Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-07-12

calls "PoPuLAR government" All my
fellow citizens every one oi you knows that
IT. was GEStisE MORALITY that was reeded.
a melancholy scene indeed did the old
world present when despotic power invaded
even the holy retreats Of the mystic land. 10
had men, II had conqnerorsj had no virtue
but valOr, and but few moral heroes. Well
might the sigh Of regret arise at tho gloomy
prospect Of a perpetual night upon the ma
tiOns Of the earth, for the myrrnidons of des.
pots were ever watchiul 10 strangc In the
cradle, the new born child o freedom. But
IN that stormy hour, when from that throne
where the conquered tribes Of men looked TO
read their destiny, there came forth the
kingly glance that terrified virtue, aud con-
sccratcd vice and took the blush from crime;
when time honorcd religion arrayed In
stained garments was thrust forward as
an apology for human wickedness; ~ THAT
HOUR, there went abroad IN its own silent
might, from the intense majesty OF the
manger, the genius Of n pure morality be.
ginning its conquest in the hearts Of men;
and while nations in chains clankcd music Tor
the wild dance Of tyranny ih purple robes, &,
that still spirit went forth t. unlock the
dungeons and unbind the fettercd consciences
Of men. Yes the Father Of my country is
right; the sun had forever set upon human
liberty. but for the "truth that makes men
/ lItc! JHht Gcdu Inc uOCutneHt you nave
heard read to-day; aud then answer II it be
not the pure morality Of a great soul, trained
under moral influences, that breathcs in the
strong sentences OF the Declaration OF In
dependence And il is fact that the immor-
tai John Locke, whose name suggests no
wide distinction between morality and gov
ernnent, was first to draft a free constitution
for settlers in the New World 1t is useless
for me to pursue the illustration further;
every mind can see the truth and will GER
tainy derive the conclusion at which / aim
How shall conclude these remarks prop
erly, without word for each class before
met In me as a young man it will of course
be prcsumptnous to attempt to improve this
anniversary for these old men, who. though
their boyhood saw not the revolution, are
at least the connecting link between us and
those whose praises we celebrate. But we
thank you that you are here to mngle in the
joyous festivities of day flowing WI h such
"reminiscences. 1t is meet that we should be
thankful, for your gra heads upon which have
fallen the frOsts that promise the morning OF
the spirit birth, admonish us that we are in
the presence of those who shall soon tell tho
vows we make upon the altar uf our country,
when they join the emancipated martyrs 0
those consccrated fields Young men have
we not glorious history to contemplate !
acts of men are necessary to the narrative
We must then act for some future historians
approval or condemnation; now how shall we
acR 1t is usual upon such OCCASIONS to draw
from out the galaxy Of our national worthless,
character that represents to us the path OF
duty, and the path to true glory.
Often are we referred to the Virginia plan
ter, and household words are not the least
OF the monuments of his worth. We heas OF
him who said. "Sini or swim. live or die. -
We hear of him who left the plough
for the service of his country, with patriot
ism so disinterested as never to settle the
question rs to his presence at Bunker Hill.
Young men, to these you and 1 have been
pointed for encouragement by the same kind
ones that taught us holy words by the fire.
side. But to correct wrong tendency. there
comes to my mind another bright example
of the moral heroism we are to emulate
though not produced on our own soil, but nm
der the soft wing of nobility. is not the less
sacred to us. Though raised with the bias
of courts, he had a soul alive to every gene
Ious sympathy; the pOssrssOr Of a title dea
10y inhcrtance, yet his chief adornments wer,
the humble virtues of the citizen. Though
nominaly a Catholic and actually a discipl,
OF Votalre, he has furnished proof of a fel
divinity in human nature, that can survive
y
in camps and councils, in victory and defeat
at liberty and in prison. need not tell yol
l allude to him whose sacred regard for trutl
upon the battle field scorned the gorv O
triumph when victory would be the pnrchas,
of lie. Read and study his characte
among others and learn of him whose dis
interested kindness endeared him to the
American people, that adversely is the season
for benevolence, sincerity and frankness the
trlleSt wisdom, and the welfare OF mankind
I the noblcst aim of ambition.
And now Ladies', a word to you: we would
not he parasitical but speak the truth when
we say, but for woman these privileges would
not be enjoyed. That the "lovely should be
the care ofthe brave' is not a modern senti.
mrnt only, but ever since ability and energy
were the elements of manhood, woman's
smiles have been p ize, her presence
an incentive to action, and her safety among
the dearest of human aims. Remember that
you stand in the place those stood whose
dearness and love fostered the spirit of Mon
mouth and Yorktown, and who often with
heaving hearts and watery eyes witnessed
the INVADERS progress. How you hold with
silken cords the destinies of men--if You
will encourage with your smiles when good
is done, and if you will restrict your charms
to the good, the brave, the generous and the
true, then what the sterling mothers and
darling daughters of the Revolution have
gained. you may be enabled TO preserve
Every one OF us has work to do in this age
Let us all heed the words of our own immortal
poet;
$50 live, that when thy summons comes to join
| The innumerable caravan that moves
To the pale realms of shade where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls fdeath,
Thou go not like the quarry-save at night,
Scourgcdto his dungeon, but, sustained and soothet
BY an unatering trust, approach thy grave,
! Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant Dreams"
MI ARRIED-