Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-07-04
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our national Independence, we are not disposed to
indulge ia the extravagant sentimentasm which
usually characteristics foorth-of July orations,
and the fervid defamation Of College tedglings.
On the contrary. we are, perhaps unfortunately
somewhat practical in our nature and not much
given to in1ulgiug in herolcs. Nevertheless tho
Fourth Of July il day which ought not to pass
without some serious reflections particularly,
when we consider that the unity which existed
among the people at the time of tho declaration
of independence. and existed through all the
dangers Of the revolution. has been of late years
so seriously impaired, that even the most conf
dent and hopeful of US are brough, to look upon
the future with doubt and foreboding.
The virtue, the beroism aud the exalted pat
riotism of those who ran the hazardous risk Of
discovering our connection with the mother
country. and erecting the standard of rebellion
in the midst of few weak aud defenceless colo.
MES, have been sufficiently portrayed. Besides
the severe Judgment of history which has been
passed upon them, they have been celebrated in
song, rebearsed upon the stage, and delineatcd
upon the speaking canvass. We may perhaps
feel an undue pride, and beaet ourselves too
exutingly, of the sacrifices and dangers of the
Revolution-but it is fault which cleans to
virtues side" The exutation Of fee born
American citizen, in revertng to our revolution
AIRY and post evolutionary history, may be
cused in the unexamped blessings which have
ensued from that heroic struggle
But our duty is not to forget the present in
our grateful and glowing reeolleotons Of tho
past. When liberty was wrested from tyranny
and beques thed to US in all her bright aud beau
tful proportions, it sacred gift 20 be used
not abused. We may boast Of being free but
the light Of oil history, ancient, medieval and
modern. teaches US the same Impressive lesson
that freedom easily degenerates into licen,ious.
ness, from which there is rand descent into
anarchy and disorder
Attempt TO disguise it may, it is unde
niable that we not, people, Of the same
mould and animated by the same spirt,as those
who achieved our independence At the risk Of
being called croakers aud old fngie. we unhcsi.
tatingly proclaim conviction that the men Of
the present day not If the stamp as
those who Illustrated our revolutionary history.
We know that il is the fashion of expert drma-
gogues to tickle the popular with exalted
tributes to the virtue. intelligence. patriot SIN,
and honesty Of the people. But, we would
not fatter Neptune for his trident" will
not disguise our convictions for the purpose of
floating upon the popular current, or betraying
the safety of the people by praeaiming pence,
peace. when there is peace.
We find our Republic. at this time, afflicted
with sad disorders. We find growing di-u-
clnation to respect, the authority of law, and an
alarming increase of mobocratio spirit. We find
one section of the country drsregarding tho
rights of another and in the private ramifca-
tons of society find the spirit of injustice aud
fraud more and MORE prevalent. The high chiv-
airy, the kDighily courtesy, the tender regard
for the misfortunes and faults of others, which
distinguished our earlier history, exists only
in a sadly degenerate state. The Impotence of
legal restraint the thirst for gold, aud the strug
gle for place, whch show how we have been cor
rupted and debauched a nation, are not the
legitimate effects of that freedom which our AN
cestors bequeathed US as a precious legacy.
1t we're well for Us, such II day as this, to
recur to the exalted patriotism, aud the stern in
tegrity-political as well as personal-of the
revolutionary era, aud refresh ourselves with
truer conceptions Of liberty than those which ex-
ist at the present day. Progressive as are
IN science and the arts we may, with safety, be
retrogressive in government and society. Super
tenfdfds rias 10 the safe rule There is more
danger in Deedlessly tempting the future in vain
longngs after Improvement than in the exercise
OF that conservative spirit which /" holds fast to
that which is good"
We do not say that the heroes Of the revou-
ton would not recognize the country and the
people if they could be brought to life to- day.
But we do say that they would not find their own
conceptions of freedom Illustrated as they de-
signed Instead of finding US one people, rem
deriDg cheerful obedience to law, honest in the
discharge of our duties as citizens and men. loyal
TO government. and peacefully pursuing the avo
cations of well.reguated industry, the reverse
of the picture would confront them in many---too
many-portions of the land. Happily, in Vir-
ginia and the South, the conservative influence
of slavery, and the yet untainted blood of the
Cavaliers and Huguenots, have preserved us
from the disorders which have disgraced other
communities. But it would be criminal to sup.
pose there is no danger-even among US. In
our material prosperity-in the increase of
weaIth--in the extension Of political power-let
US not run riot. and exceed the bounds of safety
and prudence. Let US cultivate the manly vir-