Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-07-07
EBENSBURG, JULY Z, 1858.

little opportunity of foreign aid or support /
Some few whom the same causes had forced
to brave the same dangers occasionally joined
the first emf grants.
In process Of time, from the unremitted
industry of our hardy ancestors, the wilder
ness became checkered with cultivated fields;
and cities and towns arose upon the margins
of our bays and rivers. The busy hum of
Commerce commenced; and happiness and
prosperity began to dawn IN our land. This
state of prosperity aroused the jealousy of the
mother country The British ministry. eth
er willing to Fill those Golfers, which had been
drained by the long wars in which the nations
bad been engaged, or dreadiug the increase
of power, and resolving TO humble ai.d de-
press IN infamy that strength, which after
wards made their Lion to crouch and tremble
in his den, imposed upon the cOlonlSts the
taxations and burden, and inflicted the Indig
mites, which are so teeiingly complained of,
and so we'll described in the Declaration OF
our Independence, which Las been read to
you.
The cupidity Of the British ministry was
frustrated by the frmness of the American
people-by the selfdenial of those Injuries
70 which they had been for awhile accustom-
ed, anu which they had began to consider as
necessary for their comfort. a cue sense Of
the injuries they were suffering, and of the
illegality of the imp0sitio1s to which they had
been subjected, aroused their apprehension,
and awakened their pride y fixed resolution
10 resist the march of tyranny, dictated the
non-intercourse and importation acts
i firm and general resolve not to use or TO
buy the merchandise of England pervaded
? = l,IY -rEn Il
, been used to al the incry of luxurious ex-
travagance, cheerfully submitted to the scanty
/ and rude supply, which the then infant state
J Of our manufactures afforded
: After having endured suferings and indig-
/ mites bevond measure-after the cup of hui
initiation had been drained to the very dregs
/ after every appeal 10 the feelings and the
/ Justice of the mother country, had been Ii
vain made the resor; 10 arms was had The
/ God of Hosts was invoked, and the energies
of the country were brought into action, in
! defence of invaded rights. 'tOur fathers
rose with giant strength and burst the shaeklcs
Of bondage The struggle was long anu
srduous bUt patriotism inspired the breasts
love OF Liberty nerved the arms-and " ash
ingtyn, under the auspices Of . benign Deity,
/ directed the destuIes OF cur country.
When we consider the comparative strrngth
( Of Great Britain and America at the com
meucement Of The Revolution. We are filed
with astonishmeDt at the bolduess Of that bra
VERY which dared TO resist IN what appeared
almost 4 hopeless struggle, almost the effect
of unthinking desperation. Great Britain
was then oRe Of the most powerful nations or
earth. Her navies were riding triumphan
! on every ocean. Her armies were marching
/ TO sure victory wherever the safety Of tht
country or the ambition of the Ministry ii
rected them Proud Of the talents and bra
very Of her naval and military officers, stroG,
in the number and discipline Of her armies
and, although immensely in debt, Fet power
: ful in resources she considered our opposi
, ton as mere Pygmean resistance, one tia
, she looked upon with contempt, easily {
be put down by the mere fTowns Of her q
gaatic power. The Americans were desti
tute of navy and an army. They were Al
=, most destitute Of officers experienced in til
arts of war, and they were destitute of th
:, necessary funds for carrying it On An III
: disciplined militia had to oppose the prove!
a of veteran troops unused TO defeat. But Ii
! recollection Of their wrongs, and their certai
a misery if defeated, inspired the American
J with the irresistible bravery and herculea
: strength. Although the times were fearfl
;, and gloomy, yet few deserted the cause
- their country. We had but one 4Tuold =
\ Heaven averted the consequences OF b
"a treachery; and the contempt of the world hi
II followed him.
y At first but few dared to hope for Ind
6 pendeuce The opposition was considere
a. By many as only the means of procuring T
! dress Of the grievances under which they
90 bored Such men rs Patrick Henry on
h looked forward with a prophets eye TO Il
- future destinies of their country; and by &
: irresistible power of their eloquenoe prepar
: the minds Of the people for the pang of ?
J. litical separation from the mother country.
a When Independence was proclaimed,
a almost universal burst Of appreciation folio
f ed The spirit of resistance spread over I
!, whole country The People knew that t
: RrJtcon had been passed, that there was
= safe retreat, that they must support the DE-
: laration, or sink into an abject state of 81
y lection. IF our Revolution had failed, N
= cradle would have been the fate of at lei
= the leaders of that time They would Ia
- suffered all the punishment annexed to /
- crime of treason in the sanguinaTy penal &C
: of England Like the ilustrious Emm
= the youthful Hero of4reland. our beloy
=. Washington would have been dragged TO
7 ignominious death, for having dared to defe
81, the rights of his country. But Heaven
T. rected otherwisa-W ashington lived to
10 his country free-to enjoy the blessings
as. his countrymen, and the highest honors Il
- could confer. aud died III good old age,
mented by their tears, leaving character
q soldier, statesman and man, unequal
g by any in any age
M But my fellow citizens. although our
loh S roes were clothed with honor in the war
-he the Revolution, yet it Is from their cond
in the day of peace, and from the resul
ng their glorious struggle that they are enti
'ns to the greatest praise.
ON After hayinr achieYed the freedom of