The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-07-20

I
Faos = Very respectfully your friend
hpO''" ROBERT 4. DAvIDGE.
= Se'eTs ers,.ian. !. m j. G. Committee.
Hoodng, and others
,ov.CrIzSs-LADfEs!
iIO1 l ,rs assembled to-day for the purpose of com
ns.,ti1g the natal day ofour Observation-Disclosures
stances under which we are permitted to
ln,ogtber are peculiarly calculated to impress us
@I ,5ankfuness and gratitude TO the Giver of all
W q, bis benifcenee TO us as individuals and as
ggl for, to-day while we are here peacefully as
~Al AllJ at this very moment while You are listening
-j am addressing you continental Europe is being
sksn from centre to circumference by the tramp Of
~. sad armies while the roar Of artillery is resound
" ". Lr,sgbout her terror stricken borders Our sis
S.npb US Mexico, distracted and divided by factions
ba sceae Of anarchy and revolution, and the streets
JLr oaee splendid cities crimson with the blood
y unnatural gfnfict. Yet we in the providence of
sgsB are hittrd to come together under the shade
TtEs,e beautiful trees, and while the sun shines
T.,Aty abuve our heads unelouded by the smoke of
Z gGnq on prhsperously, are privileged to talk to
Y. Stbsr upon that theme--the most inspiring and
sobeloyed that ever thrilled the breast of man-to
~ ofbertyl Such be my grateful task to day!
I, the old State house in the city of Philadelphia
s,mav Be vet seen, among other quaint and curious
5S Ofthe early history Of our country an old bell.
m ryaees of time have left upon it, as upon all else
ss.tb The sun the marks of his corrodng touch, for
fsold he'll has become rusty and dim with the pelt-
:, II MANY storm, end its iron cheeks as if weary
tsst With continued speaking, have at length yield
4 too 10 the dilspidating touch of nature-have be-
s iroken and cracked and the old bell now refuses
! .53 forth tone of music. 1t stands upon pc
IgR elevated from he floor simple in its appearance,
n surrounded by nomeritrcious traPpinga or adorn-
-ans Not an inscription even around, OF above, or
sasb Il is there to tell the visitor its story and
N il has story interesting and attractive. have
gs5d, nv friends and gazed uPon it with sacred
vs sent and reverenta emotion, such as that with
vbjs We look upon some lorg kept memento of de-
,rsd friendship or severed association. Not that a
s4s niece Of metal iHtrinsicaly valueless, contain
tvrohing in itself either TO please the eye attract
III bHey could thus awaken emotions! But there
DE- times and places when "trifes light air," the
sstinanmate objects can awaken within the human
nast in fullest force and power, the widest fell of
bought the most boundless prospect for the indulg
Doe d imagination.
There is my fellow citizens, connected with this
ID bell history peculiarly interesting, and dear to
gqy one within the sound of my voice-of singular
moment and Importance to every American citizen.
Eulegendarr story no idle tale Of sorrow-but real
hy truthful episode in the worli's history replete
s1d oYeFaOwing with matter Of exultation and pride
b every son Of Columbian soil
hss been S years ago this day, since the old bell
hsn penden from the lofty dome in independence
bill Valed forth in clear, loud and jubilant emphasis
Ios Oimasc that fell on the listening ear of anxious
nasui women scattered throughout the broad land
With an unction sweeter far than minstrel everawoke
Ii The breast of warrior or lover
Ia notes we're of liberty! Its chaunt was the song of
htsdon and the funeral knell of tyranny! 1t pro
dinei to the people Of these United States that in.
dependence with which God at first endowed them,
Ad which has been secured to you and me by the
nansIahon and triumph Of the principles contained
ptha glorious instrnnient OF writing you have heard
nd in your presence to-day.
