Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-07-10
FOURTH OF JULY ADDRESS.
nY ANDREW J. FISHER.

dav Of Freedon; such Freedom as neeey
6store was known to mankind 1t was an
epoch IN the worlds history, second only
III importance to the rising of Bethlehem S
etfulgent star above the cedar-crowned
hills of Palestine. Eighty years ago the
zeal was set to our national independence
The die was cast the corner stone of
our glorious destiny as q republic was laid.
The Declaration Of independence, signed
bv Hancocl, Adams. jefferson. franklin,
Carroll, Lee, and many others. 10 less
wor,hy--Tatrio:ic and brave. Where in
al The archieves Of history can we find
aasht to which il may be compared.
Our independence from the thraldom of
az unjust and tvranical ma Ter was de-
ciared; that bold manifesto of human
rights, that fearless protest against the
wrongs and cruelties of despotism. was
sat forth into the world on It's mission,
bu- hot without many fears on the part Of
IL authors and signers
And cur independence was not won
without struggle; Long time in even
scale the battle hung The contest was
desperate and bloody. But our heroic sol
dicrs led on by the. immortal WASHINGTON
at last were victorious
Gloriously triumphed the cause Of Lib
ertv, Justice and humanity, and tyranny
met with shameful, ignoble, but deserv-
Cd defeat
Ny friends you are no doubt all more or
less familiar with the history of the Amer
lean Revolution. Il Is not my design now
to call your attention particularly TO the e.
vents Of that memorable time. II is not Of
the past tha. l would speak, but of the
present. wish to say something that may
be If some benefit to the nearer. and what
more concerns us than knowledge of
those affairs which relate to the present
ti.ne9
Let us hold in greatful remembrance the
Bunker Hill, Trenton, MonmO;h, Saratoga,
aai Yorktown We will honor them for
their patriotism, We will respect them for
their vaior. Their names and their deeds
will never be etfacod from the scroll oftis-
tory Their tolls are over. They have
departed We trust, to that brighter realm
where tyrranuy's clanking chains are never
heard. There they have their reward
The revolution heroes fought and bled
IL: for themselves alone, but for their
cl.i!drcn, for their posteriiy, for us. They
knew that their descendants would honor
ard respect them at memory's shrine, if
they struggle manfully against the ruthless
INVADERS OF their rights. and they knew
po5.eri.y would hold their name in execra-
ton, j; they tamcly submitted, and gave
Up their birthright, without making one
determined effort to preserve inviolable the I
e9cred, heaven bestowed gift.
High and noble motives animated the
souls Of our worthy and heroic ancestors,
;.ni Led them ON through difficulties almost
agslrInOuntabie 10 the accomplishment of
ii n and noble achievements. And as We
y3af.ake of the fruits Of their labors, we
wr:.l honor them with grateful emotions and /,
thankful hearts They have left us a leg (
;,cy more 10 be prised than silver or gold I
Hers the inquiry is suggested to my
mind. IN wha. manner can We most truly
AID faithfully discharge the debt of graft
.,i- and respec. which We owe 10 our fore
ft.hers for the priceless INTERCHANGEABLE
boon of liberty? answer, by so living
thai our posteriiy will honor and respect us
IS III true Americans do honor and re-
Epec, the heroes Of 'Seveuty-six, the ora
f5Fs and statesmen OF that eyentful period /.
when out Of thick clouds of darkness, grad
.ally arose, as by some unseen, magic I
power, the beautiful temple of our repub- +
i.can institutions, from whose wide portals .
here now issues a stream Of radiant light, +
which promotes the happiness and pros
periiy Of millions who bask in the golden I
spieudors.
NV friends, we are American ci,izensl I
We are descendants Of the pilgrim faith
ers. We live under the protection of the .
Stars angIcd Banner Let us live as
best bccometh the freemen Of free coun-
;ry. LIE, us determine in our hearts that +
We aoiN be free, not only from physical bon
dase. but from Intellectual and moral serv-
i,ude. Let us rally around the standard
Of Justice and Humanity. Let us flee to
tho impregnable fortress of truth, and I
from the high tower Of Philanthropy let
Us hang out the white banner of Peace .
that we may be called the Children of
God Let US scorn to be the slaves of
public opinion, Let us nevervield to par
y mandates, but boldly assert to the world
by our words aud our works, what con-
science declares TO be true and right
| viii not extend my remarks farther on
this point. Let us remember that there is
a just God who prssides over the universe
and controls the destinies of nations. Let
Us fear to disobey his righteous commands,
rather than to violate the unjust and inhu-
man laws often enacted by man. We need
not fear the consequences of disobey ing
man rather than God. They may be dis
astrous to our present welfare and prosper
ity. but not to our eternal happiness.
Let us cast off the shackles of ignor-
ance, and soar above all low, mean and
grovelling things of earth. Let us shun
superstition as we would the plague
And, OH let us scorn to have our minds,
which were made to be free, cramped in
aud hedged around by the prison walls of
narrow sectarian creeds. Let us be indie
pendant in our religious faith, and follow
not those blind leaders of the blind,
whose chief aim it is to make others think |