, 1859-08-05


re incorporated into what is known Of Fourth Of
July oratory can travel without unintentonally ap-
propriating sentiments which have heretofore been
used upon similar occasions. 1t does not reed Ian.
guage Of mine to remind you of your duty to the day
we celebte 1t is hardly possible to add single in
centiye to the volumes Uf advice Of admOnitiOn OF
patriotic appeal which have heretofore gone into the
deep recesses OF the Amcrcon heart to stimulate and
renew growing devotion to the policy of that act by
our immortal Fathers the glory Of the achievements
by the instruments, who in the guardianship OF the
Great Omnip Otent, made the DeelaIa alton fact in
history, and covered with ihlperishable glory the
Fourth Of July, l77G. Words will not add to your
patriotic pride Of living in the land which gave birth
10 Washington, that produced Jefferson, whose pcO-
pie had the moral strength to give vitality to the
wholesome brcathngs Of his mighty soul, which con
ceyed and promulgated the doctrine Of the equal
rights of all 10 the bOuntcOus gifts Of Heaven Need
others Of those peerless sages he referred to Frank
i lin the immortal Patriot Philosopher elevated with
the divine thought of apprOpnatng the attributes OF
Joye himself TO aid our struggling race, snatchlng
from High Heaven the fUrked lightning, which before
had been dreaded the fe messenger of destruction
and death, now disarmed Of its potency for evil.
Proud Of the happy genius Of the sage orig
nator OF such an idea may we not still further in
dulge pride in claiming kindred and associates,
nation who, worthy OF such ancestors, have devel
l oped his theory and converted what was before n
dreaded element into akIiseiu agent to benefit our
race Let with increasing gratitude bless the God
of Heaven, from whence the lgtnings and the thun-
der come for the conversion OF subtle agent as in
comprehensive as Intnty itself, into blessed medi-
um OF tying together into intimate communion breth-
Of distant localities Of the same nation, by annihi
lnting time and distance and now with even wider
scope with more heavenly charity looking To unver
sal brotherhood, even travelling the wide ocean,
Which, separating nations brings together into feel
ngs Of peace and harmony, peoples, who heretofore
having adverse interests, rivals, not to say
mics. In word, going far towards the fulGlment Of
the Divine errand of our SaviOur-seeking TO unite
into one brotherhood all the nations of the Garth
The mythoOgica symbol Of the ancents for the anger
and fruwns of the gods now rendered the happy har
bingcr Of peace ON earth and good will to all men,
| We might dwell with enthusiastic admiration this
happy idea, eloquent in its childish simplicity-a
mighty mind, great statesman signer Of the Dec
aration OF Independence, flying q little kite on a
warm summer day, taps the clouds and draws thence
its over charge Of vitality 10 destroy. All before had
thought this dread lightning was certain death when
coming into contact with matter, yet he who boldly
thought Of Independence and resistance to despotism
willingly invited the fluid and dsarmed 1t OF its dan
ger. Had that honorable Congress other peculiari
ty than containing such master mind, yet would
deserve our highest cnconum but others in that no
bic band deserve our tribute of patriotic remembrance
on this anniversary. The "elder Adams" he who,
with more than human foresight, fixed upon the man
for the crisis and by his potential influence upon the
soul of that memorable Congress directed them to
the choice of leader with unanimity second only
t1 that which ADOPTED the Declaration. This unanim
ty Of sentiment marking the obligations of that body
is frauglt with an intensity OF interest. 1t is the
mightg argument in favor Of Union. Pause and en-
quire Of the condition Of the Old Thirteen Colonies
when they entered the contest for national eXistece
Were they strong and powerful, equal in the means
of physical Resistance to their adversariesl Were
they supplied With arms, ammunition and the snews
Of war? Had they men and means to measure swords
with the most powerful nation of the eaTthl A pain
ful negative is the response 10 all these Inquiries
Even with solemn awe and fearful trembling we
contemplate the acts Of Fathers in going into that
struggle. Bat the die had been cast and actuated by
a firm resolve, conscious Of the right of the sacred
cause, they cut tile knot which bound them as del
dent colonies, and assumed among the powers Of the
earth the sepUate and equal station 10 which the
laws Of nature and Of natures God entitled them"
That Declaration has been read to us to-day. What
document Mighty and soulnspiTing are its words.
