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


here to-day to commemorate no COM
mon event, no ordinary occurrence, in
the history of the world. Among the
vast array of great events, of heroic
deeds and splendid achievements that
marks the annals of our race, no nations
record contains upon its scroll one that
approaches, in the grandeur of its char
acter or the magnitude of its results
and Influences, to that of which This
day is the proud and honored anniwr-
sary. Yea, it is the Incompatible and
thrice hallowed event that gave bith
to our nation-the day-spring of AmGi-
can independence-the dawn of Amtri-
can freedom-and which was proclaim
ed to the world in the inspired language
of that glorious Declaration which we
have just heard read, that We have met,
like American patriots, to celebrate
The day we meet to honor, fellow
citizens. was the beginning of our na-
TONS existence, and the ushering in of
a new era in the political condition of
man. And this observance If its an
nual return is not only prope as the
offering of gratitude and homo, of the
patriot fathers of '76, but it has also its
salutary uses in inspiring our own
hearts with a livelier spirit of patriotism
with a deeper love of our superior
political and national blessings, and
higher appreciation of their value and
of the Importance of their preservation.
And to-day we stand three-quarters
Of century from our national inde-
pendence; we are just closing the 10th
annual page of our Republican history.
And, fellow-citizens, the question ua-
turally arises in the mind here: What
are the lessons of this brief period g.
What has been, and is still being ac-
complished? Or, rather, what are the
peculiar and superior blessings Of a
government founded upon those great
principles of human rights and liberty
laid down in the Declaration of Inde-
pendence? We may say that we enjoy
civil, religious and political freedom
to their fullest extent; we may say
that we enjoy the privilege of making
to suit ourselves the laws that shall
govern US; we may say that in religious
matters we ale free 10 think and act
as nnr nun indnrants NAV dictate yua
may say that our temples of justice are
open and accessible alike to all. where
all may come and assert and obtain
their rights; and yet these great bless
ings, inestimable as they are, are but
the centres, the radiating points, from
which emanate the innumerable moral,
social and political elements which
render our people this day the happiest,
most prosperous and progressive nation
of the earth.
1t may be said in general that the
influence and tendency of our political
system. and the genius and spirit of our
free institutions, are such as to inspire
the mind of man with the highest and
most ennobling sense and appreciation
of his true dignity, to impel him on
with noble ambition and untiring en-
ergy to the full developement of his
nature, to the highest improvement of
his physical condition, and to the loftiest
attainable elevation in art, in knowl-
edge and in virtue.
Iti one of the happiest achievements
of the establishment of our form of
government in its character and infu-
ences that it has reversed the old order
of things in the relative position and
power of the governing and the govern
ed. Not only is it such as the institu-
tion and observance of great principle
of political right in itself, but also in
its many minor results and tendencies.
In monarchieal governments we see
the few who happen to be born of
blood by virtue of that acci-
dent ruling over the many There the
feU are sovereigns by birth, and the
many are their servants; but with US
the people themselves are the only
sovereigns known, and the rulers and
holders of office are their servants
Political and official station and power
are here the gifts of the people; from
their hands must it be obtained by those
who would possess it, and to them only
are the servant Office holders RESPONSE
Bile for its use. And what is the effect
of this state of things on the conduct
and department of those who seek to
wait on the dear people? We need
only revert to an election to show it,
Look at the candidate-the would-be
servant Of us sovereigns-as he solicits
their favor and support in an election
campaign. Why, he is all condescen-
sion, all .complaisance, smiles and socia-
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