Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-07-08
THE FOURTH OF JULY.

Unnumbered thanks to the benign Providence
that rules the destinies Of this People, and finds
them still politically united and prosperous beyond
example on this recurrence of the anniversary of its
independence! With the exception of two wars
which, however, offered no serious obstacle to
the growth of our Republic from infancy to man
hood-an uninterrupted career of success has at
tended not only the of its connection with
the Old World, but also the great experiment Of
popular Government which happily resulted from it
For three-quarters of century the course of this
nation has been still onward in all the elements Of
national greatness making the wilderness blossom as
the rose, developing its boundless resources, and
cutiyating with unrvalled success all the arts Of
civilization and of inventive genius.
On recurring to the history of this long period Of
progress and prosperity, it is reflection which on
this day, if not on every day of the year, ought
never to be lost sight Of that for the security of their
Liberties, this whole People, as well the descen-
dants of the Pilgrims and the Cavaliers, by whom it
first settled, the more recent immigrants from
the Old World, are indebted beyond all question
to the success which attended the labors of WASH
lNGToN and his great contemporaries in the estab-
lishment of the Constitution of the United States
which binds together the various and important in
terests Of d mighty nation The vast results which
this Constitution has produced vantage ground
from which the men of our day can look back on
the scenes among which it was adopted, and APP
preciatc the patriotism Of its founders. The Revo
luton with all its heroic achievements and its not
less heroic sacrifices, nigh to be only glorious
story of the past. The union of the hearts and
minds of the whole people which had given triumph
to its fast dissolving amid conflicting pre-
judces and seemingly discordant interests; and,
while the weakness of the existing Government was
admitted, the difficulties of agreeing on one more
efficient appeared to many to be nsurmountahle.
And they would have been insulmountable except
by men such as those who overcame Them men,
one and all, tenacious of the rights and liberties Of
their constituents, but whose clear spirit saw that
the continued union Of all the States was essential
TO the political existence of each, and that union
could not be secured except by mutual concession.
From this principle sprang the Constitution Of the
United States, and to its influence in the admins
tration of that instrument owing the unnumber-
ed blessings which render the American Republic
the pride and JOY of its own citizens and the model
to which the friends Of suffering humanity through
out the world point with admiration and with hope.
Extremists may threaten it, a disloya arithmetic
may calculate its value but every assault only
fixes it more firmly in the hearts of the People, and
lessons in their eyes the value of the calculation
Time, as il rolls on, more and more shows to them
that til. great principles of human liberty set forth
IN the Declaration Of Independence are embodied in
the Constitution, and there successfully applied to
the complex relations of Confederated States; that it
is the Constitution, in fact. which gives practical
value to the doctrines Of the Declaration. After
years of not nattentve observation of public affairs
rejoice IN the belief that at moment since the
adoption Of the Constitution has it been dearcr to
the hearts Of the American People than it now is.
With this conviction, with the prospect in view of
the glorious and benefcent destinies which this
Constitution has in store for our country, we ven
ture On suggestion. We have now one national
jubilce-the 4th of July. Let us have another
the 18th Of September, the day on which the Con
stitution was adopted.
STATE ELEcTIoNs.-Thc following States repre-