Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-07-31

BY THOMAS J. INGIIAM.
TERRYTowN. July 18th. 1856.
undersigned having listened with pleasure to your
,,.,, tli. subject of Freedom in &c and Freedom in
81. .,,ic.t copy for publication.
Yours respectfully,
rp STAFFORD u. l.. STAATS.
IRNU TERRY. HIRAM STONE.
~ DODGE. FRS X. HOMET.
II STAFFORD. Il. FRUTCIlEl.
T. TI|&.ssIriLFoED. T. J.G. KEELER.
LANES AND GENTLEMEN | have been ac-
,o.,omcd to consider the Fourth of July as a
lgr not merely for rejoicing, but also for re-
f.t,pq. Il is the anniversary of most i'm
,.~.Igt political cvcnt-onc Of those epochS in
h. history Of mankind by which dates are es-
,h,i,hcd and long impulses given to succeed
in, acacrationS On this day it always becomes
~. IL assemble. and while we recall the great
,r:nr.'r, which gave the day Il name and a
history. it is well to apply these principles to
,.s,>in. events. And more than ever it be-
comes Us, on the Fourth day of July, 1856, to
lake counsel together for asSurcdly no per-
son lurr present has ever met to celebrate the
anniversary of our National Independence at
time when our liberties were in greater dan
rrr The events of the past year have been
Of ,acI startling Importance that they have
filed the mind Of every thoughtful person with
anxiety. OF these things | shall speak before
r.osc My theme to-day is the contest be-
rn.u Freedom and Tyranny. | shall first al
mjc briefly to the contest in the past second
Is 20 the contest as it now exists. | shall not
.sc,rr coainc myself very closely to the sub
q li,,r I'll,
a,'a. occasion may suggest
TIL. two principles of Freedom and Tyran-
nv base been long at war the contest be-
,aan them has been carried on in all civilized
,,.ug> II would be interesting, if time per-
,...i to trace this contest through past ages.
We ,aoUld 5ad that more than two thousand
Years a-o these principles were already con-
,,udu- We should find that even then, free
lyal bad gained some decisive victories. We
,oa,I iui Rome Rcpublic-with govern
m.at 50 wisely constituted that it was esteem
~. in many features worthy modcl for cur own
constitution with laws so just and reasOna-
jc that they are sometimes quoted as authori-
= even unto this day We could trace the
Utoric> Of Freedom in that land we could
admire its prosperity under its liberal gevcrn-
urIt and Just laws we ceuld then mark the
victories of Tyramnv-victoric gained by the
aid oi luxury and political corruptOnS. We
,.a.d find tJc.G buying Offices with gold, aud
>crGring justice and the principle Of Liberty
20 obtain power. A little later We should find
The freedom of the people crushed out" and
the nation itself overwhelmed by barbariSm-
" coU,d trace Il similar progress and decline
H. Hrccce and many other nations of the an
C.ut world. We could also find a vast field
for examination in the history of modern Eu-
rope England, France Poland, Hungary,
and other nations have each in their turn been
the battle-ground for Freedom To do Justice
u this branch of the subject would require
much tine and | have only alluded to it now
'r The purpose of calling yOur attention to the
tc; that this nation is not the first nation that
rsrr acquired Freedom. 1t is true, perhaps
,Aai no large nation ever enjoyed 50 great pri-
Urccs. or So high degree OF freedom as our
own; bnt this must not blind us to the fact
that mighty nations have existed, scarce iufe-
Fpg III freedom and in civilization, whose names
"'c no longer to be found on the map of the
world and it should teach us that our libcr
ties may be forfeited, and our own nation de-
Nlc'l!eS OF justice and human equality All
history proves that free Institutions will not
sand aion" through ages, like thepyramidS of
egypt but constantly require the support Of
nave intelligent and seIf-Sacrifcing men.-
iooSe who would Nrure freedom must go to
''c contest with that stern determination which
animated Patrick Henry, when he exclaimed,
"'e me liberty or give me death " Those
'.' would pr'rrr liberty must practice "etcr-
I'D. '.-tsnre Keeping their ScntineIs upon
". "&.rH-,1wcrS, and holding themselves al
~'!> ia readiness to 20 forth to the conflict.
=. ..". must hot, however, expect the armies Of
.!"'"y TO come under their true coIors like
pirates Of the high seas the enemies Of
.'.''om sail under all kinds of colorS, and on
8 .'H up the black flag when victory is secure
"giaoHcS have nothing to fear from foreign
,'">'H "lAc they remain true to themselves
Ne, with an army Of millions, and the
..'',a ol half a world at his command, was
n . a'le to ,ubduc the little Republic Of Greece
M > 0ayN OF purity but in its corrupt days
M y"'r the prey OF every petty prince. a
III .e who are united in the determination to
NEE, can never be subdued, but tyranny is
., sal She'd to gain its victories by quiet cor
III I'on by sothfumcss, by ignorance, and by
HI ir"f'Sy What could never be accomplish
n y open assaults, is constantly gained by
.-,'1 In the camp. The greatest victories of
III ar are gained in time Of peace for then
M .s " supporters are resting beneath the
# ,'' A0a partaking of the fruit Of the great
W r.. " liberty, they are quietly girdling the
u ''. sucking the lifc-blood of the tree it
... ana IN the mcanwhilc, they shout hosan-
' freedom, and carry on their work of
M g.. .:''.on IN the name of all that is liberal
N' Such are the enemies with which
81 "' mas always had to contend, and such
+ 's 0an-crS which now surround it,
eaAnE Of the contest of freedom in
.s& W. NOT intend to enter into full his
+.,"oa' Of the leading events ] shall
"a upon those points which serve TO