Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1858-07-09
Fourth Of July Celebration.

Independence a me platform anu comtOrta-
bile seats were erected under the shade trees
that surround the house, large flags were sus-
pended between the trees, and, there being a
considerable reduction in the temperature, the
place altogether was rendered attractive and
pleasant. Shortly after 9 o'clock, the meeting
was organized by appointing Doct. William
Cummins, Presidents Geo. w. Cummins, Esq,
and Capt. VIM. Denney, Vice Presidents; and
Robt d. HOtfecker, Secretary. After few in
troductory remarks by the President, and an
appropriate prayer by the Rev. NJ. Jerman,
Doct +. d. Daley read the Declaration of In
dependence in clear and distinct manner
Rev. Wm ii. Brisbane was then announced as
one OF the orators of the day. He addressed
the audience for more than half an hour, on
the history of the " Declaration" lis address,
though terse with historical facts, showing great
research in the obscure history of our young
Republic, was none the less eloquent and at.
lractvc to the audience.
1t is question, said Mr.. B whether any day
Of the year excites SO worldwide an interest as
the fourth of July. From the cool waters of
st. John to the orange groves of Florida from
Nootka Sound to the San Diego, from ocean to
ocean, aye! over the oceans, seas, rivers, Of the
world, wherever the white sail ships of our
commerce have carried the star-spanged ban
ncr, it leaps to-day with a gladder embrace TO
the morning sun. Our hills and Wales. in re-
Spouse to Foarse-throateG cannon, give back the
sounds with which they were familiar when the
hosts of Washington pressed with bleeding
brow or bleeding feet their wintry SHOWS and
their summer sward.
Why Is tins The answer to this may be
found in our succeeding remarks on the history
of the Declaration of independence. The idea
of national liberty was thing of growth. The
first idea of colonial union was in the confedera-
ton Of the New England colonies in 1913,
formed for mutual protection against the Dutch
on the one hand, and the Indians on the other
The first Colonial Congress, representing all
,he colonies, met in l714. 1t took hundred
aud thirty years to reach that point. In 1774,
Col. Cartwright and Dean Tucker, in England,
advocated the independently of the colonies
but the idea was not advanced on this side of
Tue AlIdHtiC SdIIlCl luuH Ad'c' Va bitS dbI
April of that year, the Legislature of North
Carolina passed Resolutions asserting the right
of the Colonies to independence. In May fol
lowing, the people of Mecklenbcrg, N. c., pass
ed their famous Declaration of Independence
which bears such striking similarity 10 that
of Congress June 4th, 1915, Gen. Green ad-
yocated independence. June 9TH, 177G, R. II
Lee, of Va, presented TO Congress resolution
declaring "that these colonies are and ought
to be, free" This was debated till the 10Th;
then laid on the table till July 1st. June 18th,
Congress appointed Messrs. Jefferson, Adams,
franklin, Sherman and Livingston, a committee
to draft Declaration of independence. They
reported on the 2Sth of June, and it was laid
over till Monday July lst when, in committee
Of the whole, both the Declaration and MIR.
Lees resolution were debated the latter pass
ed on the ID, and on the afternoon Of July 4th,
l776, was adopted the Declaration of Indepcn-
dence 1t was signed and copies Immediately
sent to the different colonies and to the army 10
be publicly read.
1t seemed providential that the Declaration
was adopted on that day; for, few days after
commissioners arrived from England to treat
with Congress and reconcile the two countries
Considering the large number of colonists who
were anxious for q redress Of their grievances
and reconcil ation with Great Britain, it is no
improbable that an earlier arrival of that com
mission would have secured this result, and de
feated the hopes of colonial independence.
6 IL. Ton lora ion ttyor
iucalculable. II frightened the hopes of tn
people. gave new vigor to the struggle for lib
eriv. confirmed the ALTERING and cheered In
weak.
The political effects were not less important
7, cut off all allegiance to the British Crown
and set us before the world as Tree and lnd'
nendent nation, knowing its rights and dctel
mined to maintain them. Its effects upon tn
world have been stupendous Under its in
nulses. France has twice struggled to throw c
the yoke of despotism, and all Europe has tren
hled with the throes of revolution. The toes
of liberty has rolled its echoes along the Rim
the Po, the Danube,-they have been hui
hack by the white mountains ofrSwltzerlaT
and the hills Of Carpathia. True, these stru
giles for liberty have all well-nigh failed
Why! Because they lacked the necessa
moral and religious element to give them su
cess. God has taught US by the history Of t
world-tremendous lesson-that civil liber
has its lfe-spring in pure aud undcfed relgie
At the conclusion of Mr.. Brsbanes adore
the Rev. J. E Grammer was introduced, wi
for three-quarters of an hour, entertained t
audience in a most eloquent and finished o.
Ton, appropriate to the occasion, DWELL
mainly on the purchase of Mount Veraou
in reference to documents sent (directed) to
Mayor aud Council of Smyrna, by the Reg,