Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-07-06
AN GRAFTON,
DELIVERED BY vEsPAsIAN ELLIS ESQ.
sEroRE THE AMERICAN PAKrr.
In the City of WasAington, July 4, 1907

AHrRIcARsi What means this vast assemoiage;
this martial music this roar OF cannon; these
looks OF gladness' What prince Is born; what
king or emperor crowned; what conqueror comes
in triumphy Nonsi Then why these demonstra-
tons Of unbounded joys Tia The birthday Of
american freedom 'Tis the anniversary Of that
hallowed day when our valiant fathers bid defiance
10 their foe when they reared the standard Of
American liberty when they unfurled that flag
which proudly floats on every breeze and DER eve-
ry sea and when they pledged their lives, their
fortunes, and their sacred honor, each to all and
all to each, to maintain that solemn Declaration Of
Independence, which formed tho epoch We COM
memorate.
Eventful day which burst the thraldom Of ALE
glance to tyrant! Iilhstrious day, which gave a
nation BIRTH Immortal day, which enrolled the
United States of America" upon the list of SOW
ereign nationsl IT'S fit that this day should be
concentrated by the :" SONS of the sires Of no."
'Tis ft that those, Who ertend the hand and turn
tho eye Nth reverence to the "Stav Spangied Ban
,,er," should unite In this commemoration. Tis
ft that Americans should celebrate that glorious
day when Americans first ruled America" It's
fit that children who mean to initiate their fathers
valor. IT'S fiji that we, who are natives here
and to the manor born !" that we, in whose veins
flow the blood of Revolutionary heroes; that we,
WHO have received from our ancestors the bright
heritage of free institutions, should renew, upon
each anniversary Of our countrys BIRTH the pledge
of life, Of fortune, and of sacred honor, to trans
nit to posterity this heritage unimpared.
Americans that pledge Of life, of fortune, and
of sacred honor which, seventy nine years ago this
day. our fathers gave, was no idle, no unnieaning
ceremony. Auful ras the responsibility Which they
then assumed but aaanfaily and eourageotlsly ,Oas
il met. Thousands Of our Revolutionary heroes
lost the pledge of life upon the bloody field of
battle thousands lost the pledge of fortune in
their countrys cause /; but all that noble band who
signed the Declaration Of Independence redeemed
the pledge Of sacred honor, mid carnage, strife,
and danger, in the final triumph of American arms
over the mercenary legions of the British King.
ia did our fathers thus redeem their pledge Of
sacred honor, so must their soma, ,chateper De the
hazard, redeem the pledges they have gipen to save
the Institutions Of our country from the grasp Of
Romanisn, and tie degradation Of Joreignim
II is due to the occasion and to the examples Of
those who have gone before US that in the pro-
ceedings Of this anniversary, some brief allusona
should be made to the prominent points in the an
mails of our country, which, though yet young, has
been the theatre Of the noblest achievements re-
corded in the worlds whole history. In perform
ing this task we have no tradition to invoke, no
nusty records to examine.
Three hundred and siIty-three years only have
elapsed since the first discovery Of America by
civilized man.
Ambitious Of immortal fame, the philosophie
aud indefdtigabls Col,ma6us laurched his barques
upon the ocean, and stecred his course DER track.
less pillows, from East TO West, in search Of I'M
known regions. His enterprise was considered
douhtful dangerous, and daring. With undaunted
courage he braved the dangers, not only of an un-
tried ocean, but of distrusting and discontented
companions, and made the grand discovery Of this
Western World
But, notwithstanding this magnificent discovery
century elapsed, and left the Western Continent
in undisturbed possession of the savage Indian and
ferocious beast The aluring search Of India's
wealth absorbed the thoughts both of the princes
and of the people OF Europe. Less than two hun.
dred and fifty years have elapsed since our fore
fathers began to fee from persecuting priests and
unreenting princes, TO this their land Of refuge In
different localities, from South Carolina to Massa-
chusetts, the suffering subjects Of tyranny and OPP
preston pitched their tents, having escaped from
Europe with little else than energy, resolution,
honesty, q hatred OF despotism, and a religious
trust in Providence to aid their efforts.
Unlike the myriads Of Immigrants Of The pres-
snt day. our oretathers migrated hither to escape
from priestcratt and religious oppression TO "a
tabiis here free sdnctuaries for every faith; and
not as Willing pdsseis and obseqaio,a tools, 10
der7rine Republican Institutions, at the instiga-
ton Of the corrupt and rotten priesthood Of The
Romish Church.
Years rolled on; they became the recognised
colonies Of the British Crown, with chartered
rights; the migration OF others who were oppress-
ed for opinions sake, multiplied their numbers,
industry, frugality, and honesty secured them the
comforts Of life trade opened with England, and
the barter Of colonial products for British manu-.
features soon commenced and rapidly increased.
Thus progressing, one hundred years ago found
the American Colonies the especial object Of Brit.
ish Ministerial recognition True 10 her native in
stincts, Britain soon derisod plans Of raising a
revenue from, the industry ofhe colonies. T1s
era of British taxation followed Protests,
petitions, and circumstances from the colonies
we're sent 10 the throne, and spurned 7aratio~
,rds ineredsed and foratior ,cds resisted Force
pas resorted 10 by the agents Of The Groom, and
force ras met BY force Collisions at Lexington
and Concord were the consequence. Boston was
invested with armed men, and the colonies we're
In blaze.
The Colonial Congress Of lT74 had tried every
means Of Cancellation consistent with honor and
iustice but the British Ministry was deaf 10 both
argument ana enIeatY. ~ reinhncu iOr tue tOn-
grees Of l775 to provide the means Of general re.
sistance TO the oppressive measures Of Bdt,in ; to
address firm but respectful remembrance TO the
King In peron TO lay before their fellow-subiects
Of the British Crown a plain narrative Of the acts
of governmental tyranny, by which they had been
oppressed and 70 ,cait with patient frmncss, and
TO meet with unbendng resolution, the future
measures Of the British Ministry.
The counsels Of Lords Grenville, North, and
Butte, and Of their shortsighted associates, pre-
vailed in the British Cabinet and Parliament, and
The die pds east Britain resoiped 10 persectte the
colonies With fire and acord; 10 ni6due them al
any cost and at Every hazard; aud the colonies IN
Turn resolved that their motto should Be Liberty
or Death" And thus commenced the American
Revolution--sn era embracing events and results
| Of higher importance 10 the human race than any
other era in the political history Of the vorld
| The fire Of freedom enkindled by that Revolution
| IL not ret quenched, and never viii be quenched
tll the thrones Of desposs the sceptres Of tyrans
the crowns Of kings, and all the emblems and in
sigma Of royalty shall DO consumed In It's devo.r
| ing element
The FIRST important scene In the drama Of the
| Revolution opened at Bunker's Hill, in IT'S. An
action. which was honorable to the coursge Of the
raw militia Of New England, aroused the colonies
/ g. No- Hononahira 20 Goorcia Ar