Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-07-04
0uR FATHERS.

OUR FATHERS.
No nation, can dwell with more just salts
faction upon its annals, than the American
people. The emigrants who settled the coun-
try, were iIlustrious men; distinguished for
their piety, wisdom, energy, and fortitude.-
Not less illustrious were their descendants,
who served as the guides and counsellors of
the colonies, or who fought their battles dur
ing the revolutionary struggle. No one who
admits the Intervention of special proyi-
dence in the affairs of nations, can hesitate to
believe, that the statesmen and heroes of the
revolution were raised up by the God of Heav
en-, for the important and definite purpose of
achieving the independence of America-of
rescuing people, whose ancestors had been
eminently devoted to the duties of piety, from
the thraldom under which they had groaned
for years-and of presenting to the monarchi-
cal governments in the eastern hemisphere,
the example of government, founded on civil
and religious liberty.
For the accomplishment of such purpose,
the statesmen and heroes of the Revolution
were eminently fitted. They were endowed
with minds of distinguished power, and
hibited an example of political Sagacity, and
of high military prowess, which commanded
the admiration of statesmen and heroes,
throughout the world. Their patriotism
of pure and exalted character; their zeal
was commensurate with the noble objects
which they had in view; and amid the tolls,
and privations, and sufferings, which they
were called to endure, they exhibited pa
thence and fortitude, rarely equalled in the
history of the world.
OF the revolutionary patriots, none present
themselves with more interest to the rising
generation than those who composed the con-
gress of 1776; and upon whom devolved the
important political duty of seyering the ties,
which bound the colonies to the mother coun-
try. The obligations TO cherish their memory,
and to follow their example viii be felt nor
can we fail to realize the debt of gratitude We
owe in common, to that benignant providence,
who fitted these men for the important work
which was assigned them.
They were ffty-six in number; and the
average length of their lives was about sixty
five years. Four of the number attained to
the age of ninety years, and upwards; four
teen exceeded eighty years ; and twenty-three,
or one in two and half, reached three score
years and ten. The longevity of the New
England delegation, was still more remarkable
Their number was fourteen, the average of
whose lives were seyenty-fve years. Who
will affirm that the unusual age to which the
signers, as a body, attained, was not reward
bestowed upon them, for their fidelity to their
country, and the trust which they in general
reposed in the oyerruling providence of God? (?
Who can doubt the kindness of that Provi-
dence to the American people, in thus pro-
longing the lives of these men, till the princi-
pies for which they had cOntended, through a
long series of years, had been acknowledged,
and government had been founded upon
them /?
OF this venerable body, not single one
survives. They are no more, as in 1716, bold
and fearless advocates of independence. They
are dead. But how little is there of the great
and good which can die. To their country
they yet live, and live for ever. They live in
all that perpetuates thc'remeDlbrance of men
earth in the recorded proofs of their own
grea. actions, in the offspring oftheir intellect,
in the deep engraved lines of public gratitude,
and in the respect and homage of mankind
They live in their example !; and they live,
emphatioally, and will live, in the influence
which their lives and efforts, their principles
and opinions, now exercise, and will continue
to exercise, on the affairs of men, not only in
our own country, but throughout the civilized
world.
1t remains to us to cherish their memory,
and emulate their virtues, by perpetuating
and extending the blessings which they have
bequeathed. Sc long we preserve our coun-
try, their fame cannot die, for it is reflected
from the surface of every thing that is beauti-
ful and valuable in our land. We cannot re-
cur too often, nor dwell too long, upon the
lives and characters of such men for our own
will take something of their form and impress
sion from those on which they rest. If we
inhale the moral atmosphere in which they
moved, We must feel its purifying and invigo-
rating influence. If we raise our thoughts to
their elevation, our minds will be expanded
and ennobled, in beholding the immeasurable
distance beneath and around us. Can We
breathe the pure mountain air, and not be re-
freshed can we walk abroad amidst the beau
tiful and the grand works of creation, and feel
no kindIing of devotion