earken TO the grievances there set forth in the sim
picity and elDquence oftruth. Witness the magnanm
ity displayed the patriotic forbearance until fUrbear
ance ceased to he virtue. Produce then in the an
mails of the world, in the language of Inspiration IT,
self, language more replete with holy thought. SO
worthy OF emanatiOn from the great Omniicitnt him.
self. To your careful attention Is commended their
own soulstirrng summing up:
"ln every stage Of these Oppressons we have pcti-
toned for redress in the most humble terms. Our
peated petitions have been answered only by repeated
injury prince, whoSe character Is thus marked by
every act which may define tyrant is unfit to be the
ruler OF free people.
"NOr have We been wanting In attentions 10 our
British brethren. We have warned them, from time
to time, Of attempts by their Legislature to extend
unwarrantable jurisdiction over We have remind
ed them of the circumstances Of our emigration and
settlement here. We have appealed TO their native
Justice and magnanimty, and we have cOnjuIed them
by the ties Of common kindred TO disavow these
usurpatOns which would inevitably interrupt our CON
nectiOns and correspondence. They, too, have been
deaf to the voice OF Justice and OF consangunty.-
We must therefore, acquesce In the necessity which
demands our separation, and hold them, as we hold
the rest Of mankind enemies in war; in peace friends
I'VE, therefore, the representatives OF the United
States OF America, In general congress assembled ap
pealing 10 the Supreme Judge Of the world for the
reCtitude OF intentions, do in the name and by
the authority Of the good people Of these colonies,
sOlemnly publish and declare that these united colo
/ n pf iOh Ofu In ha tArp
DENT STATES that they absolyed from all allegiance
to the British crown and that all political connection
between them and the state Of Great Britain is and
ought TO be- totally dissolved and that as free and in
dependent states, they have full power to levy war
conclude peace, contract alliances, establish com
merce, and TO do all other acts and things which indie
pendent states may Of right do. And for the support
Of this declaration with firm reliance the protec
tion Of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to
each other our lives, our fortunes, and sacred hon
orr
Upon this instrument alone, volumes might be writ
ten. In It is couehed the whole problem Of selEgov
eminent. Here is taught the truthful lesson, that
resistance to tyrants is obedience to God.r Here is
claimed all that is essential to man in his relations
with his fellows and here, too will be found the truth
ful acknowledgment that man in assuming the rela.
Ons of governing must place his reliance upon the
all-pOwerfu protection Of Divine Providence. With
such document read at the head Of the American
lines, under such Leader, with reliance on the God
Of Justice and right, find the solution Of doubt
and wonder no longer that foreiathcrs trnmphed.
It is not strange that their admiring descendants
should feel patriotic pride in their success and that
now year after year, they should meet on this HI oily
day TO thank Heaven for the sublmty OF these truths
and that they are now reapng the rewards for which
those patriotic ancestors suffered so much to secure
4 love these celebrations. They arc exceedingly
appropriate. On this day may lay aside oil those
differences of party which divide u.s. and assert oul
common claim ~ the glory OF the event which before
and beyond all Others cOners upon the American his
identity and forces him, ntuitivey to place his hand
upon his bosom and eXclaim with fervor Il am an
American" Differ we may and must, upon men, up
on Of policy, but this feeling Of nationa-
ty and brthright we cannot differ Here is the com.
mon band that enchains us. Here is the great fact
which led to our glorious Union. By the same men
who adopted the Declaration and achieved our indie
pendence was formed our national consttuton-con.
sitent with the doctrines underlying the Declaration
-sanctfed and secured by the blood of the Revolh-
tion-n that sacred fundamental code are reassertcd
the undeniabe gifts of Heaven to man. Of life and Hb
Crty; the Jealousy OF the right Of the people to
form laws and institute governments is maintained:
the claim for sovereignty and the individuality
Of man affirmed. Our forefathers were so anxious to
bear this testimony that they placed il ont Of the pos
al. e.