The Sierra citizen., 1854-07-08

Saturday, July s, 1854.
Independence Dav!

independence Day!
Is THERE a man, either native born
or adopted citizen, with soul So cold that
he cannot find it in his heart to cry aloud,
oil hail,all hail! Seventy-cight years ago a
small band Of men, good, true and loyal
to their conscience and their country, re-
solved to throw off the yoke of oppression
which had SO long held them subject to
the caprice Of tyrant and the willing
acquiescence Of more tyranical parlia-
ment. They staked their lives, their for
tunes and their honor on the then doubt
full die; but justice was on their side, and
40 overriding Providence lent aid aud
comfort and brought them out victorious
The little Congress Of Thirteen Colonies,
then assembled in Independence Hall, built
the corner stone of free government, so
different from the rest Of the world that
they might we'll tremble for the ultimate
stability Of the fabric. With naught to
encourage them but the wrongs they SUI
fsrcd, and hope, based upon the justice of
their cause, they battled seven years with
the strong lion, aud though frequently
compelled to retreat before the ovcrpower-
ing hordes of Brirain's king, nothing
daunted, again and again they drew up in
battle array, confronting we'll fed, well
disciplined and numerous foe, who disdain-
ed them for their poverty and unsoldier-
like appearance, but ere long learned to
dread the unerring aim, and Ito them un-
accountable) temerity of the ragged half
starved Yankees.
Everything executed by our fore-eathers
bears the stamp of true courage, wisdom
extraordinary foresight, and correct reli-
ance in the ever just God. Let US and
coming generations remember the last and
endeavor to emulate the FIRST of these vir-
tuous examples-let not diAension and
discord arise in our midst deal not out
niggardly that which is due to others, but
with liberality and magnanimity to the
weak, unequivocal justice to the mighty;
and slowly, yet most surely will this policy
gather to the folds Of our country the best
men Of every clime-reciprocity from the
remotest parts of the earth. Discard that
spirit Of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT so characteristic
of our mother country, and which now is
her curse, and will finally be the means of
shaking her immense domain from circum-
ference to centre-her tottering dominancy
to ruins. Acquisitiveness among us is a
growing evil, which the wise and far-seeing
dread. Our liberal and representative
form of government does not require thS
too rapid and compulsory absorption Q!
our neighbors, to maintain its present POI
sition among nations, but wise forbea}
ance for the injuries we receive from thcH
and prompt punishment when forbearancA
is no longer virtue-prosperity follow
in the wake Of peace and philanthropy,
We should be careful not to extend our
limits beyond reach, but grow steadily and
firmly from the nucleus, each bud ripen
ing to strong limb, and that in tint
shooting out other buds, and the trunk
having gained strength in proportion t
the branches the noble tree is able to with
stand the political tempests of ages.
The 4th OF July, 1854, broke in upol
our little village bright and balmy. A
early morn the Sons of temperance wok'
the more sleepy inhabitants with loud re
ports from their novel ordnance, and sool
every one was mp, and ready to welcom
in the god of day and the anniversary o
liberty.
The feature of the day was the celebra
ton by the Sons Of Temperance, wh'
formed in procession at their new hall
and, marching through several streets
proceeded to the bower on Durgan Flat
accompanied by large concourse of citi
xens not melrbers of the order, where Col
r. H. Taylor re2d the Declaration of In
dependence; after which the orator of tn
day, ex-Judge Ferdinand J. Mccain, de
livered an grafton tfrom which ne can onl,
make q few extracts. The gentleman
thns philosophises on the danger Of drink
ing even moderately:
"True, not every one WHO takes hisso
ciai glass, Or only reveis when he meets
friend, is doomed to slamber in drunk
ards grave. And this very fact serves t
strengthen the general proposition. for e