The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-06-30
The Anniversary of the Declara-
tiOm Of American Independence.

The Anniversary of the DecIara-
.tiOn Of American Independence.
Next "Wednesday, the 4th Of July, is the
seventy-ninth anniversary of the Declare
tion of American independence. Its ap-
,proach, naturally, brings to the mind some
reflections as to the character and condition
Of our country then and now; and an allu-
sion to these, may not be inappropriate at
this time.
No better commentary upon the patriot
ism and integrity of our fathers, can be CIV
EN- than the Dec laration itself. 1t is not
only well written document, but every line
and paragraph shows forth a noble heroism
and an answering adherauce to principle
which must ever be the admiration of the
world. Those were dark days for our faith
ers. The strife was against terrible odds.
There were then but thirteen feeble colo
nies. The aggregate population was less
than three millions of people; that of Eng
land, about thirty millions. The colCnists
were poor; England wos rich. Their army
was small and made up mostly of unframed
citizens; that of England, tried and dior
plined. Their commerce was small; the
ships of England fioated on every part OF
the sea. Their navy was nothing; England
was queen of the ocean. But their cause
was just and there were strong, brave men
among them, and wheis these are, there is
always power. WASHINGTON with his great
patriotic heart and strong arm, was in the
army. The clouds disturbed not the sereni-
ty Of his brow, and the storm beat against
his bosom in vain; his purpose was fixed
and he stood firm as rock. JEFFERSON,
HANCOCK, FRANKLIN and other noble souls
were in the colonial council. Under their
guidance, the war was begun and brought to
aglorious consumation.
Seventynine years have passed since then
The signers of the Declaration are gone
The thirteen feeble colonies, have grown in
to thirty-one sovereign states. The popula
ton has increased to twenty-six millions O.
people. The aggregate wealth of the coun
try is not less than eight thousand million!
ofdollars. Cur annual exports amount tt
$l60,oOO,0o0; our imports to nearly $3.50,
100000. Our army, though not large, il
equal to any emergency and is renowned fo
the bravery of its soldiers and the skill of it.
generals. Our navy has successfully dispu
ted the supremacy of the sea, with the mos
powerful maritime powers Of the globe. Blu
these are nothing, compared with other ad
vantages. Schools and Colleges are ou
strongest defence. These, dot the face o
the country in every direction. Cities have
grown up as by enchantmeut. The States
are bound together by the iron track of tn {
railroad Everywhere, there are evidences
ofpower and prosperity.
America has done in seventy-nine years
what it has taken other nations more thai
ten centuries to accomplish!
To what cause, shall we attribute this un
paralleled advancement! To the Declara
ton OF independence and the Constitution
of these States. The first began what tn
last has completed; the first obtained wha
the last has preserved. Under the broat
shield of the CONSTITUTION, the oppressed
and down trodden of all nations, all language
and all religions, may come, and find a
asylum and home. We who have live
so long under its shelter, who have neve
known by experience, the crushing an
withering influence Of despotism, may mag
nifty the petty evils which exist here an
there in the government. But in the hou
ofdarkness and danger, when ,rtizan strife
sectional bitterness and midnight treason
wage their warefare, and the country is con
yulsed with the strife of contending factions
then the true patriot will ever turn to tn
CONSTITUTION as the sheet anchor of hi
hopes. aad as the only chart which can ens
BILE him successfully to outride the tempes
and the storm!
And these blessings enjoyed by US, al
not conferred upon any one class exclusivel,
They are for all. All, whether Wing
Democrat, Know Nothing or Know Som
thing, Presbyterian or Universalist, Pro
estant or Catholic, all are inheritors of IL
civil and religious privilege' set forth in IL
Declaration and conferred oy the Constit
tion. 1t is fitting then, that the Fourth
July, should be set apart as sacred day
day when all classes and conditions of SO,
ETY., without regard to party or church-wh
the apprentice and the journeyman, the fl
mer and the mechanic, and the rich and t
poor, may lay aside the impliments Of lat
and consecrate anew, this, our Natior
Sabbath. @
How mean and narrow is that sentimt
which prompts some persons to desecr'
me day, BY calling party meetings Gin viii
Of course, but share of the citizens c
join,) ar the express purpose of teari
down one party and building up anothef-