Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-07-10
The Fourth of July.

The Fourth of July.
Eighty FIVE wears ago our patriotic fore
fathers declared themselves independent of the
British Crown, and as free and independent States
they had full power 70 levy war. conclude peace
contract alliances, establish commerce, and do
all other acts and things which Independent
States may of right dc" 1t was the Declaration
Of Independents BY the thirteen British Colonies
of North Americas. which gave historic interest
TO, and makes the 4th Of July. l776, the great
American anniversary. A few facts connected
with the adoption of this charter of political free
dom may not be amiss at the present time.
Preparatory to the introduction into the Cont
mental Congress of that important measure, res
olution was adopted by that body recommending
TO all the colonies which had not already estab
lshed governments suited to the exigencies of
affairs. to adopt such would. in the opinion of
the representatives Of the people, best conduce to
the happiness and safety Of their constituents
This was on the 10th of May On the 7th of June,
Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, submitted a
direct proposition that committee be ap
pointed to prepare declaration of indenend-
ence OF this committee, Thomas Jefferson, of
Virginia, was the chairman, and drew up the pa
per. Daniel Webster, in his great eulogy on JEFF
ferson and Adams. in 1926. says: 1.-THE Declare
ton is Mr.. Jeferson's-the production of his
mind, and the high honor of it belongs to him.
clearly and absolutely"
The adoption of the Declaration of Indepen
dence, on the fourth Gay of July, l776, was by
the unanimous vote of the Representatives of all
the thirteen Colonies-Georgia, Virginia, South
Carolina, North Carolina and Maryland voting
together, and as unit for it. To it those Rep
resentatives affixed their signatures where to this
day they remain undying testimony 10 tie
truth Of the principles enunciated in that immor-
tai document. Were they all living now, there
is not word, much less a sentiment in it they
would dsown. As to its support, with a firm
reliance on the protection of Divine Providence,
they mutually pledged TO each other their lives,
their fortunes and their sacred honor; pledge
which, until it was carried out to complete sue
cess, they most religiously redeemed. So were
they now upon the soil that owes to them its
freedom, they would, hey ond question, revive and
recall upon this, the anniversary Of their great
deed the sentiments and feelings which animated
them in achieving it.
Whatever may be our fate" (such is the
language imputed to one of the signers. by their
most eloquent eulogist,) "be assured, be assured
that this Declaration will stand. 1t may cost
treasure, and it may cost blood; but it will stand
and il will richly compensate for both. Through
the thick gloom of the present see the bright
ness of the future, as the sun in heaven. We
shall make this glorious, an immortal day
When we are in our graves, our children will
honor it, They will celebrate it with tbanksgiv-
| ing, with festivities, with bonfres and illumna.
| TONS
But such will not be the commemoration to-day
| Instead of the concord and union which has
heretofore characterized this anniversary. upon
| the sacred soil of one of the original thirteen
States immense hostile armies are arrayed, the
one for the perpetuation of the Union and the
| object of the other, as ayowed, in the Declare
ton Of Independence, the principles of which al
profess to adhere to, is to 'dissolve the political
bands which have coInected them with another
people, and to assume among the powers of the
earth the separate and equal station, TO which the
laws Of nature and of natures God entitle them.
Instead of festivities, bonfires and illuminations
fierce conflict may ensue between those who
heretofore have gloried in a common government
and a common destiny, and thousands may perish
| In an unnatural strife We know not what may
| be the future of the country but we can hope
and pray that the principles enunciated IN the
Declaration Of Independence, the observance Of
which has made US a great and prosperous nation
may be rdigiously adhered to. so that in, the
future. as in the past. the American Government
may be the ark of freedom to the oppressed Of
all nations and the beacon light of liberty to the
whole world. ts - -e IT,,