The Portland daily press., 1862-07-03
REPUBLICAN, NOMINATIONS.
Our National Anniversary.

Our National Anniversary.
Tomorrow, July 4th, is the anniversary of
the birth of American Independence day
which the prophetic eye of the elder Adams
foresaw would be celebrated by posterity with
rejoicings such as the kindling of bonfires,
the firing of cannon, the pealing of bells, the
forming of professions and other kindred
demonstrations. Probably he did not foresee
that so soon-almost before the graves of the
Revolutionary heroes had ceased, to be fresh or
the grass to sod them over-a generation of
vipers" would arise who, with vandal hand
would seek to demolish temple of Liberty
constructed at so much cost and with the sac
rifce of so much blood. Heaven in kindness
took the old patriot to his final home, before
his eyes had been dimmed with tears shed over
the appalling wickedness of the present age.
But despite the efforts of traitors and rebels
the day viii be celebrated, and every liberty
loving heart win throb with quicker pulsa-
ton as, tomorrow, he shall call to mind the
deeds of the past and contemplate the duties
of the present
Two years ago the sun arose on the morning
of the "fourth," upon thirty millions ofpeople,
who had more reason than any other people
on earth to thank God to his goodness, and
for his wonderful works for the children of
men. Peace everywhere abounded except in
the hearts Of men then planning to dismember
the heritage of their fathers. In such hearts,
though surrounded by the insignia of peace
and loyalty, there were then kindling up the
latent fire. eff treason, and the war cloud, in
all its blackness, was beginning to gather
around and within them.
One year passed, and the tempest had burst
upon that thirty millions Of people with terri
fic power, and men held their breaths from
very fear and anxiety. What was to be the
result; would treason triumph, or would 10y
atty prevail; would our Constitutional Presi-
deut be driven from his rightful seat, and an
usurper become its occupant; would the free
States become a unit, or would the entering
wedge Of division be successfully driven home
by the power of party spirit and party drill? p
these were problems not fully-at least, not
satisfactorily-solved. Never did American
Constitutional Liberty see darker 4th of July,
since the peace of 's3, than it witnessed in
1851.
Another year has come around in the regu-
lar order and succession of the seasons, and
to-morrow's sun will rise upon another birth
day anniversary of freedom. How changed
from one year ago! Everywhere the loyal
armies have been reaping conquests. The
problem Of united or divided North has
or.dc drlor f<r
of freedom. No President was ever more firm
ly seated in the Executive chair than the pres
ent incumbent; for no one, since Washington,
certainly, has ever more fully shared the conf
dence, the honor, and the respect of all loyal
American citizens. The war cloud has lifted
struggle of the hour, all bloody as it is, is seen
the bow Of promise "The morning light is
breaking" and the people everywhere feel that
the questions Of a conquered and perfectly
subdued rebellion, of restored Union, based
on purer, because purified principles, and of
long, happy and prosperous peace, are ques-
tons no longer involved in doubt-that they
are simply questions of time.
1t is fitting, then, that loyal people should
meet together tomorrow, and in acts Of pat
riotism, consecrate their hearts anew to their
country's cause. Though ncw-made graves,
mothers tears and widows weeds every day
ard everywhere remind us of the terrible cost
of saving our glorious Union from the vandal
hand Of rebellion; though the angel of sorrow
is even now lowering over SO many house
holds; though the reyealings of every new
born are looked forward to with tormenting
anxiety, and though our loved ones-so recent
ly full of life and joy-now fill a soldiers lone
ly grave, or burn with thirst and fever in some
scantily supplied hospital, where friendships
hand may not moisten the lips or battle the
brow, yet thank God our sons have proved
themselves men, worthy their noble sires =
and we can rejoice, and we will rejoice, though
they have perlled all or lost all, remembering
that the sacrifice has been made in SO noble
cause.
We are glad that our city proposes an OBJ
servance of the day worthy of its glorious as
sociations-worthy of the great deeds demand
ed In this great struggle, and worthy, too, of
city which was prompt to respond to the first
call of the Executive. While she has furnish
ed Dow and SHEPLEY to lead her sons to
battle, she has not been sparing in soldiers
worthy of such gallant leaders. Nobly has she
done her duty-nobly will she persevere in
her course.
Let, then, the day be consecrated to freedom,
to rejoicing, to quickening the pulsations of
patriotism, to begetting high and holy resolves
wave from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the
Gulf to the Lakes, over everv foot of Amer-
can soil, "withou stripe erased or a star OBJ
scured!"
GA special train from Washington ar
rived at New York Sunday evening, bringing