The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-07-04
fsagsk II JoIY.

IA5dtlon Ol -imSticau AhoePeuueHCes "sS
read to the Congress Of the United States,
then assembled in Philadelphia. TIE mere
separation Of mighty empire was, Of itself
sufficient to give to this anniversary aprom-
incnt place in the records Of man. Prior to
this occurrence, one sovereign claimed the
allegiance Of millions Of his fe!low-men-
the enssrprisipg population of one OF the
faircst portions Of the globe. This event
terminated forever that allegiance. The
struggle which preceded it was fierce and
hear.-rending; a. all such contest between
neighbo.s and friends must be, and the null
,iplied acts Of heroisn which marked its
progress, wrought out in bold relief, addi-
tional and new traits Of moral grandeur in
the character Of man. The foundations of
a new empire, comprehendins within its
srea, geographical extent, vast resources OF
power, and means OF national and individual
wealth, from the bosom of one old in power,
ssiilsd and celebrated IN matchmaking
the ocens by her naval proves, and dis
,inguishcd IN scienc. and legislation, would
Of ,.seIf. he sufIcjcn, to ado.n the page OF
history.
Rat another view Of this event, gives to
Il n.cuIIar End additional interest. On this
.!av. e. .hty one years ago, new principles OF
civil acton were declared and acknowledged,
and u Government established recognizing
O. relation between the governing power aud
toe c:.ilen, more Just, more beneficial, and
move confortnaD!e 10 the rights OF man, than
nuy pgUyaous human system. True 1t Is,
that national liberty had been though, OF
and advocated IN the closet. True II Is,
that poetry had painted its charms, and
philosophy had discovered and taught Its
nrIuciples-~but never were the aspirations
Of the good and great of ancient and modern
times, fully realized until the adoption OF
the Declaration Of Independence, and the
s,bscau.nt formation Of the American Con
stitution.
Liberty is the birth-right Of man. On
tho tablets Of natural law, it is indeiibly
written in language inteIiigbIe to the
whole human race, and in characters not to
be cradieated BY the eorruption8 OF time, ana
far more durable than monumental brass.
Hy its immutable principles man knows no
sovereign but his creator; no Hing but the
mighty one Of Israel, who sways the uni
verse. This principle of natures law Is
,mmutable. Century after century may
pass away and minsl their records together
in the ocean Of eternity, still II Will DC the
same. The Declaration Of American lnde-
pendence is but transcript of this law OF
nnture-~a luminous beam Of liberty and
wisdom-and in declaring "that all men
we're created free and cqual,' that all men
"wcrs endowed by their creator with GER
tain inalienablc rights, among which "were
life. liberty, and the pursuit Of happiness,
i, but reeitcd truth coeyal with mans
creation. Lost, rs it were for ages, 1t was
brought TO light in the American system,
and holds conspicuous place in that instrn-
tnGnt, wUltu uttitits pai i'NV"'" 'A'A'
British tyranny, giving life and liberty to
millions Of the human race.
It contains another principle equally true,
and which may perhaps be termed exclusive
" American doctrine. 1t is, "that Gov
crumcntS were instituted among men, to
secure the nnl;onabe rights OF nature, and
that the consent of the governed alone can
give sanction to power. No other 81 rn-
m.nt on earth practically recognizes this
doctrine.
again, il il also American doctrine, that
whenever any form Of government becomes
destructive "of these natural rights, it is
the right of the people to abolish such gov
mrut. and to institute new one, laying its
foundation On such principles, and organ'-
.ny us powers in such form as TO them
shall seem most likcly to effect their safety
napp,nc>s. II government originate with
pnt from the people. rs 1T essentially does,
,b, .ht to allHv or abolish IL CO. incident
lnl ,u.e unqu>sttonablc. During the con
,ulssvc Struggle, whsch wrought out our
inopc,,l, nee, 1t was predicted by many
II b. European statesmen, that man was
no. capable Of self government, and that
ths cad Of the American Revolution, would
he a short ed triumph, total defeat, or the
81 vasoa Of some ambitious d"magogue to
power. How false the prediction How
hb-htcd the hopes of our enemies The
efcI Was accomplished result is glo
rious. aud here We stand the proud monu-
meats Of that most noble strusgle-our H.
st,,asions become lights to the benigh'ed
nations Of the Garth.
Let us look at the progress Of the United
States under the influence Of free iusiltu.
tons. Eighty-one years ago, this nation
was composed of thirteen feeble colonies.
with about three million Of inhabitants. 1t
now numbers thirty-anc independent and
sovereign States prosperous and wealthy,
with population Of about thirty millions of
frermen, Our possessions are equal in ex-
tent to that Of all Europe. We have a
healthy climate, fertile soil, laws Of cur own
making aud rulers Of our own choosing
What more could freemen ask? Thus far.
our course has been onward, and our march
unparalleled IN the history Of nations, an
H'cn' or modern
Our own State too. is deserving Of PASS
INK notice. \ few years since. ard th,. en-.
tire country lying between the Mississippi
AMI Missouri Riv srs. vas an unbroken waste,
inhabited only. by the sara-e rc,t-msn and
the un,amea beasts Of the forest. Ba, now.
hau changed thc scene. The wilderness is
beginning 10 'sbui sni blossom like the
rose" that which was thea wide rxpaase
Il anbrokca pra;Eics, has given place to
moving seI,l. Of grain; the beasts of prey
have disappeared, aud where once Was seen
the rcd mans camp, aaw is seen the white
L.. sak