The morning of July the 18th, l776, dawned glori-
as and bright the lakes and mountains of the
HEvord The bright God Of day" glded with re-
hgen beauty the varied landscapes of her magnifi
cent forests and smiling dales; the face of nature
hesame bright aspect as of yore; and even the calm
blue heavens betrayed not the mighty agitation that
Rm going on within the breasts of human beings be-
aalh them. But there 0Gs an agitation-a deep, 81
nsnd anxiOusly painful feeling stirring the depths
dgey patriot heart throughout this land. The war
The revolution had indeed begun-the work had
commenced at Lexington in June of the preceding
yaf British and American bayonets had already
ssshed ct Bunker Hill and Concord, and martyrs in
ne cause Of American freedom had already poured
bfh their blood ia rich libatons upon the altar of
aar country and atonement had yet to be made
you'd It be done? That was the question. This the
a1se Of thatdeep and earnest feeling pervading the
country continued series of outrages by the gov
Elnent Of Great Britain upon the rights of the colo
MES Fe5evered in for some years antecedent to the
FafhiS-whch aggressons had been received on
aaf part By Invocation upon invocation for redress
grievances and by protes5atiOn upon prOtestation
BanSt their injustice which protestations had been
a On the part Of the British government by insult
'llea 70 insult, injustice to injustice and outrage to
'nge had at length driven the colonies one by one
@ead into preparations for defence each one for it
~ against the encroachment5 of tyranny. But as
!aAoonbnation or association, insuring concert of
s0l sld union of purpose, had been entered into by
~sas o. Whlch they would oppose the common enemy
olca vas the condition of affairs when the CONT
@A congress Of l776 begun its session. ltconvened
y 4 fhsdephs, and commenced its sitting on the
Iasy May, l776 Composed of delegates from
~ the thirteen colonies empowered to act in con-
!; y @ The good of the whole, congress had levied
sSA H. 1egOtiated loans and issued paper, pledging
NJ alted faith for redemption, in order to pay the
T Tarl's o. the war then going on. But as yet all
n n l9os and confusion, all uncertainty and doubt.
@ ~ Nu had indeed been set IN motion, and under
, as which gave encouragement to to the most
h3$ hopes of the great and daring spirits who
R luSurated love of freedom among the masses
A vs. to continue to roll--was it 70 go onward
MI 1pTAtd IN It's progress. it to STOP and re-
abFA
IAs As chains of servitude and slavery?
IaS now stood either of the colonies could at
III ~ -ge make peace with the mother country, with
- a' non this temporary league and leave the 9th
s,.,'f weak and enfeebed, powerless to wage
d,.anuu opposition and to contend against the arm
br, and potent monarchy whose forces were
A,S "aIeu over the bosom of the Atlantic and
gPon our shores like locusts are borne on the
M y lhe south wind
gsstG was Indeed cause for alarm for although the
Bor,S o. the people were favorable to resistance,
daSS - y almost universal feeling for "war to the
p,s,iE5 iE5eSalled, though every part Of the country
.app ~, Sa ule appearance of a nation "in arms and
b5Tt' 5% Ae tay'-there were not lacking men of
baLIIu q wealth and Of influence who looked upon
hlh,st' now being taken by the people with fear
%. r lPs and apprehension. There were tories
doqn MI i whose residence in the country had been
vhcbb bSuo win view Of reaping golden harvest
sere or REGULATIONS ofthe country offered, and who
ht in "a a~atng the accomplishment of their ob.
brb u I % return to the aristocratc land oftheir
tsseDtionsA wy lt-who were assiduous in spreading
tao IL ana ana doubts among the people and in en-
esns !, "a pen the ardour of those who had taken
W like them q 'neif rights ana ~ho "ou'''
Fb, q pend the pregnant hinges of the knee,
Then tba.. bnli1 might follow fawning
bae esln ~ NJ, were Others: men who were not tories
sVrr IN seGcal calculating men, lovers of their
Ihey vara but men afraid of their shadows
psseptaS % otn TO embark in cause which, while it
nd persar, run, eOnfscaton of property. bankruptcy
ecaoI11 the halter or the gibbet. in case Of
Ten in Soua oer nothing in success even to warrant
Esaes A su'Iiiag active movers in such startling
Rsr oeing enacted around them.
sholt I,u mat if successful, we would be thrown
BASES sI5Ye1nnental head or moderator; that the
sud rn rst and unrestraned in their freedom
ueey and a. anu the country become scene of an