Litchfield enquirer., 1856-07-10
G9t 1ht9ffla Gr1quirtr
Idtohaeld. Conn, Thursday. July 10. 1856.
Our National Anniversary

Our National Anniversary
Was observed in a quiet sensible way in sever
al adjoining towns-by gathering in sociable
parties in the woods, listening to speeches and
singing, feasting the sight and taste on the good
things provided, and enjoying ones self gener-
ally. No gunpowdcr celebration was had in
the county, and we are glad to notice that this
mania, to which so many limbs and lives have
been annually sacrificed, is gradually going ont
of date In the matter of pic-nics We believe
Goshen is entitled to the palm-not less for
the numbers present than for the good taste
and libcraIity displayed in the arrangement Of
their entertainment Some fifteen hundred or
two thousand persons gathered in the woods
mile north of the center, and. after other exer-
cises, were addressed by Rev Dr. Richards of
this place, in brief speech-practicaI, sensible
and pleasing.
1t is impossible, within the compass of q
newspaper paragraph, to present even fur alb
stract of the address of Dr. Il. on this occasion.
We may be allowed, however, to say that it
Was unlike most of the addresses delivered Oh
the 4th of july to which We have listened
Though truly appropriate and patriotic, it was
free from everything like national "gloriGca-
ton" The true sources of national prosperity,
us well as the causes which have led to the de-
| &c h.
and Republics of antiquity, were clearly and
forcibly presented, and the illustrations Of both
sacred and secular, were Of q character adapt
ed to interest bis audience and to convince the
most sccptical among them of the truth of his
position. intellectual Improvement and moral
cuturc-in other words, letters and religion
were represented as constituting the foundation
on which the fabric OF this country's liberties
rest. To sustain the institution of sabbath!
schools, to uphold the cause Of temperance, to
observe the divine rule in the selection of men
for official stations, to guard and maintain the
constitution, which as yet had proved superior
to every assault and to advocate boldly the
doctrine of human rights, were all set forth hs
duties to be sacredly regarded and performed
| by American citizens, If they would preserve all
that is valuable in our Institutions. The closing
remarks of the speaker were addressed to the
female portion of his audience, and they were
reminded of the fearful responsibility resting
upon them as possessing " the p"secr J~hind The
THRONE" lie represented woman as presiding
over the domestic government Of the country,
and ruling the nation through the family -
Woman can equal man, without becoming
man she can differ from him without being in
fcrior to him" Equality docs not involve idcn-
tity, and therefore compatible with subordina-
ton nor is equality substitution ; such equality
cannot subsist without unscxing and unsphcr.ng
woman. Woman has wide, important God
appointed sphere in which to act" AS the
promoter and prcscrver Of constitutional union,
her power cauuot be overrated. In the mind
of q true woman there is no division or dis
traction of aims, no conflicting of impulses, no
pulling Of different feelings in opposite dircc-
tons. Listening to the dictates of inward
sense she hears voice which outweigls the
world That those ladies whom it was his
privilege to address, carried iuto tho various
spheres Of usefulness peculiar to their sex, well
furnished minds and warm and patriotic hearts,
the festivities of the day, the result Of their ef-
forts, afforded dcmonstrat;ve proof
Dr. Richards remarks were listened to with
a lively interest, though a shower came up and
continued nearly the whole time he was speak
ing. After singing again, the assembly adjour-
ned to the dinner tables, where most liberal
provision Of creature comforts had been made
by the ladies who had that department in
charge. The table Was adorned with a spleu-
did pyramid Of flowers, aud many beautiful bo-
qucts Remarks from others were made after
dinner, and display of fireworks concluded the
festivities of the day.
! Vandalism.