Butte record., 1856-07-19

! "iulei1uueo are HasleulHS 10 lne allar oil
their common country, bearing with them
laurel wreaths to twine around the memory
| of departed heroes All hearts are filled
with joy, and each countenance is redolent
with smiles. What a scene for contempla-
ton ! What theme for the exercise of po-
etic fancy On this day sectional preju-
iices are quieted, geographical distinctions
| are discarded, and with one voice our prais
IS ascend to heaven, to join with the loud
acclaim of those whose dwelling place is in
the blessed and boundless regions of eter-
nifty.
The events of the American Revolution
need no studied eulogium 10 perpetuate
their achievements, or to transmit to poster
ity the evidences of their accomplishment
They stand upon n rock of adamant, and
the c0nvulsiOn of a thousand worlds would
not effect their perpetuity, or detract from
their permanency. The beautiful fabric
which we have reared upon so substantial a
base, bears its own eulogium The pen of
the historian and the inspiration of the
bard may deck those events with the merit
of learned disquistion, and the charms and
destinations of poetic fancy, but the nips of
time however soon dssipate their impress
siOns, and we find in their stead blank and
monotonous void. The institutions which
we sought to establish, were based upon the
great principle of popular sovereignty, ac-
knowledging the supreme will of the people
in all things: that they are the source from
which should emanate all authority connec-
ted with our temporal government The
fact however is palpably evident that had
not necessity compelled US to assert those
rights, and maintain them at such immense
sacrifices, it would probably have been left
for some other people to have evinced that
high appreciation for principle which we as
a nation have displayed. Had our citizens
been permitted to enjoy the privileges that
were granted to them by the English Con-
stitution had they been allowed the right of
trial by jury and representation in the Ma
tional Legislature; in fine, had they in
everything been considered not as serfs, but
rs citizens, there would very probably have
been no American Revolution You and |,
fellow citizens, would not now be engaged in
rendering due need of praise to the men of
that period, and in singing pans of praise
for the blessings of liberty; but we would be
engaged in our usual occupations, and re-
joicing, perhaps, in the appellation of citi-
zens Of Great Britain. There certainly were
ties which bound US to the parent country,
difficult indeed to sever. Our origin was
the same, our language was the same, and
our tastes were SlHilaT. Inc constitution
under which we had lived, and to some ex-
tent fiourished, was incomparably superior
to that of any other government then exist
ing; and had the spirit and intention of
that Constitution been adhered to. the time
for entire and complete emancipation would
doubtless have been delayed to an indefinite
period The structure of the English gov
ernment is somewhat similar to cur own 1t
is a peculiar combination Each of the
three classes of government is represented,
although the idea that was entertained by
the ancients in regard to n combination of
this character, was, to say the least, not
fattering. Tactus treats it as visionary
whim, ard one that if effected could rever
be lasting or secure. Each of the three de-
partments is independent, possessing rights
of a negetive kind, if you please. 1t is true
the king is the great head of the state, but
there are certain checks to his authority,
which however are generally exercised with
delicacy and discretion. There are doubt
less Objectionable features in the English
Constitution and in its practical workings;
but | will render them justice by saying
that the laws are there imperatively en-
forced, and juries are strictly impartial 1t
may not be i'll timed for me to refer to an
instance of the impartality in the admins
trstion Of the law. 1t is doubtless known
to many of you, fellow citizens, that a short
time since one of the most pI ointment bank
ing firms in England was compelled to sus-
pend business, in consequence, | presume,
of unfortunate investments. The firm was
composed Of men who had always occupied
n most prominent position in the social as
well as the commercial circles of the great
metropolis, and had previously borne ire
proachable characters. Public suspicion
was however suddenly aroused, and charges
of perpetrating immense aud gigantic frouds
were preferred against them They were
arraigned at the bar of public justice, and
after fair trial, were duly convicted The
sentence was rtation-virtual death.
Thus it will be seen that the laws in Eng
land cannot be violated with impunity. 1t
admonishes us, my friends; that where laws
are properly administered, there is no ne
cessity for public demonstrations. The in
stance referred to conclusiyely proves the
fact that the law in England is no distinguish
er of persons The patrcian and the plebeian
the rich and the poor man, are alike amena-
bic to its requirements
l beg pardon for the seeming depression,
but the instance cited appeared to me to be
peculiarly applicable at this juncture.
| have before observed that the American
Revolution was FASTENED and precipitated
by the unjust and injudicous action of the
mother country The wrongs which we
endured were borne with wonderful torbear-
ance, displaying disposition On the part of
our people which should rather have excited
a feeling of respect and esteem, than to have
given rise to the severest oppression We
had reason to expect different treatment
and more kindly consideration. Our memo
rials and expostulations, were received with
the most signal contempt, our ministers
were spurned from the foot of the throne,
and every indignity was offered US that in
/ genuity could devise or malice suggest 1t
seems to me to have been q most singular
perversion of nature, ruthless viola
tion of a most sacred principle. But the
/ climax at last came; clouds had long been
/ gathering in The Political armament They
were charged with popular Indignation and
resentment The storm broke with mighty
intensity 1t was terrible. The shock con
vulsed entire civilization. The two hemis-
pheres were separated by vast ocean, but
1 the power that mpelled the storm was inf
mite; it disregarded time and space and dis
tance The effect of this Revolution was
felt particularly in France and the German
ic States. The "big heart OF the people
painted for liberty Tyranny was unconge-
1 NAL to their feelings, and in derogation of
! their rights The French people, under the
I impulse of worthy motiqes, gave evidence of
the salutaTy power of good example, but
they have now relapsed into a state of more
than absolute monarchy, aud their govern
ment is in fact an unlimited despotism
The trials that were endured by the pat
| riots of the Revolution in the struggle for
! independence. are worthy of remembrance