The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-07-12
From the Daily Of Thursday.
, Glance at the Past. Present and Future

I. IS eishtv-tive years to-day since these
,a,ss assumed position among the nations
ne earth rs a free and Independent peo-
Ia. II has been in the main a period OF un-
,xrnpled peace and prosperity, and OF pro-
,ous national growth, not only in the de-
.e,Oomcnt of vast resources, but IN the rapid
-,..argenent Of or boundaries. At the Pc
-.ld Of the Declaration Of Independence there
we're but thirteen colonies, inhabited by only
rec millions of people, skirting the eastern
lore of the Atlantic from what was then
own as Massachusetts Bay to Georgia.
Nv there are thirty-tour independent states
.aaabi,ed by more than thirty millions of
.pic stretching across the entire continent
surpassed by any other in the world IN
IL. climate and natural productions. lhe
: which tioa,ed in triumph over the army
me feeble colonies, struggling for nde-
.ruIeuce, is now honored throughout the
.r,h as the emblem Of liberty regulated by
=. The constitution framed by our faith
r, aas approved itself as the best basis Of
eminent ever devised by man, and has
..u 10 al our people j bulwark Of defense
..J. foreign aggression, as well as q shield
9rotec, individual freedom. 1t is treighted
al: nothing but blessings to those who are
va and obedient to its requirements.
But Notwithstanding the grandeur and the
.,.-u,ty Of the Union established by Wash
..tou and the wise patriots Of the revolu-
..ry period, We are compelled TO witness
:. III, anniversary OF our national indepen-
...ct the existence of a most wicked, wan
IL and unprovoked rebellion in the southern
.,.on Of our country, defying the authority
~ general government. attempting to an
mat. The constitution and to break up and
.-,..5y the Union. 1t is rebellion Of dom
ing. lmPerious aristocracy against de-
=. .racy, III which special privilege and caste
,reking 20 usurp the rights o! the masses,
. guaranteed by the constitution. But it is
..-1ri.!on which must and vii! be crushed.
-.:-rson Davis and his rebel followers are
- on.y fighting against the government Of
,.- nited States, strong and mighty in Itself.
g.. they arc also arraying themselves against
moral sense Of the civilized world The
-H,paprf>. the schools and the pulpits Of
...>reudom, are all So many irresistible for
US operating against their nc.arious and des
..'.c sch,me-tOrccs stronger even than buI-
il, and cannon balls. They are fighting a
stuSt Il united and loyal North, containing a
,..uation Of over twenty millions. and a
,..ast large body OF loyal men in the South.
r. ,hor. they are fighting against HUMANITY
all the dearest rights of mankind. They
=, fighting asains, the Almighty, and they
c..not prevail.
We can even now look beyond the smoke
'r,. The battle of the present and discern
.....-n reunited and happy, living under the
al...Ded and od-bousht constitution of
.a ..thers. and clnging to the Union as the
'..7'-.nchor Of their safety and prosperity,
... moving along i'll harmony to the fuflment
q: III high and exalted destiny which Prov
.a:.-e has marked out for America. Let us
remember to-day the beautiful apostrophe
=: Longteliow to the Union:
Thou too. sail on. o Ship ofState;
81. ou. Union. strong and great;
Humanity with all is fears,
Wiz. all the hopes of future years
i hanging brea,hlcSs on thy fate
w snow what master laid thy keel
Wat worAmen wrought thy ribs Of STEEL
"i.o made each mast. and sail. and rope;
WAT a..y!l> rang. what hammers beat,
In "Aat A forge, and what 2 heat
",g' shaped the anchors Of thy hope
Far rot each sudden spund and shock
- OF the wave and not the rock
Us 1Tt the tapping Of the sail.
And not rcn, made bv the gale
III spite Of rock and telnpe>t's roar
In spite Of false lights on the Shorc-
Sal! TN : nor fearto breast the sea
UUr hearts, our hopes. are all with thee -
CNr hearts, our hopes our prayers, GA tears,
pur faith, triumphant o 'cr our fears,
Are all with thce-arc all with thee"