, 1861-07-04
NArrurAL ANNIVERSARY.

Eighty five years ago this day tle dele
gates Ct the thirteen Colonies, in Congress
assembled at Philadelphia, put forth a
Declaration Of Independence, announcing
20 The nations Of the Garth, that the United
Go onies had become free and indepena-
en: people. They Sc: forth the reasons
which impell.d them to seperate from
the mother country, and the principles
which should guide and govern their
future political course They broadly as
serted that al men are born equal
:nd are entitled 10 the enjoyment Of cer-
tain innlienable rights, among which are
Life, liberty, and the pursuit Of happiness.
The parent country denied the truth Of
these dogmas, and the colonies appealed to
a!us 70 sustain them. The first blow was
struck at Lexington on the 18th Of April,
i1..55, nearly fifteen months prior to the
formal Declaration Of Independence, ,during :,
Which period the bloody contest had been
gning On between the colonies and the I'M
iesial Governments contest which was
wased seven years longer before Great
BRIAN would consent that the "united
c,lcnies were, and Of right ought to be, q
!rcc and Independent nation
After the lapse Of eighty-fVe years, the
American people arc again coavnlsed with
civil war 4 parricidal blow has been
struck st the existence Of the Repnb-
Ec- Traitors have arisen in our midst
lrud intent on the destruction Of the
Eat:on. Patriotic men have rallied around
tho old standard Of the Revolution to save
lie precious legacy bequeathed By the
Fathers 10 their posterity. The contest con
yu1ses *he continent. The shock Of var i:
1el: by every power on earth Half q mil
2;en arc in arms, some to madly and impl
ous!y pull down, the beautiful temple 0
L;lertr, and others to defend it from desc
erat;on This tremendous struggle has it
ncarcst counterpart IN tic treason descrlb
I'd ty Milton, when Luc;fer rebelled agaias
tic Government cf the Most High, ant
WAS cast OFT Of Heaven, by the auge
Michael.
/; cost ri, ers Of blood, and consume
he treasure Of generation to assert sue
<tss!u1ly the principles Of the Declaratlo
..rd found nation to carry them ict
rr4tt;ce, ard That nation and those prime
l,,v* cau only be preserved by another sax
riic.: Of lie and property. But they as
worth infinitely more than they will CO
tie peoplc to preserve. The lovers OF lii
cry and American Nationality will gath'
around the ark Of the covenant, and pr
nct II with living rampant, against whie
treason will dash in vain. The loyal me
of America will come out Of this fiery tria
this baptism Of blood, purified Al
Strengthened. cThey will thencefor'
cherish tleir Republic and It's blesst
liberties, more tenderly md devoted
than ever before. This wicked q
sault On the integrity Of the nati
was necessary to make men proper
yalue the inheritance they have been {
loving, This war will brush away t
cob-webs of party. Il will bring true m
irto closer fellowship, by consuming p
tisan anim6sities and eectarian prejudic
twill lift mems minds above sordld self
ncss, and convince them that money E
ting Is not the noblest object In l
1t will place patriotism above pet' q
principle before party, aud our coun
above all earthly things. We will all ch
ish our na!ioAality more dearly We
esumatc cur privileges more highly
will guard our liberties more Jealous
We will as people, become better II
and wome7, more kind and forgiving, m
honest and brotherly, more Of one be
and purpose, elevated Christians and pu
1J,.,,.t,1;.o71