Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-07-07
pRAFH N.
DsL,vsnHSy
cn a +. IEs .. RrNAM. $780,.
II the eAlsbra(iDn 10" Davespsrt of the s4fh

~ tie ekIsbraeiOm 10" Davelpsvt Of the san
Anmirss."ry " A'"sries" Independence.
FxLLow CulzxSs l am glad To see this
'h"-i.-'ic gathering on this day-ths political
sabbath OF our country. Ii assures me that in
jour hearts. at least. the hres Of patriotism
are not ali distinguished. and that AMID oil the
contentious 81 parties. . deep love and ressr-
.ncs tor the Union 10 still. preserved r'Joce
to see IL, for Il will be cad dnv for our coun-
try. when we cease To cherish tho se great po'it
ical p,inc.p es our fa'hers laborsi 90 long to
.stabl,-k.
IL IL well for Us, fellow citizens. once in the
wear al leas,, to recall those early struggle o!
our ancestors to 20 over again tie checkered
story OF III. KevoiutiaA; 10 recount to each
other those deeds ot palriylisR and sacrifice
of large endurance and patient suffering which
mark aud illustrate the period and to stkud
reverently in the historic presence Of those
great warri-rs aud statesmen. to whose Wis
dom and patriotism are 60 largely indebted
for oil the 'ocisl, civil and political blessings
which snrround u.s. From such r-views AZ
these We shall all Of Us 60 back again to our
several caliings and employ ments. with cher
gies renewed. and patriotism refreshed; WIKI
deeper love for cur whole country. and q
larger charity for ite sectional differences. In
these patriotic gatherings We canr OF but learn
that there is something better than Demo-
crat or Republican. and that is-an Amer
icau citizen!
1t u. then, cherish this day; let Us
honor it let us celebrate u! 0"d
grant that when our Union shall have
numbers years, countless hosts Of free
men, over Ill this broad continent, from the
Atlantic TO the Pacific. aye! and perchance
from the isles Of the shall meet TO honor
this day, and shall celebrate it With bOnfires
and iilaninationr, with the roar Of cannon and
shouts Of rejoicing! As long ~ We. and our
post rity, turn back with loving and adu.irinx
eyes 10 those old patriots WHO lived and DIED
" gloriously fer us: and Is long cherish
those great political principles hey lsbored
aud fought to establish our country 10 safe
One Of the frat evidences Of decadence IN .
nation, is when che ceases to honor her heroes,
aud to cherish the heroic in her history. The
ideals Of a nation determine its character, and
limit It's growth and when these are pure and
lofty, perpetuity aud prosperity are sure to
follow. But. fellow citzens. let us once learn
to cast aside these great ideals Of our nation
let us learn to disregard the great principles OF
our Revolution, or cease to revere the men
who established them; let political dema-
gogues be permitted with unsandelsd feet, to
invade our political sanctuary. ard with ruth
less hands be permitted to tear down. from
their pedestals, those great examples of excel
ience-the Patriot Heroes Of the Revolution
and our days are numbered 1t is a subject
therefore, for rejoicing. fellow citizens that in
these dave Of sectional and partisan strife, We
can al forget our differences and unite to-
xether in the proper observance and celebrs.
ton Of this great day. We may differ about
political platforms, aud political leaders, but
thank God. about the principles of the Declar-
alton Of Independence, and the great men who
framed it. We cannot disagree We may diff
tsr about this or that candidate, but We all
bow, alike, to the surprising merit, the exalted
patriotism, and the great fame OF the Father
of our Country, aud his noble compeers About
these may We never disagree, aud in this may
we find bond Of union through all the agss.
do not intend to day to go into the details
Of cur Revolution. You are all familiar with
it. II 10 strange stery. History reveals
nothing like it, For patience. for fortitude for
sacrifice; for wisdom, and foresight; for brave
endurance, heroic courage, ard splendid
achievements, you might search the annals o.
every country ard every age, and find no par.
allel to it. From the beginning TO the end Of
that remarkable struggle, II ose old patriots
sseme1 inspired with . strong faith. 10 power.
ty and suffering, amid reverses and m,sfor.
tunes, they we're still confident and deter
mined, and moved s,ealily onward, until their
great end was accomplished. Few in numbers
scattered over an immense territory. surround
cd bv bowling Willis. through which prowlei
hostile tribes Of Indians; without money,
without arms, with no facilities Of communjca.
ito with each other. the Colonists, inspired by
a common feeling and common faith, band ed
| themselves together against great, wealthy
and powerful nation, whose navy rode every
| sea. and on whose dominions the sun never
went down. They engaged in long, bloc w.
and pro'racted war; andit was soon apparent
to the worlt that though these men might be
exter,ninatsi. they could not be conquered.
The spirit Of resistance pervaded all @ asses.
men and women. old and young, for our Revolu
ton had its heroines IS we'll 90 heroes All hon.
or to the mothers and daughters Of the Reyolu.
ton. who left their homes and oil they loved
and with words Of cheer, and words of faith.
followed with their gentle ministrations that
little army. through weary days, and tempest
uous nights; through bowling wilds. over
dangerous nor asses, over WINERY snows. Thew
deserve. and have received bright and con.
spicuous place in the history Of our war Of
Independence. for they sanctifsd it with their
prayers, their tears, and their blood!
The men of the Revolution were sincere.
earnest men. They fought for right and prin.
ciple; they fought for freedom. Thew claimed
the right OF selfgovernment They denied
that any foreign government, IN which thew
were not represented, could have any riphtful
authority over them. They were not discussed
to yield up their freedom, without struggle
1t 's well known that Great Britain had re.
peaied most Of her obnoxious statutes. Int
that she had retained, a. an assertion Of her
authority, an imp0st or tax on one article in
extensive use this the coionets resisted. Il
was considered BY English statesmen. that If
this point was given UP. they would loose all
claim l." the colo les; and hence they deter
mined to adhere to it. 1t was considered nv
the patriots Of tie Revolution. that if they
yielded 10 thisthey would be forever epslayed.
and therefore they determined upon resistance.
Here the var began. Our fathers felt that
they had the right on their side. and thew
fought. and cOLQu.re]. 1t was seemingly An
unequal conflict, but the colonists we're fipht.
irg for freedom, and this drew to them the
sy"psthies of the people of every land. and
the material AMI moral aid thus received great
" assieted and encouraged them. Even Ia the
ranks Of the enemy. they were not wanting
brave hearts and bold voices 10 cheer ana en-.
courage the colonists, in their struggles for
liberty; and out Of the very councils Of the
enemy came words of fire, sounding across
s1s At'sn!'c the peans OF lib-rty. Such reo-
pie. hghting In such . cau.e. and With such
symPa'hles gathering around them. could not
out succeed. IL seems TO be ordaiusd that no
people who truly love freedom. ana are wor.
| thy Of 1t. can be vsnquiehed.
1t 10 no wonder, fellow citizens. TINT mi.
great struggle attracted the attention. ~ ~.
world started the nations into life. Thu