The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1858-07-03
- NaLLoaaI Ind9pendonoo.

our FulloUNl Independence Wy niAf4 81 tNN
Continenta Congress The old bell that an
uouHecd the joyful event TO the people Of
Philadelphia, has become q sacred relic By
a hat remnfkabe Circumstances which
many eaa hardly believe 70 hove been forluI-
tgus, q boro Ia rAi1ed letters upon i!s broad
disc, the prophetic inscription PRoclAm
LIHmV 10 ALI lHE RHAHTASIa of TUE
LAND. Within a few years n has boon re-
moved from lie elevated position, where for
three iourths Of a century ita mellow tones
associated with revolutionary fame, had cher
ishcd the patriotic pride, and gladdened the
heart Of the great city, and ia now resting
from ~ lAbors Ia Independence Hall among
the statue, and portraits Of the sages and ho-
roos whoH names and deeds are embalmed
in the nations memory lIenceiouh, Ike its
associated memorials Il will teach through
the eye the great lessons Of our national his
tory, Long may II be preserved 10 rehearse
the origin of our civil libeuief, which, bap'
t,ed and nurtured IN blood have been pre-
served and protected by religion and law
We do well 10 treasure up and honor all
such memorials ofour National Independence,
They are useful teachers 10 No, and may DO
70 those who shall succeed 70 tho inheritance
Of the civil and religious freedom which We
enjoy We do well, qlso, 10 celebrate with
public assemblies aud national fesIyty, our
national birthday, Il IL right and grateful
In Us TO rejoice IN, and enjoy, the blessings
which Heaven has 30 hluut.iuliy conferred
upon us. Il l. well, however, TO inquire
whether our ordinary mode Of celebrating
this anniversary has not oyerlookcd,sT been,
subvrrsye Of the ends that should be sought
and secured therebyi and We shall not be
likely to mistake IN our Judgment upon such
inquiry, IL wo consider for moment what
chiefly We have been accustomed 90 celebrate
on such occasions, Not, We believe, the
emancipation Of the nation from dcspotc rule
and IL, investment with the immunlics Of q
State independent Of pope and aking, 40
much as the hloudy instrumen,nltics with
which the result was achieved the war and
carnage, the smoke aud thunder of the con-
act with which our nations day Of liberty
aud peace was ushcred IN. We have been
100 much accustomed to rejoice and cXult
not in the elevation Of American ideas to u
larger comprehension Of human rights and
capabilities, to n recognition in our social re-
lalions Of the public good, rs the only jus,
basis Of al civil Institutions, and to the nc.
ceptnnec aud practice Of voluntary submits
sion to the popular will as our sufficient aud
rgh,ful sovereign when embodied in author.
iscd requirements or prohibitions not in con.
traycntion with the divine or higher law
but, rather in the braggart style of the jockey
or pugilis,c school, that our forcfathcrs had
'pluck and bottom :" that they fought and
whipped the British and drove them from
our soil.
II ha, been this with kindred acccmpnn'-
mcnts that h.s brought the annual celebration
Of this day into disrepu,c with all sober and
,lolghlful men, so that ore in danger Of
being compelled to taxi, part IN the same is
ready to cAclaim in the language Of cowpcr,
somewhat modified to suit his case,
Oh, for , ledge In some vast Wilderness,
Some hnuudl.lA coniiGuiiy uf shAdp.
Where Wmor q FoWM 81 juiy dO,HH.
Ofunsueecsshl or successful cont,
Might never reach me ~ Gre,
There are not wanting however, rational and
appropriate modes Of celebrating the day
which, while they would pay due honor to the
memory Of the patriotic men, and women
too, who pclil,d all for the freedom which
No cnioyl might, at The same time furnish
pleasant and appropriate occoSiou5 Tor 5gciai
intercourse opportunities also for dispensing
lessons Of instruction pertaining to cursoeiol
duties and relations, such as would interest
both the old and the young and serve to
qualify LIS all 10 appreciate more justly our
inheritance of civil and rclig ious lbcrtyi to
inspire US with love Of our country and sym
pnlhy for the opprcssedi and incite US to do
what We may to nmclioratc the condition Of
suffering humanity in our own and in all
! lands.
Such appropriation Of the day we hope, ant
confidently expect, sometime to see.