The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-07-17

IL WIS necessary 10 give, for its statements
were true and its arguments unanswera.
bic. i say its date was not our birthday
as nation. 1t was simply the day we
declared ourselves to be such-and SO
doubtful did it seem TO those who made
it, whether they should be able to main
tain IL that they pledged 10 each other,
in its support, their lives, their fortunes,
and their sacred honor. But when seven
long years Of war, of sacrifice of life and
treasure--when that declaration had been
maintained by the suffering at Valley
Forge-by the glories at Saratoga-by
the victory at Trenton-by the surrender
at Yorktown-when England, exhausted
and vanquished, acknowledged that not
force, or money, or military skill, could
prevail against an intelligent people, fight
ing for their freedom and homes, then the
declaration was made good-then we
were in reality sovereign and independent
States. But we were not yet govern
ment.
The revolution upon its close found us
wasted with war, and penury, and groan-
ing under an enormous debt-a debt ow-
ing to our own citizens, officers and sol
diers, and to Holland, France and Spain.
Under the old system of confederation no
practical means could be devised for its
extinguishment. Jealousy, discord and
strife were creeping in where harmony
had existed, when n common danger
threatened. Tho exigencics of the case
demanded that we should have authority
TO mako an equitable adjustment Of the
debt among the several States, and pro-
vide means for the protection Of the coun-
try, in case of attack. This the old Con-
tinental Congress was entirely unable to
accomplish. We were thirteen States,
scattered along the seaboard, without a
harbor in defensible position, liable 10
attack without, and having dissension
and discord within-held together only
by the slight and fimsy thread of the
articles of confederation. In the anar-
chy and gloom pervading The country,
patriots and statesmen saw the necessity
of a federal government, and initiated the
proper means for its establishment,
The detail Of that struggle it is unnec-
essary to recapitulatc. II is enough to
say that it was long and arduous one,
and tasked the energies Of our noblest
and greatest men in each Of the different
States-so jealous were they Of surren-
dering any portion of their State sove-
reigDty. But the struggle closed at last,
and when, OH the 4th day Of March,
1889, Congress met in the city of New
York and organized under the new con-
stitution, sending messenger TO acquaint
George Washington, President Of the
United States, that they were ready to
receive any communication he might have
for them, then did we in reality come in
to existence as nation and govern
ment. Then was consummated the Ia
bors of the revolution. Then began q
realization Of the hopes of rational free
dom and progress which had cheered the
patriot at the council board, the soldier
on the battle field, and amid the priva-
ton of the camp, and the hardy citizen
who had so long and so desperately de-
Tended his roof tree and his hearthstone.
Then began the operation Of that govern
ment that to-day shields us, and has from
4 the commencement led our country for
ward from feeble infancy to giant man
hood, protecting its citizens, enlarging its
borders, developing its resources, and
demonstrating to an incredulous world
the capacity of man for self government
That old constitution, the embodyment
ofvast compromises and concessions, from
thirteen separate States, with its grants
and restrictions of power, with its lines Of
demarcation between State sovereignty
and federal supremacy, with its distribu
ton of authority in the several depart
ments Of government, with its guarantee.
of protection to each individual citizen
was the appropriate and proper close &c
the labors of the revolution-was the last
chaplet in the wreath of glory that the
demigods of the age could weave arount
names consecrated to Immortality by GO
Mus, courage and patriotism. That ole
constitution was their legacy to us. Have
we accepted it with gratitude9 Have W.
improved it with diligence9 Have W.
obeyed its requirements, in letter anC
spirit9 Search your statutes, citizens o
Michigan, and then answer.
You will find there moro than viola
ton of the constitution. You will fine
in the enactments within n violation o
the oaths of those who had sworn L
support it. If we have obeyed it VIII,
do we find hatred instead Of fraternal re
gard between the different sections of ou
country, and why, to-day, is the bayone
instead of the authority Of that constitu
ton called upon to settle difficulties tha
, never should have arisen under it, and a.
of which could be adjusted by its proyis
ions? If there has been no departur
from the policy of our fathers why
treason and rebellion abroad in the land
covering nearly half Of our coniederacy
{ and backed by the wills and arms of mil
ions Of our citizens? All! my country
Il