Cambria what though you live un
der a chilling sky and severe climate? What
though your sun is oftentimes obscured by robes
of mountain mist? In some respects, you are
far better and happier than the dwellers in the
valleys. The very air you breathe invigorates,
refreshes and strengthens.
There is beautiful flower, which, refusing
to open under the genial light and warmth of
the sun, blooms only in the shades and dark
ness of night-the glorious night-blooming Ger
eus. And so, as the history of mankind attests,
the precious flower of freedom blooms the brigh
test and the best beneath the frowning skies and
amidst the snow drifts of the mountain regions.
Look at the past and let it answer. Look atthe
deeds of valor that occurred in the mountain
passes ofthe Tyrol, and in brave old Switzer-
land. What spirit was it that nerved the stout
arm of William Tell to break down the tyranny
which yoked the liberties of his country to the
bloody car of despotsm! That manly and free
born courage still animates his descendants 1t
survives, out of the shock of revolutions and the
crash of empires, to guard and preserve the ma
tionality of Switzerland, whilst the sunny plains
and fertile valleys watered by the Po and the
Arno are fast locked in the iron fetters of sla-
very.
CHANGING across the broad page of history,
let us pause under the shadows of lofty Ben
Lomond, or upon the wild crags of Ben Nevis,
and call to recollection the heroic deeds and
chivalrous actions of Wallace and Bruce, in at
testation of the fact that in the ages gone by,
Freedom always found her surest and truest
in mountain home, by the fount
of the rock and amid the noise of the misty
stream. This truth is also beautifully and ap-
recognized by the emblem ON our
fag-for where has the Eagle his home?
'sThe eag gle and the stork
On cliffs aud cedar tops their eyries build
Around me 1 many whose fathers, flying
from the banks of the Severn and the Conway,
to avoid the strangers harsh rule, came at an
early day to the pine forests and awful soli-
tudes of the Alleghenies, in pursuit Of the free
dom denied to them at home They brought
with them the old language and the ancient ira
litions of their country, which still preser-
ved around your fresides and in your temples.
graveyard, forms a touching and
episode in the history of this Coun-
ty. The hawthorn still fourishes by the bank
Of the stream, and trees growing by the old
hearth-stone. The seats of your fathers are de-
serted; the roofs have all fallen in. But tell me
ye1snmen, what spirit was 1t, that, on Snuwdon !
md Cader Idris, in times long gone by, urged
your fathers, the descendants of the ancient
Britons, to resist the destroying sword of the
Saxon, until the mountain streams ran red with
blood?
The love of liberty and sturdy independence
ire the great characteristics of the mountain
eer.
San iron race the mountain cliffs maintain:
For where unwearied sinews must be found
With side long plough to quell the f1iEty ground;
To turn the torrents swift descending flood;
To tame the savage rushing from the wood
What wonder if, to patient valor train'd,
They guard with spirit what by strength they
gaind.
And so their rocky ramparts round they see.
The rough abode of toll and liberty"
Bravery and Democracy here, indeed, sit en-
hroned on the hearts of the people, bravery
that yields not to the bravado of foreign foes,
md Democracy which swerves not from the
inc of principles. When recently the rights of
our country were invaded by an insulting foe
md the trumpet of war sounded throughout the
and, the men of Cambria answered to the call
is quickly and cheerfully as the followers of
Roderick Dhu in Clan-Alpine's glen, responded
% the shrill whistle of their chieftain.
And in the last political contest although low
md insulting appeals were made to induce you
% desert the candidates of your party, and
hose principles of governmental policy for
which you have so often battled, yet you prompt
v rejected the sophistcal allurements of whig-
eery, and most nobly sustained the of
Democracy. All honor to Cambria county =
All praise to her well-tried and generous DEM
,cracy
But another contest approaches. A still
-reater effort must be made. Let the victory
# the 10Th of October be considered merely as
he prelude to the grand, national tragedy OF
lext Tuesday, in which Whiggery must again
ct the ps :. of the vanquished. Let every DEM
crat consider it an act of solemn duty to be
present at the polls upon that day. And In
oncluson let us all remember the words of the
Jackson-(LE US PUT OUR SHOULDERS
o THE WHEEL, PRAY TO COP FOR STRENGTH, AND
UsH ON THE COLUMN. II
Lucky Presentiment. II
correspondent of the Alexandria Gazette,
peaking of late visit to England says
81 had gone to Gravesend with the view of ta-
ing passage, but an incident prevented. A