Smyrna times., 1855-07-11
Celebration of the Fourth in Smyrna

ran and Episcopal Churches, which awoke
many from their sumbers, reminding them that N
the anniversary OF the glorious Fourth of July p
was again at hand. At early morn the town /
was astr by the hurry of horsemcn and carri- u
ages to join the procession. At 8 o'clock the
procession formed and marched through the
principal streets, with the officers and orators
preceded by the Band, the Chief Marshal and
his Aids---to the shade trees at the upper school
house, where platform and seats had been erect
ed. -.~..#...-..-
The meeting organized by the appointment
of Hon. ISAAC DAVIS, President; f.. CLOAK,
Esq, and Col. SAM'L Cats, Vice Presidents
RoBr ID. IlOFFEcEER, Secretary, and Col. ID.
LoCEwooD Assistant Secretary.
After an impressive prayer by Rev. s. NJ.
COOPER of Smyrna circuit Dr. VIM. CuMMINs,
read the Declaration ofIndependence, in IL voice
clear and distinct.
The President then introduced the Rev. WIN. !
G.. RoBINsON, as a substitute for Hon. JOHN w.
IIOUsroN, who was unable to attend Mr.. r.,
althoughhe had but few days to prepare a
speech, in an able, dgnifcd and forcibe man.
ner addressed the meeting for nearly an hour
lie said, he had been prevailed upon, much
against his own wishes, to fill the place of one
much better calculated for the OCCASION He
alluded to the day and occasion which could
q call so many persons together for one purpose;
referred to several concidents in the early his
tory of the country and the Declaration of In
dependence by the Continental Congress in
: Philadelphia, and the strong impression of free
$ dom it has made not only in this country, but
+ wherever there beats an American heart. lie
II spoke of the strength of our government, that
is its foundations were laid in righteousness, and
'f that the political wisdom, moral virtue and
II firmness of the men of &c was greatly ewing
y to the fact of their being God-tearing men,
II lie viewed the rise and progress of the spirit OF
u American liberty, the first stroke of the British
d troops to sUbdue it, the struggle which follow
le ed, and the ultimate triumph of the colonies
le high tribute was paid to Delaware's patriot
d SONS, their bravery on the battle field, ant
ot their wisdom in the National Council; their 10,
at the Declaration of Independence which Wa.
10 manifested by public feast and the burning o
ly the picture of King George on the public greer
A at Dover. He concluded by enumerating thC
Oh immunitles and privileges which we enjoy as
er people, and the cares and obligations we ar
lit under in perpetuating our liberties untarnished
by He contendcd that this government secures t
ne its subject the great ends of political compact
ch VIZ: life, liberty and the pursuit of happi
ness" to a greater extent than any other gov
ernment on the globe. In discussing this pon,
IN as it relates to liberty, he defended the syster
IN Of slavery as it is, against the attacks of uItr
h Notwithstanding that compariso
by with other nations would be decidedly in ou
ut favor.
he In the discussion of the above proposition
ye Mr.. R. employed an expression, innocently q
a his parI, but Extensively to many of the asseu
ey, bly, !; which, being explained by him in ii
ire afternoon, was generally satisfactory
in, At the conclusion of Mr.. RS address, Il
The meeting adjourned until 3 clock, p. NJ.
oi After the cOnvening of the meeting, the Pr
OF sident introduced JoHN NJ. ROBINSON, ESQ
i'll, District Attorney of Onccn Anne's count
Nd. Mr.. r. addressed the meeting upwar
ice of half an hour, in an eloquent and impressiv
MS manner, employing many beautiful classic
illusions. lie commenced by referring to Il
celebrated instrument which declared the col
' MES independent States nine and seventy yea
ry, .ro u,han Ioho Adams rroc,o;n,od ,b;s 4.
consecrated to all posterity. The patriot
III" heart beats high to-day, and the shouts of ir
O"- people echo from town and city, from hillt
and valley, in one common impulse, their annu
= haIocaust upon the altar of liberty. He spo
'D of the advantages of such anniversaries
- awakening and refreshing the genius and cl
valry of the people. The contest of the spar,
ly populated colonies, without the snews
war, without military discipline, without mea
or resources, with the powerful armies Of Gre
- Britain, was dwelt upon with much effect
""' next dwelt upon the trainers of the Republ
Op their true uhylosophy in politics, mans ca
W. city for self government a nd said that he h
'eu rather rely upon the collective wisdom and
'''' triotism of the many than to a few howe,
gifted and worthy. He spoke of our advan,
&C. ment as a nation, and attributed it to the Fl
that every man is made to feel that he coni
)cLa-
genius--that the energies of her people
overleaped the barriers of nature, and, with
Bible and axe, the fruits of civilized chri
1 anity would be scattered into the very hear
'' the wilderness.
1'' JOHN NJ. RosxsoN, Esq, was followed
WIN. CoRBrr SPRUANcE, Esq, Of Smyrna, v
> w -, meeting in the place of VIM. STONE, Esq.
VIM Centreyille, Md. the latter gentleman not
ing present