Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-07-24
For wrongs to seek a stern redress.


To perish or O'ercome the foe."
After the battle of Bunker Hill infiam.
atory and patriotic appeals were made
throughout the length and breadth of the
land. Fathers and sons eft the same
homes to fight the same battle. Ipdepen.
dence was now the theme which inspired
the tongues of Henry, Adams, Otis and
hundreds OF others. The declaration was
made sealed, signed and read from the
pulpits, from the house tops, and at the
head Of the army, and all who heard it
were aroused 10 greater eXertions that
they might realize the consummation of
all their hopes and anticipations. viz: lib.
ery or death-freedon from tie MraLdOm Of
Great Brtt,at-.freedcm Of Speech-FREEDoM
OF THE PRESS, and above all freedom to
make and TO execute their own laws
But these could only be obtained by fight,
ing, manfully fighting disputing every
inch of ground, and every man to throw
himself into the breach, as though he
considered himself as an instrument in
the hands of Providence to assist in the
achievement of glorious independence {;
or as though he considered his life as a
voluntary offering upon the alter Of
American liberty; that whether he might
fall amid the carnage of the hlood-en-
sanguned field, or whether he might live
to see that independence consummated,
he had the cheering consolation that if
1t was his lot to fall, he fell fighting for his
family, his country and his God, that his
children might enjoy the advantages of
constitutional liberty, and with the emo
tons of pride, point 10 the historic page
and say, "behold the blood of that parent
whose blood now circulates in my veins,
was offered as rich libation at Bunker
Hill, at Concord and Monmoth, at Sara
toga or at Yorktown, aud that his life was
offered up on the shrine of American lib
erty, that his children might enjoy the
blessings which we now possess"
| When we take retrospective view of
the Revolutionary struggle, what a scene
presents itself Tor the orator. What an
example for our statesmen Who can
think Of the suferings of our bare.tooted
soldiers at Valley Forge, without drop-
ping a sympathetic tear? Who can re,
cur to the march of Arnold (traitor as he
subsequently proved 10 be) and his little
army to Quebec, without admiring the III.
domitable energy and perseverance of
that little band? Who can poin: TO the
names Of Adams, Hancock, Jefferson,
Henry, Green, Warren, Wayne, Putnam,
Lafayette, and other guiding stars OF the
Revolution, without admiring their pa
triotism, their undaunted bravery, their
ardent zeal, their heroic sacrifices, their
determined hostility to British usurpation,
their God like efforts in the achievements
of q glorious independence
1t mattered not whether, in the coun>
sells of the nation, or upon the battle field
their motto was give us Liberty or give
us DEATH" and who Mr.. President will
bear tho maze of Washington-he who
was first in war, first i'll peace, and who
will ever be first in the hearts OF his couns
trymen :" who can think OF his dislnter-
ested patriotism-his love OF country, his
acknowledged prowess- his military skill
his patient perseverance and lndefatl-
gable eXertions in the cause of our inde>
pendence; or who can enjoy the bIesslE IS
which we now enjoy as the traits OF his
labLrs and the consequences OF his eXalt
ed patriotism, without eXclaiming take
him for all in all lie was man; we shall not
look upon his like again, "his fame is e.
ternity; his residence creation; his tomb the
hearts of his countrymen and his monu,
ment his country; and while liberty has
one single refuge on this globe, the name
of WASHINGTON snail be the watch.
word of all future patriots, and the death
knell to tyrany. The day which which we
now celebrate, was the immediate cause
of our independence, and the liberties
which we now enjoy its consequences. Is
it not right and proper then, and emis
nently becoming patriots, to give to the
names and memories of those who have
given us these blessings, no stinted and
measured praise? They were no ordinary
men, and the deed which they performed
in '76, was as original and startling ~ it
has since proved beneficial, and they an
ticipated that in coming years we would
celebrate their achievements with glory
and reioicings; and certainly our kee ping
of Independence day should be enthusias-
, tic and Joyous for when Washington had
, gained that most important victory at
. Yorktown, and the army was drawn up
= to witness the surrender of the defeated
|, foe. he well knew that it would be i'm
possible for us to refuse praise to those
who had accomplished SO much for US,
and therefore he addressed his iaithfu,
, companions in victory thus, "My brave
: fellaws, let no sensations OF satisfaction for
. the triumpnS you nave galneu, lnuuce
t on to insult your ia len enemy; let no
! shouting, no clamerous huzzahing, inN
crease their modification. 1t IS sufficient
, that we witness their humiliation. Pos
terity will huzzah for us )" aud loud and
, hearty should our rejoicings be when we
: celebrate such glorious deeds. But let it
, not be expected that this alone shows our
D patriotsni or that of and by itself it fur
e nishes any ground for present security, or
e any hope for future national strength.
$ Let us reverence their memories and
! their deeds; but let us beware how we
) receive them for our own inactivity, OF
Q urge them as reasons for our own infalli.
4 biity, or at the worst for the harmless
= ness of our own misdeeds. "My father
5 was soldier" says one but to boast ol
y this is rather your shame than your glory,
a if in the hour of danger you stand alooi