The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-07-07
I'd. The memory of Washington.

MIR. MeitZ.
Sd. The Union and the Constitution.
Response by the Band, which was re-
ceived by three hearty cheers.
4th. The progress of Freedom.
Mr.. Robt. Watson gave the following
sentiment in reply.
The progress of Freedom-as it has advan
ced in the past, so may it continue to advance
in the future, until every vestige of tyranny
and oppression, both in our own and other
lands is completely annihilated. and the time
comes
"When all mems good shall he each mans rule
And peace lie like shaft of lig hit across the
land,
And like lane of beams across the sea.
Through all the circle of the golden year.
sth. The flag of orr Union.
Responded to by music.
9th. Our Schools and Colleges-The grand
pillars of our national growth and prosperity.
The following response was given BY
E. E. Pratt.
Aswe are here assembled to-day TO mani
fest in some degree our regard for our country's
interests by celebrating the anniversary of her
birth, it becomes US to briefly remind ourselves
OF the Causes which tend to build up and pro-
mote our national prosperity and renown.-
And the sentiment Just now read turns our
thoughts to an influence which more than any
other has given US all that political position,
national greatness, true grandeur, pride of the
past and hope for the future, which we now
possess or ever expect. 1t is with laudable
pride that we contemplate the dignity of our
position-what we have already achieved in
establishing this republic, and Judging the fu-
ture by the past who can estimate our coming
destiny? What pen or pencil-what power of
eloquence or skill of artist could portray what
the future waits to unfold to us if we but move
forward in the course already started, and
guard ourselves against the Entertainments OF
ignorance and superstition, of vice and infdel-
ity, by erecting on the broad, deep, firm foun-
dation which has been laid in the e:tablsh-
ment of our system of public schools, a super
structure of ennobliug. diffusiye, Christian ed
ucation.
The cornerstone of this foundation was laid
by that handful of men eff iron nerve, who Ian
ded with their frail bark at Plymouth Rock.
amid the SHOWS of New England winter
They were among the feeblest of the feeble,
few and faint yet fearless STILL" They We're
n Il
with but scanty supply OF provisions, and a
mid the terrors of the savage jewellers of the
land. They were COMP any of homeless
houseless men, women, and tender children
Yet these trials were as naught to them, be-
cause the deep, unquenchable fires of liberty-
liberty, civil and religious, burned within them.
They triumphed over every hardship, and the
"secret OF their success was the simple Truth
that they were men of the Church and the
School House. Blest badges of New England!
True source of all her greatness ! 1t is to these
that We trace her renown, and to the continu-
ed existence of these, must we bend our hopes
of future influences in directing and controll-
ing the destinies of our nation.
ciple, not only form the basis ofprosperity and
happiness ofthe people, but are the real SAFE
guard of republican government, for which
no substitute can be fol- nd
Every individual has his proportionate share
of influence. Public opinion, is the opinion of
individuals, and this the grand moving pow
er in a republic, AS every drop of water adds
its own weight and force in turning the whe. !.
SO the sentiments ofeach individual go to form
the authority by which our laws are made and
executed.
When Public Opinion is sick-when the
canker- worm Folly, eats at its hearts core
when the general inflammation oflgnorance aud
leprosy of Superstition combine to render its
actions morbid, spasmodic and uns,n1el}T'--
then do wesee the opposite of our country
Then are the actions of communities character
lied by vice, wickedness, and brutal inhuman-
ity. Then is the Holy Jnquisition of the
Church of Rome begotten, and thousands of
upright mon hunted, oppressed, prosecuted and
executed. Then have we an example of op-
preston such as our fathers fled from when
they chartered the Mayfower, and sought the
wilds of the Western Continent, in which to
plant the germ of a republic in the benefit of
whose free institutions We glory to-day.
But we thank Heaven and our forefathers.
that an antidote can be provided for such dis
eases of Public Opinion, that mental and NOR
al culture for the people will remove all such IT.
Irregularities and cause all things to move in
harmony with truth and the principles of JUS
tice.
Still better will it be to work upon the prin-
ciple that "an ounce OF prevention is worth a
pound of cure" and SOW knowledge broadcast
over the land, so that learning shall take the
place Of ignorance, and sound Judgment of SUI
perstition.
May Science be no longer clustered in mon
asteries, no longer imprisoned in walled collie
ges." May the gates of the once impregnable
GAIA of learning, be unhinged and carried off
by the modern intellectual Sampsons, and the
broad pathway to her Utmost recesses be spread
wide open to all.
The deep debt ofgratitude imposed upon US,
by the wise labors and thoughtful forecast of
our ancestors. we must not fail to meet and to
paw with full interest added. Nor must we
fail to toll as sedulously for the good of poster
ity. as our progenitors toiled for our good, and
we cancel the debt we owe, just SO far as we
are earnest and successful in this duty. The
good of untold generations viii be influenced
by what we do. or by what we omit to do:
ond CARTEL IL tho rpSnouSibi1itv