Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-06-18


TnE FounrH OF july 1.-The probability is
that if the world holds on in its course couple
of weeks longer.s that the Fourth ofsJnly viii
he upon as, and that, COMPLIMENTARY "note OF
preparatfon' on our part 1t seems TO us some
times as if the Fourth Of July, such as VIC used
to know it in not very remote boyhood, is seri'
ousIy in danger of becoming a defnnct institn-
tiop. Young America is the only population,
these few years back, that in these parts seems
to entertain even a tolerable ,cogpizance of the
day The old fashioned popular assemblages IN
theseroves or in the city town halls, in the
earlier part oFthat memorable day, tohear well
composed and wslifieliyered euIogies upon the
events and suggestions of 20, and the joyous
festivities of the after part of the dAy--these we
say, are,c or seem to be- bye-gones. but why
should they bes Do we appreciate the events
Of TINT great day which ushered freedom in up
ons new world, less iha our fathers, who were,
won't to hold it in such Joyous rememhrance2 2
We hope we do not But this, our day ana
generation is so vastly and overwhelmingly
utilitarian-so calculating, that we estimate
both DAYS and deeds by the Immediate paipa6ie
results which they will net MS. we look
upon our liberties as part and parcels OF our
selves; as something which can never escape
We do not recognise that the motto of him who
framed our great Magma Gharta, that seternal
vigilance is the price of liberty, has any bear
ing upon our condition, save as it effects our
relations with foreign aggressors. Yet 1t IS not
so. We, nor any other people, ever possessed
a great principle of government that was vital
and effectual when its quickening impulse was
II n m
and have ever been the fuel, the waintainance
by which the FIRE Of inward conyietion and APP
probation is kept alive.
We need no gunpowder orgies-no haechan-
alian,revels, or even feasting aud toasting to do
Justice, to keep bright the halo around the 18th
of July. But in these days of conteudipg fac
tions-of warning and jarring sectionalism,
when comprehensive and national love OF
our country and its great organic laws aud
compromises are so darkly beclouded with
internecine strifes, we need often recnr TO
the first principles of all that distinguishes
Us as .,otio~- Gods chosen people, an-
cient Israel, were hcoinmanae.i,I g. se'e'Fet-
the night of the Passover, by visible and tangt-
bic ceremonies. It is the part of duty, of-priV'
iegc and policy, for US to celebrate orr deliver
ance. tits the part of gratitude to thnt FroSl'
dence which so often and 50 signally nterfefed
in our behalf: it is day of privilege vouef-
saled to eycry American. in which no can and
ought To find and listen to "a reason for the
faith which is in him"
Is it not fitting, then. We ask our fellow citI-
zens, that we should make some rational,
intelligent commemoratiou of the anniversary
of our National Independence. We have ora
tors in our midst well skilled to edify aud
refresh the public mind upon the precious
associations and results of the 4th of July. We
have no doubt that Washington Hall could be
had for the asking, for the delivery of one or
more orations in the forenoon, of that day
Other exercises are, no-doubt, intended for the
afternoon and evening, which will, perhaps, be
fitting enoughin their place. But let us all, in
the opening of that day. to the events of which
we owe so much, come together and learn that
of truth it is nc. ordinary day.
Let us have, then, ono or two good, stirring
orations, eulivened1with music, at Washington
Hall, in the forenoon of the Fourth. Men and.
brethren, what do you say? -a sac
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