The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1852-07-24


sovereign voter a dignity, a conse-
quence, a manly and Independent sem
timent and feeling which is at once
gratifying and ennobling to his nature,
Yea, that precious privilege of the free
man, small as it may seem, of putting
a little ticket into the ballot box, has
more that is happy and beneficial in
It's results than most people dream of.
The happy effects of the free institu-
tlons OF our government are felt, too to
superior degree in the free opening
they present 10 all who attain 10 success
and happiness in the walks of private
life, and to distinction and honor in pub
lie. With us every man stands upon the
most perfect equality in the freedom of
his actions and his choice of destiny
With US the road to competency, TO
wealth, to usefulness and honor, the
path TO greatness and the way 10 glory,
are free. The posts of political trust,
and the places of power, are equally ac-
cessible to all. There is no station,
however high, for the exclusive benefit
of the rich; no prize, however valuable,
that may not be won by the poor. The
field of enterprise is ever open to all,
without distinction, and merit is sure 10
meet its fullest reward And filled
with the ardent zeal and Iaudable am
bitlon with which such privileges are
wont TO inspire the mind, and with
spirits as bold and independent as the
proudest mobiles of earth, the children
of Republican America have gone on
ward, the most thrifty toilers for pros
perity, the most successful pioneers of
progress, and the most skillful inventors
of gigantic mprovements.
And throughout American society
we behold the happy results of this
superior principle and spirit of freedom
and equality which characterize our
government and pervade its institu-
tionS. ltis this that has given a superior
impetus and activity to those moral and
religious agencies which have impart-
ed TO our society its generally high,
moral and religious character 1t is
this that has put in operation those
educational means that have given to
it its superior degree of intelligence
and intellectual culture. 1t is this that
49, - L~-.->..h If
industry and occupation an unwonted
energy and spirit of enterprise, has
given to it its unparalleled state of
physical comfort, prosperity and happi-
ness. No monarchy upon the face of
the earth-not even the best of them
can boast of a state of society where
reli gion and morality, where knowl-
edge and intellectual cultivation, where
prosperity, plenty and happiness abound
as in that of our own favored land And
for these things are we indebted to the
noble principles of the Declaration, aud
TO our fathers who transmitted them to
us as our politiaI heritage.
And what has been our nations pro-
gress, in extent, in population, in power
and in greatness under the benign rule
of free and republican principles2 And
what now is her position and influence
among the nations of the earth? To-
day, fellow-citizens, our " star-spangled
banner" is waving in its beauty and lis
pride over thirty-two free and indepen-
dent States of our Union. From the
dark waving forests of Maine, to the
fower-gemmed glades of Texas-from
the rock bound shores of the Atlantic,
to where the gentle Pacific laves land
of gold-the mingled acclamation of
millions of freemen, re-
joicing in the return of this great day
of Americas jubilee, tell of our nations
and prosperity, her power and
her greatness. And the exile's voice
that will be blended this day with our
nations, in its offering to freedom, tells
that not only is our land happy home
for her own children, but that it is also
a refuge where the unsuccessful and
prosecuted champions of freedom of
other lands may come and find safe
retreat from the cruelties of tyranny
And, to-day, while our nation is rejoic-
ing in its own enjoyment of freedom,
we may not easily estimate the inhu-
ence she is exerting upon other nations
in leading them too TO shake off the
yoke of tyranny and be also free. She
has caused to be kindled in the nations
of the old world spirit of liberty which
cannot be quenched, and which, though
hard may be its struggle, is destined to
lay the thrones and crowns of Europe
in the dust, and TO erect on their ruins
the nobler republican edifice. Inspired
by our success in freedoms career,
others are aspiring to like political