The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-07-06

The National Anniversary
Was celebrated in a manner which did
credit to the citizens of Saint Paul. There
were all sorts of demonstrations Of patriotic
feeling, but we did not see or hear of any
riotous conduct or drunkenness Every
body seemed well satisfied, and under the
smile of as fair day as ever blessed the
earth, the day was honored fully and
properly.
The morning opened with the firing of
of everything that could make noise. We
do not know that any regular ordnance
was obtained by the Fourth of July Com
mittee, but we know that certain anvil
resounded like an eight FOUNDER, and that
a National salute was fred as the morning
opened.
At noon a considerable number of ladies
and gentlemen repaired to the Capitol,
where the initiatory exercises of the day
took place. The Declaration Of Independ-
ence was read by Dr. Ewing, and the
Grafton delivered by MORTON S. WIIKINsoN
ESQ. We surrender our space to-day to
the able effort OF the latter gentleman, as
we feel assured thae every one will be glad
to read his timely and patriotic remarks
They deserve to be considered calmly and
seriously, and embody truths which ought
of right to come home to every American
heart. 1t is not for the eloquence apparent
on its face, for which we praise tit is for
the political truths lying near to the best
interests of the Nation, for which we COM
mend it. Mr.. WILKINSON said:
Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen
We have met together to-day in obedience
to the time-honored usage of the Republic,
and in obedience to principle of our nature,
deeply implanted in the human mind
We have met with hearts full of gladness,
surrounded on every hand, with the richest OF
heavens blessings, and under circumstance OF
peculiar prosperity such as no nation or peo-
nile ever enjoyed before. These reflections
should make US mindful and 1 trust they do
make US remember not only the estimable bles-
sings which our fathers have transmitted to us
from the past, but also the duties and the re-
sponsibiities which rest upon us, as patriots
US citizens, and as men.
We should, also, be mindful that He who
holds the wiud in His fist and the waters OF
the sea in the hollow of His hand. has not for
saken US az a nation or been unmindful of our
wants.
On such occasions as this, the heart invol-
UNFAIRLY turns back to the speaking, truth-tell-
ing pages of history to the time which gave
rise to the event which we this day celebrate,
and our affections naturally centre upon the
fathers of this Republic. Successive genera
tions which are past rise up in silent grandeur
before us, and point US 10 the cold, frozen
Rock of Plymouth, and to the bloody scenes
of the Revolution, where our fathers poured
out their blood like water, for the establish
meDt of principle which now and for all time
to come, will constitute the great vital element
in the government we all prize so highly.
This is day of commemmOration, of cele-
bration and of Jubilee but at the same time
it should be regarded as day of reflection, Of
gratitude, and of stern revolves. 1t should by
US be regarded as day of commemoration, in
which we should do honor to the memory OF
our fathers, and should recount and treasure
up an w in our hearts, the many deeds OF viz,
tue and of patriotism which marked their &C
tions while living and which rendered them
illustrious in history, after they had been gath
cred to their fathers. But it should not be in
the formal ceremony merely-not only in "ser-
mon and song" that we should do them honor,
but our actions and our deeds should also
testify our reverence for their memory. We
should here make the stern resolve to treasure
n, in our hearts whatever in them was noble
and pure, and also improve upon the lessons o.
virtue and of truth which their examples have
taught US. 1t is also for us to improve the
rich Inheritance which we have received from
them.
30 This day, then, should also be day of re-
Election. of gratitude and of resolves We
should reflect seriously calmly reflect upon the
many and transcendant virtues of our fathers.
We should feel gratitude,-deep profound, un.
ceasing gratitude for the rich blessings which
they were enabled through Providence to be-