Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-07-06
THE FoUhTH OF JULY.

THE FOUKTH OF JULY.
/ The seyenty-oighth anniversary Of AMeri
| can Independence ia fast approaching
but three days of-and we have as yet heard
/ of but few preparations for it's celebration
either in Richmond or its vicinity. 1t was once
remarked by Mr.. Jefferson, that 30 long as the
4 FoURTH--the birthday Of our independence
was duly observed and celebrated by the Amer
lean people, our liberty and free institutions
! would be secure. But when we come to forget
that day, with its glorious associations, and pass
it by with Indifference, it is an evidence that
we have degenerated from the spirit of our
| forefathers and IRE unworthy of the rich
| heritage they bequeathed us.
Richmond (Va.) Enquirer.
The charge Of degeneracy in the public GEN.
timent Of Virginia, implied in tho remarks Of
the Enquirer, was distinctly proved by an edi-
torial in that paper just few days before
| Admitting what Abolitionists have always said
that the forefathers Of Virginia were strongly
Anti Slavery tolerating Slavery, as wrong
not to be defended, but simply on the plea Of
necessity, ii went on to show that since then
there has been radical change of opinion
What the g forefathersn considered |" a wrongn
their descendants have come to believe price
less good. As the result of the inquiry to which
they have been driven, there is "a prevalent
conviction among the People Of the South, that
there is nothing in their system Of Slavery for
which they cannot find abundant warrant in
Scripture, in reason, in the philosophy of hu-
man society, and in the spirit Of genuine
philanthropy"
Now, if this BIO q true representation, these
philosophical" slsveholders mustrepudiate the
declaration of MIR. Jefferson, shat all men arc
created equal, with certain unalienable rights,
among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness" What wonder, then, that they
should feel careless about celebrating day, on
which this memorable declaration, 30 utterly
at war with their new creed of Slavery, was
made, as the ground and defence of the Ma
TONS independence?
The same paper, by way Of calling attention
to the memorable things Of the Fourth, repub-
fishes MIR. Jefferson's Letter dated Monticello
June oath, 1925, in response to an invitation to
attend celebration Of the Fourth of July in
Washington, remsrking-
"The letter was greatly admired at the
time--was copied by every paper in the Union,
and by many Of the liberal journals in Eng
land The sentiment we have italicised has
been quoted very often--as often, perhaps, as
any Of the most admired sayings Of Shaks-
pearc."
We publish from the Enquirer, retaining its
italics. The reader will be amused to see the
L. A. L.. 49,
through Mr.. Jefferson, tho very system, which
few days before no 50 complacently glori-
fed
MONTICELLO, June "a, 1926.
RESPECTED Sin: Tho kind invitation I re-
ceived from you, on the part of the citizens Of
tho city OF Washington, to bc present with
them ut their celebration Of the fftieth ami
vcrsary of American Independence, as one of
the surviving sgners Of an instrument pregnant
with our own, and the fate Of the world, il
most fattcring 10 myself, and heightened by
the honorable accompaniment proposed for the
comfort Of such journey. II adds sensibly to
the sufferings Of sickness, TO be deprived by it
Of q personal participation in the rejoicings Of
that day. Bot acquescence is Duty under
circumstances not placed among those wc are
permitted to control | should, indeed with
congratulations personally with tho small band,
tho remnant Of that host Of worthless, who
joined with us on that day, in the bold and
| doubtful election we were to make for our
country, between submission or the sword; and
TO have enjoyed with them the consolatory fact,
that our fellow citizens, after half century Of
experience and prosperity continue TO approve
| the choice we made May IL be to the world,
| what believe il will be, TO some parts sooner.
TO others later, but finally to all) the signal Of
arousing men to burst the chains under which
monkish ignorance and superstition had per-
shaded them 10 bind themselves, and to assume
tho blessings and security Of selfgovernment.
That form which we have substituted restores
tho free right to the unbounded exercise OF rea-
con and freedom Of opinion. All eyes are open
ed, or opening, to the rights OF man. The gen
cral spread Of the light Of conscience has al
ready laid open to every view tho palpable
truth, that TIE nnss Of mankind has not been
born ioifh saddles on their backs, nor a favored
tr'o booted and spwred, ready 10 ride them iegtf-
Of hopo for others. For ourselves, let tho an
nual return Of this day forever refresh our rec
elections Of those rights, and an undiminished
devotion 10 them.
| will ask permission here to express the
pleasure with which should have met my an
cicnt ncighbors Of tho city Of Washington and
it's vcinities, with whom ! passed. 90 many
years Of q pleasing social intercourse an inter
course which 10 much relieved the anxicties Of
| tho public cares, and left Impressions 90 deeply
engraved in my affections, ~ mover 70 bs Tor
COTTON. With my regret that III health for
bids me tho qualification Of an acceptance, DC
pleased to receive for yourself, and those for
whom you write, the assurance Of my highest
respect and friendly attachments.
TRos. JEFFERSON.