, 1859-08-05

n,
ea welfare and the blessings of liberty to our
selves and posterity, do oIdain this Constitution
Under this Constitution the Union has prospered-
From thirteen original States, it has increased to
conicderacy Of thrtythree. Vastly multiplied III
population; of extended and yet extending domain
from infant Republic it is recognized CONTROL
ing empire Of the world.
II There Is very much of which to he proud in Out
past history spirit OF praise and mutual admiration
ought not to be censured. Pride in the glnres and
successes OF that Union and Of each other is andablc
and should be encouraged. In Territory, particular
ly should these be cultivated. Having abandoned the
States claim place Of birth, are by adop
ton children Of the common Union, for our adopted
home is but the common property OF each and every
State. Here then, let us be loyal to that Unon-the
whole of it, On all and every occasion let it have our
hearty praise Let it be study to arouse anew,
bolder and lQttler spirit OF devotion to these lhstG
tions, under which We have so happily and successful
ly lived. Let us then, be known as Americans. On
this day. let us lose sight OF private chickering's Of
party prejudces, Of the local feelings Of the secti
from which we have emigrated. What matters II
what State you are from? You are an American. You
feel pride in our national stars and stripes. You
acknowledge with gratitude that the same American
Eagle is the emblem of common nationality, alike
soaring over the State of your birth and the Territory
Of our adoption. And now on the Fourth day Of July
in Heavens name, let at this altar in a common
cause, invoke for that Union common blessing
Let pray to sec il prosper has done in the past;
let hope that the blessings of sclfgOvenment and
political liberty shall be extended over the whole Of n-
habited space and If needs be that the world is to he
fegenerated anu 0schthuled by our own national CN
panse, that with THAT eXpanse may be carried, the
natural consequence the healthy and benign influence
OF free institutions. Struggle then as may, have
been unable to dvest myself of the idea that the Dec
aratiOn of that great day, whose return commem-
crate, the ensuing OF Independence, the COnsttu-
tion and the Union are but series Of events all
growing out OF one and the great cause To sum
II up the effect of that days work was the birth of our
natiOnthe necessity for and the adoption Of the fed
eral Constitution OF the United States Of America
and to that Constitution and its Lenignant principles
successfully administered are to be attributed the
grandeur Of our national structure, proud position
among the nations Of the Earth vast influence
upon the world at large in the for empire. Have
we not reason then to glory in past 10 exult in
our present. to anticipate with rare joy the brlidncy
Of our future?
Time is not allotted to make even a hasty review of
the thrilling events of that great drama in history the
American Revolution, or of the glowing progress of
our Union in the period OF eighythree years this day
completed. Feebly as has been discharged the duty
assigned to me, have yet attempted to establish why
this celebration is good and why II is that from early
boyhoOd to old age, American should aud does look
with such gladsOme feelings to each and every APP
proach of independence Day. Attention has been
heretofore made to the prophetic wisdom OF the i'm
mortal Adams, IN selecting George Washington as the
COmmandern-chief OF Americas forces In that strug-
gle for the inaenable rights of man. 1t has been to
me pleasant reflection that there was Divine mind
apparent in the deliberations of our fathers that
greatest Of days. Did inspiration the gift of pr0ph
ecy teach that great champion Of political regcnera-
ton, on the 9th day of July, l776, thus to wrtcl-
i Yesterday the greatest question was decided that
| ever was debated in America, and greater perhaps
never was or will be decided by men. A resolution
was passed. without dissenting colony, that these
United States are and Of right ought to be, free and
independent States. The day is passed. The Fourth
of July, l776, will be memorable epoch in the histo-
ry of America am apt to believe II will be ceebra-
ted by succeeding geneatiOns as the great annyer-
sary festival 1t ought to be commemoratcd as the
day Of delverance by solemn acts of devotion TO Al
mighty God; it ought to be solemnized with pomp,
shows, games, sports, bells, bonlires and Examinations
from end of the continent 10 the other from this
time forward, forever You will think me transported
with enthusiasm, but am not ! am well aware Of
the toll and blood and treasure that II will cost to
maintain this declaration and support and defend
these States, yet through all the gloom can rays
of light and glory can see that the end is worth
more than all the means, and that posterit will t
umph."
