The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-07-10
GRAFTON.
BY HON. JAMES v. CAMPBELL.

BY HON. JAMES V. CAMPBELL.
Delirered at Lansing, July 4M, 1861.
| Eighty.fve years ago this day, the Fathers of
this Republic determined to build up, and leave
TO their children through all time, free and
independent government Feeling i'll their hearts
the greatness Of their undertaking, but trust
| ing in God to aid them in what they deemed a
sacred duty, they entered upon their work with
| no misgivngs, assured that the right would
prevail. They were scattered few going forth
to NEE. ancient and solid kingdoni-a poor
community striving against rich-feebc and
obscure colonies against realm whose name
was mighty in all lands. But they knew that
the population, and wealth, and glory Of Eng
| land, came only from the free laws, which secur.
| ed TO her Inhabitants safety in person and pos
sessions, from any oppressive encroachmeut.
They knew that the step they were taking was
only to protect that, which TIE parent country was
bound 10y its own constitution to uphold; aud
that they were performing a necessary task, i'm
posed on them BIZ the falhlessness of their ru-
lers, Of providing new means for maintaining
their old liberties. And, knowing that they
claimed 10 privilege which free men ought not
To enjoy, and complained Of no grievance to
which free men ought to submit, they pledged
their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor
| to cary out their just design.
To other eyes their prospects appeared gloomy
and hopeless But when they sOlemnly deter
mined to take up the great burden, and to as
sert the rights of Nation. their hearts WEI e
filled with solemn joy. Looking steadfastly
| through the dark present into serene future,
they dwelt with eloquen: tongues on the glory
of their children, and of their children's child
rem, "a they should through all generations,
| keep up the remembrance of that day. Their
quickened ears heard afar Oft the sound OF ariil
lery, booming in peaceful and not in deadly
thunders, and their anOinted eyes beheld the
holiday crowds Of young men and maidens, old
men and children, assembling in every town and
hamlet, to rejoice over their gOodly heritage.
Aud when the bell that called them to their daily
assembly and whose founder, in spirit of un.
conscious prophecy, had embossed upon it the
grand summons Of the year of jubilee-rang out
to announce their noble pledge, and to ''pro-
claim liberty throughout all tie landto all the in
habitants thereof,"* the hearts Of the aroused
people responded in harmony, and the Nation
was already born. The glory Of the future was
made present and real.
Each returning year has seen the fulflment OF
those prophecies. The little one has become a
thousand, and the small one strong nation.
/
blessed with provision Of all its greatness.
But now, for the first time there is a cloud cast
over our day OF rejoicing. Rebellious hands
and revng tongues are raised against the beau
tiful house which our Fathers builded. And,
for this cause, our meeting to-day has a far
more solemn meaning than has attended our
usual festivities. We are called. as the founders
of this Republic were, to consider more closely
the value OF our country. They, in their weak
ness, and in the midst Of sorrow and suffering
felt great joy in the faith of happy future
And while our rejoicing is shadOwed forth for a
moment by heavy trial, We have proved what
they only hoped, and can look forward with sure
confidence, as they did, to the continued pros.
perity Of this Nation. And never, since tia,
first day of decision, has the gathering of the
people to celebrate its yearly return been sc
deeply and cheerfully significant. For while We
bless their memories for the noble work they
wrought, We feel that We may now rise little
nearer to their proud eninence, when We toe
can pledge our lives, our fortunes, aud our sacred
honor, to maintain the cause they took in hand
So complete has been our success, and so won
derful our prosperity, that We have found it hare
to realize their cost. As the veterans of our ole
wars become few and scattered, there were no
many among US who had ever felt the realitie:
of national distress and trial Proud, indeed
of our country. We could not comprehend its full
value ard Importance, until We had some more i'm
mediate occasion to te st them and some means Il
sound our own hearts, and find what Was lurkin:
in their depths. But, when threats of Treason
gave place to open assaults, and the existence O
our Naticn was made an issue to be tried b,
force, the strong wave o! patriotism swep
through every breast, and left 1t refreshed an,
cleansed. The world has never seen a NOR
sublime uprising of the people. The work O
the patriots of the Revolution is receiving it
final and decisive proof. The seed they eowe'
is bearing its fair and abundant fruit. Thei
spirit walks among Us, and the voice Of party
hushed in its solemn presence. The men O
America of today will uphold the glory of thei
Fathers, and dare what they dared, and il nee,
be, bear what they bore. The women o. Amer
ca of to day will do no shame TO the self-denyin
matrons Of those times of trial. And the hores
pride We have all felt, in the wealth and power
of America, will be weak and beggarly. compar
; ed with that nobler exultation We can now enjoy
in the pure spirit of patriotism which animate
every heart, aud which gives us a stronger an
. more honorable assurance OF national glory, tina
boundless wealth, and the sway of continent
The lessons Of the last few weeks would b
! cheaply learned at any cost. And, therefore
We may well rejoice to-day in our inheritance
But We are, in times like these. earnestly az
monished to consider the real foundations ,
our strength. Nor is there any reason to avoi
such scrutiny. The more carefully We stud
the principles of our government the more a
IDENTIFY must we admire the skill and fOrethougl
/, of those who formed it. A brief review of i
character will not be ont of place on this occ
i sion.
When it became evident that the colonists
Great Britain would not be allowed to enjo
: the privileges which belonged to them as the
birthright, the first idea that occurred to an
practical mind was the need of united actio
to secure those privileges aud to preserve the
when secured. All of the contiguous coloni
OF British origin joined as one in a commC
cause. and as one people. No one ever imagi
ed that any separate colony could maintain
e self alone. The revolutionary Congress, befo
the articles of confederation were ratified. W
body Of underlined powers; and whatever
ordained for the common welfare and defen
!. was Obeyed. While each colony could after
s. very we'll to its purely local affairs. vet. in
in external matters it was felt there must he 81
q gle power, to prevent discord to provide
:" the common protection, and to present a n
= pectable claim to recognition among natio,
Small States are only tempting morsels to al
i Dltlous neighbors, and are very apt TO ma
themselves Ready prey to any rapacity.
foolish pride and petty dissensions. 1t W
: supposed that Nation ght be formed. whel
J, in the various States composing it might I've
', lowed TO exercise every class of powers. n
na relating to the general interest and not ends
| vprinp mufylal harmony LEAVING tho nat;o, i,