The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-06-30
1ndependenee.

k4ueftSu0c4lCcs
There is depth, fearful responsible
ity of meaning n that enc vord. as i
stands blazoned forth on the page of our
national history. And there are moments
when Il becomes US to pause and con
template With undaunted nerve It's sub
hHe mysteries, yet unread to turn rev
erendy backward our admiring gaze
and lift our grateful hearts heayenward,
as We peruse those eyentful chapters of
the past, whose alphabet is deeds that
have challenged the wondering nations,
looking from afar upon the open book.
Too prone alas, we are to wrap our
selves in the mantle of our fathers, fame,,
and from the pianaelcof that Temple to
which the grandeur of their lives has
elevated US. survey the unboundei do
mi,lions of our inheritance, as though to
glory IN the legacy were to beworthy of
it. In the luxury ofour wealth We forget
the fearfal price they paid to make it
ours and SO We have grasped with a
feeble tenure what was transmitted to US
at o terrible. cost. 1t is time that We
cease our boastipg till we make good our
title to heirship If we are descended
from illastrious sircs lie. cur lives prove
it.
Independence Fourth ofJulyl They
have almost become synonymous terms
in our anglo-saxon dialect The day
approaches. our national birthday. We
celebrate it always. and it is well. We
celebrate it, and the kingdoms of the
olden world take note of the fact. 1t is
no light thing we do, that we hallow its
hours. But how thoughtlessly have we
done it. That day comes as it never
came before. It comes bidding US re-
member who We are, and who were our
fathers. It lifts significant finger to-
ward their honored graves, while the 9TH
er hand spreads out the scroll of the past
year, traced in characters so strangely
distinct that whosoever win may read.
And the genius of liberty turns her sad.
reproachful eyes from the monumental
sentinels, we. in her name, have appoint
ed to guard their sleeping dust, to the
pitiful record this new birthday brings,
Let US study her calm features, the while.
Let US see, if we can, the workings of
her prophetic soul, as she looks from the
unparalleled past to the impenetrable fu-
ture. She gazes long and earnestly;
now her full, speaking eyes are bent up
On us, her favored deyotees wistfully,
anxiously, pleadingly, and with the VIM
ming sweetness and high command Of one
'.born to rule" All. that look! She
would read our souls, she would reclaim
US to duty, if we are not traitors in her
temple. Behold her: there are stains
upon her garments. and indignities upon
her person, size has been plundered Of
her birthright But she is not dead; her
dignity does not fora momentdessrt her;
even shough.her followers may betray.-
She bears charmed life which no foe
can reach. But she would rally herhosts
for their own sake. Watch her now
Thatexpression ofsolicitude is surmount-
ed by one of triumph struggle and a
victory. Liberty shall conquer viii we
be found in her train? One more birth
day will tell tale all unlike that whose
dawn is now upon us; tale of glory or of
shame whose parallel these later years
have not seen.
Independence If the name belongs
to US, let us wear it honorably; and not
/" steal the livery of the court of heaven
to serve the devil in.,
And if Kansas is to-day the political
focus of our country, what isexpected of
US who represent orr country at such a
post. Let the spirit of '76 animate ey-
cry nerve, and ennobles every thought,
and energise every arm. Let us preserve
'inviolate, at whatever cost, the rights of
freemen. Let the sacredtrust which our
position gives US be safe in our keeping.
II any are watching for our halsing, let
them watch in vain if any suppose we
are seeking contest. let thefuture prove
their mistake but if they they judge
that therefore We are an easy prey to bor.-
der blusterers, let them see that calm
self possession, and quiet courage are as
far removed from cowardice as from bra
vado. We will seek no quarrel, we viii
shrink from no responsibility, in the de-
fense of our rights. Such are our views
of true national and personal indepen-
.dence.
still Coming.
Emigration IS still gradually coming
into the Territory. but it is attended with
no noise or commotion. What gives US.
the most satisfaction is the fact that it is