Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-07-04
Yotal anb 9trsunal.
Fourth Of July in olden Times.-on the altl

Fourth Of July in Olden Times.--On the 9th
Of June, l779 Congress, then sitting in Philadel
Iphia passed the following resolution:
g Resolred, That Sunday, the fourth day of July
Ibeng the anniversary of the declaration of the
Independence of these United States the chap
lains of Congress- be requested to prepare sermons
suitable TO the occasion"
And a further order was made, causing the Pre-
fifth Of July, in celebration OF the Independence OF
these United Staies.p
During the May previous, the same Congress
addressed their g friends and countrymen,n wsrn
ling them OF present dangers TO the common cause
and inspiring them with hope for the failure
\ What nation" they asked, I" ever engaged in
such contest under such complication of dis.
advantages, so soon surmounted many Of them.
and in so short period Of time had so certain a
prospect Of speedy and happy conclusion. We
will venture to pronounce that so remarkable an
instance exists not in the annals of mankind. We
well remember what you said at the commence
ment of this war. @
"You saw the immense difference between
your circumstances and those Of your enemies
and you knew the quarrel must decide on no less
khan your lives, liberties, and estates All these
you greatly put TO hazard, resolving rather 10 die
freemen than to live slaves and justice will obge
the impartial world TO confess you have uniformly
acted on the same generous principle. Consider
how much you have done, and how comparatively
little remains 10 be done TO crown you with sue
cess. Perseuere, G,3 you ensure peace, freedom
satsy, gio,y solsassgny and felicity TO yonrselues
yonr children, and yonr children's children. En-
couraged by favors already received from Infinite
Goodness, gratefully acknowledging them, ear,
nestly imploring their continuance, constantly en-.
deavoring TO draw them down on your heads by
an amendment Of your lives and conformity tc
the Divine Will, humbly coniding in the protec
lion SO often and wonderfully experienced, vigor
ously employ the means placed by Providence in
your hands for completing your labors."
Law In Sumner Time.--Since last week the
grand jury have prepared number of cases fol
the criminal court; and, yesterday, The judge
clerks, jurors, counsel, and bailifs were, as .
consequence, engaged in business connected will
The trials.
Crime makes strange companions, fact unde
niahle, as any one could perceive by looking Al
The prisoners dock. There sat. side by side, sever
ofthe male and female unfortunates- white, black
and the intermediate shades of complexion, al Of
them awaiting their turn in the due course of law
The man of bituminous-coal visage had his head
tied up, having been engaged in a knock-dowr
encounter; and next to him SAT Caucasian. o
neat appearance, accused Of larceny al one Of
the principal hotels; another had been receiviae
stolen goods; in fact, both men and women nigh
be- classed with thieves and bruisers.
At the time we passed through the courtroom
one Of the lawyers was addressing the "gentlemer
Of the jury" very earnestly in case involving
three dollars worth of stolen property. The jury
as it was their sworn duty, were listening with
Ithe greatest attention.; some Of them, with theii
feet cooked up TO insure easy position for thai
purpose.
The crier of the court (who, when the weather
is not too hot, is extensively engaged in making
pens to supply all the officers of the court) hac
laid aside his quilts and penknife, and was agita
hing the furnace-like atmosphere with bamboo
fan, and luxuriatng in the greteful breeze thus
produced.
In the vestibules and in the courtroom were
witnesses in waiting, and very poor specimens Of
humanity some of them were; but dollar and q
quarter a day each for attendance is not to be
despised, and they would sooner have beenshere
doubtless, than at work in the broing sun.
There was, too, large number Of lookers-on,
both white and black, rendering the courtroom
far from agreeable for passing an idle hour. But
the curiosity excited by the respective friends Of
the parties had TO be gratied the earliest prac-
ticable period.
Under the present judicial system, petty cases
have to occupy the attention Of dgnfed court
but we trust the time is not far distant when an
inferior tribunal will be instituted, before which
will be summary adjusted matters not involving
Imprisonment in the renitentiary.