The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1859-07-02
Original ArtitIc.
For he Cecil Wing
TIE FOURTH OF JULY.

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On the fourth day Of July, cighty-thrce
years ago, the State House bell rang out in
its musical tones, and informed the people Of
Philadelphia and vicinity, that the Delegates
froul the different Colonies, had, in Convention
assembled, adopted by their votes, a Dcclara-
ton renouncng ali further allegiance to King
George, and his country.
In connection with the adoption of The
Declaration of Independence, the following
touching story is related: " On the morning
OF the day ofits adoption, the venerable bell
man assembled to the stecple, and little boy
was placed at the door Of the Hall to give him
notice when the vote should be concluded -
The old man waited long at his post, saying,
'Thcy will never do it They will never do
it, Suddenly shout came up from below.
and there stood the blue-eyei boy, clapping
his hands, and shouting, r ing II ing y -
GraSping the iron tongue Of the bell, backward
and forward the old man hurled it a hundred
times pro,l i'll in. 6 ID gty TO the land, and TIE
inhabitants thrreof.'
What bold act was the adoption OF that
Declaration! 1t was not the act Of the
moment, but days were spent in its considera-
ton. A people without name, commerce
or property, destitute Of all that makes Il
nation-eXccpt bravery and pair;otiSm--
sevcring the political bonds that bound them
to another, assuming position independent
of and antagonistical to, one Of the most
powerful notions of the earth. Never WAS
greater bravery exhibited, unless it was that
which sustained that Declaration, until they
had trinmphed over every foe
Ever since ihatevcnt, the 4th of July has
been observed as a holiday by large portion
OF the American people. \ day on which
the cannon has doomed, the rockets assembled,
and long and eloquent speeches been made
engaged in it.
" Let us emulate them still
Peaceful deeds and warlikc skill
More than all, in changrle:s will,
On the better side
Let us on this day listen to the history of our
heaven-fa favored country, and the trials and
deeds of our forefathcrs. Ourchildrcn should
be taught to revere it, for in them rests the
future OF the country, either for veal or for
woe.
And while VIC are teaching our children The
past history of our country, and to remember
the acts of our ancestors, and to duly observe
this day, let us examine and sec if there are
not certain things which it is our duty to cor
rect, before We arc gathered to our fathers. so
that when our children shah be called upon to
take our places, they will receive the institu-
tons OF the country AS pure and correct as
they were handed down to us. ] shall now
point out to you some of the errors which sadly
need thorough and speedy correction and
i'll doing so, do not speak as u politicians but
as an humble native born citizen; as one who
loves his country because Of her institutions,
and not because Of the profits Of her offices;
as one who loves her Independence, and,
above ALL her OPEN BlULE.
For the past five or six years the copntry
ilas certainly been going through a Tying
ordeal. 1t does seem as if all her enemies
had set to work to destroy her, and that right
quickly; but thus far they have been unsuc-
cesstul, and have such STRONG faith in the
wisdom and patriotism of the people, that !
believe she will come ont in the end triumph
ant over all the opposition and corruption
that has been brought against her
During that time, civil war has reigncd
within our borders. Citizens from different
parts of the Union have met in conflict and
butchercd each other; obnoxious constitutions
have been attempted to be forced on free
people, by bribery and other means; the
elections carried by government money, the
rifle and bowie knife. And what was the
cause of all this! Why, the ambition of few
deniagogues and the betrayal by Congress
men Of the trust imposed in them by their
constituents
In another part of the country, handful of
people have been permitted to carry on the
country, expel the officers set over them by
the government, and to openly defy our
troops. BY bungling and acknowledgement,
many Of the troops sent to chastisc them have
either persisted or been disabled on the
journey and the few who are arrived there
are kept inactive Thus we see our laws
trampled on, and our troops drtied, by "A
set of infatuated beings and women
who can sink no lower in the scale Of i'm
morality and crmc-and who would long ago
have been compelled to sue for peace, had not
the Offices Of high trust in the nation been fl!ed