Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-07-08
ADDRESS.
Delivered By Hon. r. NE VEIL at
Bristol on the 18th Ju1V. I..
NJ. NJ. S.

Bristol on the 18th July.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN 1T has
been customary on occasions like the
present, as we celebrate the anniversary
of our American Independence to
speak of our forefathers as heroes, pa
triots, and rs sages Men,who perilled
their lives in the defence Of their ooun-
try, to establish those institutions which
make us what we are-and so they were,
but they have gone to their rest.
To speak Of Washington as the Say
Tor Of his country from despotic monar-
chy, as a great chieftan, and an humble
Christian, whose mem Dry and virtues
are to be cherished and revered till our
nation ceases to be, and so he was-but
he is now rcaping his reward!
To speak Of our country as great
country, but what makes it great coun-
try? Is it its extent? In territory she
hardly equals the British possessions in
North America. Is it in her army? The
President informs us there are not sold
iers enough, who canbe spared, to cope
successfully with n small rebellious ter
ritory. Is it in her commerce re be
sure her sails whiten every sea, yet Eng
land is more than a match for her
What, then, constitutes the greatness of
our country? 1t is the intelligence of
theI masses Of the people They may
not be great in literary culture, but gen
eral information is ditfused through the
whole masses. They have a general
knowledge Of political economy, and
few can be found who, by birth or adop-
ton, can be strictly called American.
who do not understand the rights of
man, and are not ready to defend them
Few can be found who are unaquainted
with the principles Of a Republican Gov
ernment and are not ready to support it.
And, | am happy to avail myself of this
occasion, to sp ak Of those who have
adopted this country as their future
home, though they still remember tne
play grounds of their youth-the thous-
and pleasing associations Of early days
the friends, whose memory fingers on
the other side the sea; yet, with pleas
ure, they cultivate knowledge of self.
government, and cherish those princi-
pies which make us great people.
In these remarks | have no reference
to that class Of foreign population, who
have no sympathy with our American
institutions, who have come into this
country, as the man said he did-on ac-
count of his belief-and when asked
what his belief was, said ellie believed
he should have been hung if he hadn't
come J" But | refer to those who hate
tyranny, and have come to this country
to enjoy the rights Of freemen.
/ ask again, what is it that makes us
y great nation? 1t is the integrity of
the masses of the people. Political lead
ers may be corrupt, and those placed
high in power may prove treacherous
and base, yet integrity remains with the
people.
However dark and unpfomising the
future may seem--though demagogues
and disappointed politicians cry disun-
ion, or down with the Republic, yet aa-
tegrity remains with the people, and
large majority Of the people will be rea-
dy to face our coeuat2y'S da,agers, and
protect our coantay's rights!
Among the masses you will find those
true to the political maxim, that the ma
jority have the right to govern, and to
the moral maxim, that it is the duty Of
the majority so to govern, as to pre-
serve inviolate the equal rights of all.
They may not be found among the
great, they may be unknown in the tenn
Iple of fame, yet they may be found
among the masses!
1t is the integrity and intelligence of
the people that makes any nation great.
We were taught long ago, that in
arbitrary governments, the more igno,
rance the more peace
But in a Republic, intelligence is the
life of Liberty!
Eighty-two years have passed since
this country was declared free and in
dependent.
Most successfully have we tried the
Republican form. We have found no
necessary evils in our Government. If
there are evils, the evils exist only in
its abuse!
Can we have Iany doubt of its perpe-
tuity? Evidences Of its stability and
perpetuity increase and strengthen
every year.
Despots in the old world are constant
y casing the burdens of the common
people, and are adopting, one after one,
the principles of our Republican form.
Russia is granting to the serfs some
of the rights Of man
The great Imperial Throne will soon
be compelled to unlock her gates, and