The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-07-04

To-day, the anniversary of our countrv's indie
pendence, will be celebrated with the noisy pomp
and boisterous festivities which usually character
ize this great national holiday Throughout the
whole land an outbreak of jubilant pride and pa
trlotism will testify anew, to the passionate devo-
ton with which the people continue TO regard the
men and deeds Of l776. The various modes
in which this feeling may be expressed. may not
be always the most appropriate; but the senti-
ment which prompts the universal rejoicings
which this day will witness, is not to be lightly
spoken Of The great achievement which is re-
called to men memories with each recurrence of
this anniversary, is worthy ofperpetua commence
ration, for the world has yet to see the consum-
mation of that work of promise which was begun
eighty-four years ago. II was on the I'd of July,
l776, that the Continental Congress resolved:
That these United Colonies are and of right ought to
be free and independent States, that they absoved
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"
1t was just after this decisive act, that JOHN
ADAMS, who had labored long and earnestly 10
bring about such result, gave vent to his emo
tons, and sent 10 his friends the following noble
words of congratulation
The greatest question" he sad twas decided which
ever was debated in America, and greater PERHAPS
never was nor will be decided among men.
The second day Of july l776, will be the most memora-
BILE epoch in the history of America celebrated by
succeeding generations the great anniversary festival
commemorated as the day Of deverance by solemn acts
Of devotion to God Almighty from end the cont.
the other, from this time forward forevermore
You will think transported with enthusiasm but /
am not. | am well aware of the toll and blood, and
treasure that it will cost to maintain this declaration
and support and defend these States yet through ali the
gloom the rays of light and glory; that the end
is worth all the means; that posterty will triumph in
that days transaction, even though We should it,
which trust in God We shall not"
On the evening of the Fourth of the same month
that immortal declaration was adopted which will
be read this morning in almost every town and
hamlet within the limits of our confederation
Wherever its language offervid patriotism is heard
men will renew their VOWS of loyalty to the Con-
stitution, and as they remember the pers which
their fathers confronted, they will learn to face
with purer and stouter hearts the dangers that
may now environ us. There are also some other
reflections which the return of this day is ant to
suggest to thoughtful minds. We live. it is said
in degenerate age. We have failed to initiate
the virtues of our ancestors; we have bv orr fol-
lies, compromised our own peace and safety; and
we have suffered the national character to become
deprecated IN the eyes of the civilized world.
All these charges will doubtless be duly consid-
cred by many who will take account before this
anniversary is over of the good and evil that it
finds among lis. But whatever may be the num-
her and nature of our faults, we will not dwell
upon them now. We have done so often hereto
fore, and in the discharge of our vocation we shall
soon enough be compelled to recur to them again
Wepreier, at present to descant upon peasaner to-
pics. To-day we are peculiarly reminded of an
era in our history to which we may look back
with proud and unalloyed satisfaction, and we
would not mar the recollections it awakens We
therefore only record afresh sense of the gran
deur and Importance of the act which elevated
thirteen dependent colonies into as many sovereign
States, and mngle our congratulations with those
OF our countrymen who everywhere hail the return
OF our glorious anniversary.