The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1857-07-04
THE Day We Celebrate"

On the I'd Of July, 1875, after the final vote
on the the adoption of tho Declaration of
Independence in the Continental Congress,
bresthed forth the spirit that animated him
n letter to his wife, in the following Ian
guage:
Yesterday, the gecrtest question was de-
seeded that ever was debated in America.
"and . greater, perhaps never was, nor will
"be decided among mon. A resolution was
"passed. withou. one dissenting colony, 'tha
"these United Colonies are, and of rig n
ought TO be. free ant indcpen6ent State
sand as such. they have. and Of right ough
"to have, full power to make war, conclude
"peace, establish commerce, and do all other
"scts and things which other States may
"rightfully do"
"The I'd day of July, l7Is,# viii DO the
"most memorable epoch in the history Of
America. am apt to believe that it will
"bc celebrated bv succeeding generations, as
"the great anniversary festival 1t ought to
"be commemorated as the day Of deliverance
"by solemn devotion to COP ALMIGHTY. 1t
sought to be solmenized by pomp and parade.
with shows, games, guns, bells, bonfires,
"and Examinations from one end of the con-
''tinent to the other, from this time forward,
forever more.n
"Youwill think me transported with en-
enthusiasm, but am not. am well aware
''of the toll, and blood, and treasure that it
twill cost us to maintain this declaration,
"and support and defend these States. ''Yet
Through sll the gloom, can see the rays Of
"ravishing light and glory. / can see that
"the end is worth more than all the means.
"And that posterity viii triumph in that
"dey's transaction, even although we should
''rue it, which, | trust in COP, we shall not"
With the eye Of political inspiration he
foresaw, in vivid light, the scenes Of the pres
ent hour. But great was his faith in the
event, and its vast influences upon man
kind, he did not have full comprehension
Of all its mighty consequences to the world.
It has been second only to the advent of the
Savior-of whose mission it was the legti-
mato fruit--in its power to change the condi-
ion of men. 1t established as an inalienable
light, political freedom TO oil men, which
had been long contended for; but the new
light it shed upon the world was the Repre-
sentative Federal system of Government.
which has proved happy step towards uni
versal peace, and in its progress Is to bring
the people of whole continent into broth
erhood of States-and give them one great
head-a common arbiter and protector-that
shall do away with strifes and wars, and es-
tablish the blessings of free and unshackled
commerce between the inhabitants Of all lat
itudes.
Political liberty was not gained by the
Revolution. but was defended, vindicated and
established by the triumphs of that contest
between the Past and Future. Its origin
was in the Reformation, and existed in the
Protestant faith of the Puritans, and was de-
veloped by them in all the principles of their
Colonial Governments. Its spirit was as rife
in the Colonies as it has ever been in the
States and first inspired the hearts of the
Colonists with its pure and virgin flame,
while our love for it has been cloyed by long
enjoyment, and we haze become Indifferent
TO its value.
Civil freedom-the Immediate object Of the
neutrality-suspicious. jewel as it is in itself
was not the richest product of the patriotic
labors, of the privations and sacrifices Of oul
fathers. Exoneration from public burthens
and a release from political restraints, ar
the lowest of its blessings;-it is its power o
inspiration-its quickening influence upoI
mems intellects, in oil their thoughts anC
actions-in all their duties and relations
giving them new being-and making new
beings of them, that constitute its highes
value. Science, literature, art and religion
draw new inspiration from civil freedom
Commerce, enterprise and labor, derive fror
it their energies and tigor. Our materia
advances as a nation-our wealth-our vas
commerce-our wonderful triumphs in i'm
provements-have not been stimulated b
the riches of virgin soil but have com
from the inspirations of our political freedom
from the restless activity of thought an
actio on, which liberty everywhere awaken
The other portions of our continent, have
like generous, virgin soil, with fairer CLINE
but they remain unconquered wildernesses,-
and their people unprogressive.
The glorious achievements ofthe mind an
the hand at this period of wonderful progre
&ll over TIC WOflu. are out rcSuIJo Oh Illc III
tellectual impulses of freedom, first awaken
cd by the successful issues of the America
Revolution, which began in 1875 and emboC
led its design in the Declaration on the 4th
July, l776. Its light first woke up Europ
and after long struggle with the past,
has changed the social and material conditio
of Elder Christendom. Its power is exten'
ing over the Pagan world, and wherever q
spirit of modern commerce and enterprise
which is an American impulse-there is q
power of American Revolution displaye
The changes going on in Asia are almo
as directly the results of the labor of Amer
can patriots, as are the majestic improv
NETS of our own land. The old world h
imbibed our thoughts and our spirit, whiC
has been born to us with the civil freedom
bequeathed to us by the patriots of the Rev
luton.
The Declaration OF Independence was adopted by
vote OF Congess, on the "a, bat was not signed a
promulgated till the Ith.
The shows TO.day.