Fulfilling to the letter. that prophecy today in my
own native city Of Philadelphia, upon old indepcn.
dence Hail. the bell is tolling in cUmmrnoiation Of
Liberty proclaimed throughout the land" nation
rejoces-fro one end Of vast Union to the other
from the tropics 70 the 49th parallel between two vast
Oceans, great people attestng their gratitude by
all the tokens OF joy and gladness In distant Lands
the wide sea, wherever the American heart Is beat
ing; wherever the stars and stripes are floating in
common with US, are Americans commemorting with
enthusiasm that declaration which cost so mnch toll
and blood and treasure to maintain.
And among the pleasant incidents of this happy oc
cason, none is more glad7ome than extending a cor
dial welcome to our brethren soj0urnng in foreign
with us, upon American soil their tribute To their aud
our national holiday. The adventurous and thrifty
sons Of our nation may leave their native soil in pur-
suit Of advancement but thank Cod the instances
rare indeed. OF Americans being denationalizcd. The
history OF Vaneouvers Island teaches that the Ameri
can residents there, cling with dying tenacity to
their natonalty-to their household gOds-to the
birth day Of their cOuntrys great father Their pres
here today, attes more fully than can language
Of mine their unchanging attachment to our soil,
their abiding confidence and sympathy In our institu
Tons. welcome my friends Il is a pleasure TO see
you here II is rare joy 10 Illustrate in each Of you
the truth Of the language Of Of gifted Poets
"Pride in the gin Of country and Of name
| Speaks n the eye and step.
| He treads his native land.'
Forgive the dgressinn. but let me 20 on rs to the
universal and truly catholic nfatuation Of Americans
! to commemorate the Fourth Of July 'Young Ameri-
ca" flashing with patriotic ardor shows his zeal in
fire works. bohhres and the firing of guns Others Of
u.s. no less hearty in our joy, suspend the ordinary
cations of life, make our best appearance before our
fellows and do all to attest our belief that this
is the day Of all Others Americans shOuld remember
The Government represents the same feeling, and to-
day. by regulation Of her service celebrates her birth.
day. The loud mouthed cannon happily deprived Of
the fell messenger which deals destruction to our enc.
mics, speaks in tones of thunder to remind US that
this is the birth day Of nations, the natal day Of ber
| ty and free institutions
But this outburst Of joy is not the only incident Of
the day we celebate. In many places our churches
arc opened for thanksgiving aud prayer. By many
the Father Of Prayer for the blessings heretofore con.
feued bounteousy, and praying that lie will con.
time long to preserve nation; that His out
stretched will still watch u.s. as in tie DAYS
Of trial and danger; that His infinite merry will be
our shield and protection now in greatness and
strength when in weakness and doubt; that long
long indeed from our Union may be ayerted the dread
appearance Of anarchy, dissension and civil war; that
the fell spirit Of anaeism and scctionalsm may ever
be hushed; that wi c ard conservative counsels may
prevail that betweeR1hcse States principles Of friend
ship for each other may be engenderod and preseryed
that all shall be actuated by common love OF coun
try-a hal regard for the Union, which has borne US
safely to place and power among nations. Abundant.
y may these prayers be answered. That such will be
the result, who dare doubt '1is true occasionally
we hear a murmur Of discomfort. Men, who in the
excitement Of the day and hour, speak hppantly Of
the value Of the Union What shall we cali the nat.
ricdes who dare TO calculate what these States might
be they to secede from the Unioul Tho idea is
prepostcrous, absurd, filed with treason that
it cannot be dwelt upon with patience. II is imbus
be that any number Of our iellowctzens can serious.
ly mediate such thought, desire to witness such
a cOusnmation. There have been times when these
evils fTaught they are with such horrd defarnit