Smyrna times., 1857-07-08
The Fourth In Smyrna.

on the morning of the Fourth, determined that
formal observance, if nothing more, should be
had here, in the reading of the Declaration oi
Independence. Upon consultation, it was learn-
ed that Alex G. Cummins, of Philadelphia, had
come to town the previous evening, and Col.
John Eaton and Capt. VIM. Denney were ap-
pointed a committee to wait on him and the
Rev. w. III. Brisbane; both of whom, after
some hesitation in regard TO the time, consent
ed TO deliver addresses. About this time, be-
tween and 10 o'clock, the Brass Band of
Dover and Camden very opportunely, and with
out any previous notice, "pOpPed in " upon US,
and, before the announcement of its arrival, the
air was made melodous by soul-stirring national
anthems, as if bursting from the clouds in re-
buke of our seeming Indifference; and soon
kindling our patriotic ardOr to the brightest
fame. Arrangements were made with their
leader, Mr.. Richardson, for the musicians as
sistance in the celebration, and flags were
stretched across the streets, which undulated
their brilliant colors of red, white and blue, in
the gentle breeze, whilst preparations were
hastily made at the Upper School House for
the accommodation of the assembly, TO convene
patriotism that was lurking In the hearts of our
citizens, which only needed a single touch to
make it glow with all the ardOr of the sons of
'76. At halfpas two o'clock the church-bell
announced the time of meeting, when process
sion was formed in front of Foxwell's Hotel,
L ell ..l. =
and citizens, attended on either side by mar
shals, and thus marched from thence to the
ground where they were greeted by large
eoncOurse of ladies' and others. The meeting
was organized by electing d. Lockwood, Esq,
President, Jonathan Brown, Esq, and COL
Daniel Cummins, Vice Presidents, and Robt.
d. Hoffecker, Secretary. Rev. A. Cotton then
offered an appropriate prayer; after which, the
President announced Ex-Gov. VIM. Temple,
who read the Declaration of independence in
aelear aud distinct voice. Rev. w. Ii. Brisbane
vas then announced as the first orator, who de- |
livered lucid. eloquent and finished address. |
After sdVcrting TO the shortness of time-only
about I've hsurs-in preparing an address for
such an occasion, and remarkng the feeling |
which could be SO suddenly aroused, he said
that it would not be amiss to examine the origin
aud progress of our civil and religious liberty |
which was so strongly planted in the hearts of
the people, observing That in the Parliament of
l6Ol, the spirit of discomfort at the encroach-
menls Of the Crown prerogatves, long threat |
ening rupture, broke out into open and active |
resistance. With prudence rarely shown by |
crowned heads under such circumstances, this
6iseontent was met by a few well-timed con-
cessions. But scarcely had quiet been restored
when the great Queen died. She was sue
ceeded by that embodiment of weakness and
meanness, James l.; he lived in constant colli-
sion with his Parliament, and an object of uni
versai derision with his people. In his reign
was instituted the commission for translating
the Bible into the English language. The re-
eeptiOn of this Bible was more cordial on the
part Of the dissenters than It was on the part of
the msmbers of the Established Church. To
them the lessons of the pulpit and church-priVi-
leges rarely came, and they turned the more
earnestly TO the Written Word. They read it by
their wOrk.benches and in secret; they heard it
exPOunded by stealth. In that, they learned
they were men and had the rights of manhood.
There grew up in them an intense hatred of
that church which they faheied had invaded
their rights and substituted ceremonies for the
word Of life. 1t was not matter of surprise
that some of them went to a culpab,e extreme;
these, in endeavoring to adopt the spirit of the
Bible, adopted it's language and its most ancient
customs. On the other hand, the National
Church grew more and more violent in its op-
position to the dissenters. Such was the con-
dition Of things when Charles l. ascended the
throne. He was a nan of keen intellect, but of
infiexibie temper,-just the man to bring mat
ters 10 a fatal crisis. Under Cromwell, the
Puritan party were in the ascendant. Ar the
Restoration they became an oppressed minority.
TWAS under such circumstances that the great
ideas of Civil and Religious Liberty received
their greatest development in The English mind.
Under such a condition of things were trained
Oh people who made the greater part of the ear
her eslonisssto thiscountry. They were men who
had earned FROM the Bible that they had civil
and religious rights of which no power could
divest them. The speaker then proceeded to
show that civil liberty was the fruit Of religious
sentiment,--that our free government was
resslk Of the translation of the Word Of God
into the English language,--that the sentiment
of the Declaration of Independence, " All men
are bora equally Free is simple and direct
Oasgrowth Of the great Bible rule of life" Do
ye unto others as ye would have them do unto
yOu." = We appeal,~ said he, q to no imperial
standard Of a worldwide empire as the palla-
diam Of our rights,-we appeal to no Magma
cAarta written on parchment, subscribed by
king and mobiles, as the security of our Iiber- |
hes; appeal TO the great charter Of human