Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-07-01
Railroad Meeting!


We are sorry to see so little patriot SIN
exhibited by our citizens in the celebration
OF the Anniversary Of our Nations natal
day. We did hope that our people would,
in some way or other, manage to have this
day pass over with more than ordinary in
terest. We do not intend to censure any
one for this lack Of duty, but we wish mere
ly to say few words upon the Importance
of noticing this day as an enlightened pco-
pie have universally declared it shall be.
Should we be charged with being less pa
trlotic than our eastern friends, there is not
one Of us but would resent such an asser-
ton rs a gross insult. Still we know of
no better criterion in times of peace, by
which to Judge of the patriotism of peo-
pie, than by observing the manner in which
they celebrate the anniversary of that day
which ushered into existence q country
whose foundation is liberty, and whose
summit is freedom.
1t is tie duty every parent owes to
their country, to instil into the minds Of
their children strong and abiding love of
shat country. The first lessons of the nur-
sery should be Of God and truth, the next
of Liberty and Union. Let the rising gen.
Grafton be Indifferent to their country's
welfare and prosperity, and it is but short
step to dissolution and humiliation. AS
long as the love Of country is prcdomi-
nant trait in the American character, so
long will the union Of the States exist,
but just so soon as this trait is uncared
for, dissolution and discord will oDstruct
the wheels of government, and when they
cease to revolve, not only our country needs
weep, but nations of the old world will des-
pair of ever ameliorating their tyrannical
and oppressive condition. The union Of
the States is in the hands Of the people.
ans ouss 1..-iadiKidual or party Of iniiyidu-
the people, and whenever they shall grow
weary Of governing themselves, then, by
their consent, the union will be dissolved,
and man declared incapable of self govern.
ment. ..
Such deplorable state of affairs can
never exist among patriotic class of peo-
ton now upon the theatre Of action to say
whether the generation to follow shall be
wanting in this trait. We can see no earth
ly reason that can be produced against eel
cbrating this day as John Adams in his
memorable speech on the day preceding the
public declaration of independence, then
prophesied it would be. "They will celebrate
it," said he, s'with thanksgiving, with fes-
tivity, with bonfrss, and illuminations.
On its annual return, they will shed tears,
ccpioas, gushing tears, not of subsection
and slavery, not of agony and distress, but
of exultation, of gratitude and of glory"
Now, boys we say, bring out the cannon,
musket, Indian crackers, sky-reckets; build
bonfres, and celebrate the day as did some
of the heroes of the revolution fight their
battlcs-on your own hook. If your fathers
will not lead the example, establish prece-
dents yourselves, and make the welkin ing
next Monday far and near with your glad
shouts. Make noise some way or other.
Try and wake up the sleeping lethargy of
the older heads, and prevail on them to un-
derstand that Fourth of July. is the an
niversary of the day that declared US free
and independent
Our worthy Mayor does not expect very
orderly and quiet city on the Fourth, there
fore, we say, boys, make as much noise as
you please. Do it in respectful and dig
niiied manner, if you can; but any way
make noise.