Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-07-19
Mistellaneous.
A D D r E S S
Deiirered at South Vest Har5or, Mt.
Desert, July 4h 1861,
DY ARSo wTswEIL, ESQ.

Fello,c Citizens:
We have assembled to celebrate this
the S5th Anniversary Of our National
Independence under circumstances new,
critical and momcntous. From childhood
! we have all, throughout the length and
breadth of our extended, aud once hap
gpy and prosperous Union, been accns-
toned to hail the annual return of this
most brilliant political anniversary in
the worlds history with JOY, with glad
dess and with thanksgiving. We have all
knelt at the same altar, and with pride
and exultaton have looked upon our glo-
rious flag, with its stars and stripes float
ing in the breeze, as an emblem of our
common couutry-of its prosperity and
its power,
But Fellow Citizens, the scene has
changed, aud for the first time in our his
tory, when apparently at the summit Of
National prosperity, We behold hostile ar
mics gathered to the field aud arrayei for
the deadly conaict--not to rcpe foreign
invader but to imbrue their hands in each
others blood-in the blood of those who
once were brothers \ great crisis i'll the
history of our country is upon us--a re-
bcllion the most cause!c>S, wicked and un-
righteous that the world has ever known,
has been excited against the best Govern
ment ever formed by human wisdom IA
Government under which we as people
have made grea er progress in wealth,
prosperity and power than any nation upon
which the sun has ever shone-a Govern
ment atfording equal protection to Its cit
liens in every section OF the Cnlon-a
Government, npon which every true Amer
lean citizen looked with pride and admi-
ration, and not only by Americans, but it
was regarded BY the friends Of freedom
throughout the world as the star of hope
for down troddea humanity, and the asy-
lum of the oppre.sclcf every cline. But
yesterday, such was our position among the
nations Of the earth-to.lay, clouds and
darkness rest upon the p,esent, andn no hu-
man foresight canpredict the tuture-Om-
nisciencc only can pierce the veil.
w hen we reflect on the noble deeds Of
our heroic ancestors, " who pledged their
lives, their fortunes aud their sacred hon
or" for the independence Of their country,
and when We remember the many bloody
battle fields of the revolution upon which
they laid down their lives TO maintain
it-whcu we recall to mind their patient
sufierings-their priyations and heroic de-
.yotion To the cause OF liberty, and when
we realize that this great temple Of hu-
man liberty, erected by their valor and
wisdom, is now threatened and invaded BY
those whom it has cherished aud protect
ed say, my friends, when We reflect
,,sc ba, and realize all this, the heart bleeds
4 anguish at the dreful eaamltes i'm
ing over us, but at the same time, 1t
~ ed with indignation at the traltorous
a npt, and desire for vengeance on
"a heads of those who attempt It,
.E have not the time, nor have the in
don now to discuss, at any length,
Is ~ Ases which have produced this un-
kas ilkAte rebellion, The institution OF
siOn directly and indirectly, has no
- ~ the prolific parent Of nearly
Nv. q e election of Mr. Lincoln has
-ss.I-n upon only as the pretext ana
The ok,bn to put in execution the long
farrtY y Yep rooted design of certain
~ Aars to bring about dlsrup-
2tss4aQF arious Union. 1t is giving
Gsfth. for sagacity to Southern
IT, knppose that the success OF
on az sibssA party, in the election o.
- s-:acosays the real eause-we must
. x for, rquch deeper and farther.
= o.. ''e'' !. ,hens the V President
np ,oss So ~ 1Sa sa.ia g eqthern eonfederaey
TO put into :. q, place spd M n. ..o.sb ,S., tbc
Iys did atIesra the est o''' ~" '"''' Co.
- The weather IL shapa the disposition,
Ysry warm The thefno naen a,lc the consti-
go above, wednesday. Southern States.
-ess age scAost,uyed he had the dis
q ,iSy o, and every intelligent
E-loe. and South knew as well as
i ,ar. Stci,aens, that be had not the power.
1aasTesolutions passed BY the Chicago
,ntion, when Dir. Lincoln was nomI-
E,r'. - declare in the most emphatic man
{ 'jiellege vt slavery within the States was
4 and could nA be interiered with
- n;ossn general government. or by the peo-
toga,hs, he free States. With regard to
;, er of Congress as to the extension
..--.-'l, | Y in the territories of the United
Ppm .rpoi'i, there has ever been difference of
r.''' pf, and it is subject upon which
swould naturally and honestly diff
e. The democratic and republican par
tbs, ever since the organization of the
latter, have been at issue on this ques-
tion-the democracy eontending that Con-
. gress had no power to establish, protect or
lprohibit slavery in the territories. but
that the people thereof should be left per-
fectly free to regulate their domestic in-
stitutions in their own way, subject only
to the constitution Of the United States -
the republican party on the other hand
contending that the General Government
hot only had the constitutional power to
prohibit slavery in the territories, but
shall 5as.e d. y. not necessary to discuss
- Il A ~