Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1860-07-04

sented in that meeting, and we would suggest a
meeting for that purpose in Port Tobacco, at as
early day as practicable-say on Tuesday next
the 10th inst.
RAJ Eghty-four years ago, at old Indepen-
dcnce Hall, in the City of Philadelphia, band
Of Patriots were assembled, celebrating upon
surrounding events and counciing in reference
to the future. Hemmed in on all sides by British
ternal'foe 1.-THE Tories,) the few patriots of the
Colonies were indeed living amidst trying times.
Blood, American blood, had flowed at Bunker
Hill and Lexington, and cried out from the earth
even to the gates of Heaven, for vengeance
Few in numbers were those patriots, but stout
of heart; and when the blood of their friends
and brothers had flowed upon the plains of
Lexington and stained the brow of Bunker's
Hill, their souls were up for the strife, and the
cry, "Give me liberty or give me DEATH" was
uttered from more than one patriot lip. On
the 4th day of July, just eghty-four years ago.,
this noble band at Independence Hall, signed
with their hands, sealed with their honors and
published to the world that great. instrument
which declared us free and independent ma
ton. The old bell on the Hall chimed freedom
and the sound was echoed and re-echoed from
hill top to hill top through the length and
breadth of the Colonies. Patriot souls expand
ed at the thought; patriot hearts beat time to
the march of freedom; patriot nerves were
strung for the strife, and patriot muscle pre-
pared for the struggle. Then indeed did patriot
and Tory alike meet in bloody strife. An ex-
no small opponents to the handful of patriots
under Washington and his Generals; but God
was on the side of the right, and the Colonies
cause was just. Trenton, Princeton, Brandy
wine, Saratoga, Cowpens, Eutaw Springs and
Yorktown witnessed e-strife and put an addi-
tional seal to the Magma Caarta of American
independence, and finally confirmed and estab-
lished our freedom Then burst upon the world
the great, the mighty, the living Republic-the
United States Of America for better security a
compact was entered into, Constitution formed,
and the whole stamped, Esto Pe7petua:
80 I iJtifscore years.
Let US take stand point from which we can
look out upon the wide, extended country, form
ed from and upon that little nucleus thir-
teen Colonies. What do we behold? Almost
an Ocean-bound Republic. But how stands the
spirit Of TO? Alas that we should say it,
wonderfully, woefully have the sons, of those
hustrious sires degenerated. Discord, for har-
mony, strife for quiet, almost war for peace
The whole nation is pervaded by sectional
spirit, and bitter indeed are the feelings of one
against the other. Blind, infatuated self has
risen superior to common interest, common
cause, and, shall we say it, common sense.
The common cause, the common interest in
which our fathers united, for which they fought
and bled, has been lost sight of, and sectional
discord taken its place. How much this is to
be deprecated! How much has that patriotism
of the eighteenth century faded in the nineteenth
We boast of this as the century of light, of adj
vancement and progress; but, alas! our light,
when reflected upon our country, has but the
power to point out faults, and our progress
seems towards ruin. Why is this ? Is it that
the times have SO changed that the teachings of
old-"United we stand, divided we fall'-zare
no longer adapted to us Can it be that our
people no longer fear dissensions as disastrous
to the public welfare? Long has the decree
gone forth, CA house divided against itself can
not stand" Experience teaches us, the pages
of history. proves beyond cavil the truth of that
decree the history of continental Europe is filled
to overlooking with examples common sense
-proclaims it. Why then cannot we, as nation,
stand still for moment and consider calmly
the evils which beset us? 1t is our duty to our
selves and our country to do So
On this glad anniversary of American indie
pendence, on this day, sacred to every American
freeman, let us lay our hands upon our hearts
and each ask ourselves, individually, have done
my duty to my country? Have I fulfilled the
high trust imposed upon me as an American
freeman? Have done all in my power to
preserve and perpetuate the sacred compact
handed down by my ancestors as high trust
to their offspring? Have I, in fine, kept the
faith, fought the good fght2 And then let our
past deeds, CIVIL political and religious, answer
the momentous question. All who can stand
the test Few indeed, if any. Then let us re-
solve to reverse steps, to go back and inquire
d for the old paths, and having found them, walk
diligently therein. Let us direct our minds to-
wards the perpetuation of our common liberties
AL turn our hearts, in thankfulness, prayer
and supplication, towards Him who rides upor
the. waves and directs the whirlwind Let u.
beseach Him to guide us in the way we shoule
go. Then rest assured all will be well for III
and the country.
Shore of Maryland is in no way abated. Thu
Somerset Union of Tuesday says that SO far a