The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-07-17

worship, they laid deep their foundation BY
an appeal to the God of Nations, for the
'rectitude of their purposes"
Thus the mon and Patriots of '76 com
menced the fourdation of separate and
independent Nation, with a Republican form
of Government, the first Of any considerable
magnitude in the history Of the world Did
they succeed Yes echo answers Yes =
But her march was contested from the be
! ginning. no sooner had she stepped forth in
her virgin beauty, than the frown of the Sow.
ereign of the British Islands, King George
the Ill, threatened her snbjugation. The
English army and navy were formidable in.
decd, but these "Puritans' had counted
the cost; they therefore came forth
with an appeal to arms, and thousands OF
the good people of those colonies'' were soon
on their march to rapel the "Foe" from our
shores Then broke upon them that seven
years sanguinary wa-the American Revolu.
ton. Much suffering was now endured. Many
a noble life was sacrificed, and many brave
Son Of Columbia fell in the conflict.
grave qpestlon met our Fathers on the
opening Of the Revolution, viz Who Should
be the leader of Spartan Soldiery of the colo
MES !? This was serious matter. The
forces Of the King were terrible. The Ameri.
can army was without Drill, Arms, Clothing
or provisions for such an undertaking. No
War Department or Treasury to fall back
upon, but supplies were to be furnished by
the patriotism of the people. But few men
would under such circumstances, hazard
their ownresponsbilities The attention Of
the Fathers was directed to the young Sur
peyor from Virginia. The lot fell upon Col.
Washington, who was clothed by the volun.
untary and unanimous consent of his fellow
colonsts, with the power and authority of
Generalin- Chief of the American Army, than
whom no more fit man, then lived, for such
a trust. He was true patriot, having from
the maturity of this virtue acquired the cog
nomen of "The Father ofhis Country" He
was first in war, First in peace, and FIRST in
the hearts ofhis countrymen" Under George
Washington, the God of Nations led our
Fathers to victory.
Then followed cour ell Of seven years in
framing that old Magma Charta," the
American Constitution" and on it our sys-
tenn Of Federal Government. This completed,
our colonies took their stand and independ-
ant position among the Nations Of the earth.
Her subsequent history has beer proud
one. Such as history records for no other
Nation. Within her bosom has lived the
most prosperous, free. and happy people on
the Globe. Before the gegriins eef her indus
trial activities, the forests have been leveled
and the wilderness has been enlivened with
the blessings Of civilization. Her manufac-
tories have supplied all the necessary de-
mands of the arts and sciences, and for home
consumption, with large amount for ex-
ports. The products of her Well cultivated
fields, has fed the hungry of distant nations
Her commerce, (other things being equal. J
is not surpassed by any other power on
earth. Her ships sail on all seas. enter and
trade in all the ports of the civilized world.
Thatgiorious old Flag floats on sill seas,
and is respected wherever unfurled All !
there is power in our nations ensign, con-
sciousof which. orr merchants feel secy,ra,
and osr sailors joyously sing on the shore
and in the ports Of the most barbarous climes,
the "Star Spangled Banner" of the "Land
of the Free and the home Of the Brave"
at home her institutions have been alike
attractive and prosperous. Under the favora-
bic patronage Of the General Government.
industry aud art have been rewarded, thus
encouraged to great proficiency. Internal
Improvements have advanced net work
of Rail Roads have been thrown over all the
land Our rivers throng with steamers, thus
| furnishing facilities that astoaish the world,
for transporting our commerce and travel to
their destination. BY the means of the Tele.
graph, the most disiantpsr Of the country
is in momcntary converse with the other
In her educational system, from her 'com-
mon schools up to her Universities "Dt
Facto" she has excelled. The thorough cd
ucation of her masses bids fair now to be a
powerful bulwark for the nations security
in future May their shadow never be less,
Her moral and religious strength has kept
pace with her material growth, at least in the
"Frec Staies'' Of the Union. Her christian
ministry has advanced in learning and pow
er, and to- day, it is the great moral bulwark
| oe the land. The Press has obtained great
power in the nation, and its moral tone is
wholesome 10 the main, although there are
some sad exceptions TO this.
The opening up fher resources for wealth
and the happiness of free people following
their "inalienable rights" the pursuit OF
happiness, has attracted to our shores mil
lions of foreign born citizens who have help.
ed to swell our population from 100000
to nearly 33,oOo,ooo Before this swelling
tide Of population, nur settlements have
moved westward at the rate Of fifteen miles
annually. until the tide has set in on the
Pacific coast and is coming east, and are now
eliminating on the summit of the Rocky
Mountains, forming one united brotherhood
from Maine to California, form the Lakes te
the Gulf Cheorfuly onward has been on,
march in wealth, greatness and power among
the nations of the earth At home we hav,