The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1862-07-16
O r A T 10 N.
BY ]. d. PERHAM.
Delivered at MN Point, Michigan
July 4, 1862:

MhN-i alh naPPy W uee1 you heIe, Oh
an occasion so pleasant in its many asso-
and connected with so many in
cidents and important results in the histo-
ry of our country. To me it is day
hallowed with many sacred recollections,
and one that should be looked upon with
pride, and almost holy regard, by every
citizen whose heart beats truly in unison
with equality, justice and the rights of
1t was custom Of our fathers, and
has been almost religiously observed by
the American people, everywhere, over
the whole globe, TO set this day apart as
a day 10 honor, and to look upon the re-
suits connected with it rs bearing more
directly upon the happiness and prosperity
of of this people than any other known
and recognized in the history of our coun-
try. For eighty-six years this custom
has prevailed throughout the land, and for
eighty-six years, on its annual return, the
predictions Of John Adams, the eloquent
defender and sustainer of the Declaration
that has just been read in your presence,
has been verifed-when he said, in the
halls of the Continental Congress, at Phil
adelphia, when speaking of its adoption
by that body, " In its annual return it will
be greeted with festivity, the firing of
cannon, the shouts of the people and the
gratitude of the country" How well
that prophecy has been fulfilledl John
Adams then stood forth rs the represent
ative of feeble Colony, struggling in
the grasp Of the most warlike and power
ful nation on the face of the globe-he
stood forth as the representative of prin-
ciple, the principle of democratic gov
ernment-ho was the representative of
the views of nearly 100000 feeble colo
nists, without wealth and means, when
they boldly asserted in his name that rath-
er than live without these safeguards they
would enter the arena of mortal combat,
with q nation on whose dominions the sun
never set, and that had met the strongest
kingdoms and empires only to subdac and
conquer.
Eighty-six years have since elapsed,
and the faint glimmerings of light. from
Wonder orb of heaven was welcomed to-
day throughout the land, in nearly every
village and city, from where the great At
lantic thunders to where the broad and
peaceful Pacific slumbers, with the ringing
of bells, the laundering of artillery, the
shouts of the multitude and the gratitude
of the people, and on nearly every ocean,
lake, bay, sea and river, where commerce
spreads her ensigns, the stars and stripes
have been unlurled and proudly floated
forth as the insignia of nations hope,
and in honor of day that l trust will
ever be yearly welcomed with gratitude
and reverence, by all who are truly the
friends of American laws and institutions.
We, my friends, have seen fit to come
together, in the simple custom that we
have chosen, here in this leafy grove, with
no covering but the green veil overhead,
believing that it is right, and that is our
duty to celebrate, in some form, day
connected with such grand and mighty
events in the history Of The world-and
that the time, expense and trouble that
such simple endeavor may cost is well
repaid in our study, and again in refresh
ing our memories once moro of the hero
ic yalor of the noble fortitude, of that
magnanimous sacrifice, and Of that brave
and spirited defense of cause to which we
owe our independence, I trust forever and
forever.
And now l trust you will bear with
me patiently while / make the simple en-
deavor, in the brief time that | shall oc-
cupy your attention, of calling your minds
to the obligations resting upon us, and
why l consider it duty to SET this day
apart as day to celebrate and honor, and
the good results flowing from it. And,
occupying the position that I do to-day,
I shall attempt to throw away all partisan
feelings, recognizing no party claims that
belong to an American citizen. III have
ever nurtured party prejudices and party
fealties, trust that they forever are done
away. I would present myself before you
not as the representative of any party
views, but as an American, feelingly alive
TO that country's interests, where my eyes
first opened upon the light, where my boy.
hood has been passed, and in whose sol
l hope to repose my ashes. l would come
before you proud of my birthright, proud
of my country, of her laws and of her in
stitutions, of the vastness Of her terrific
ry, of the richness of her soil aud the
boundless products that the hand of Ia
Dor has been enabled to produce-proud
Of her prosperity, and the rapidity with
which she has sprung from a feeble colo
nv, on the eastern shores of our continent
and against giant difficulties pressed on
and on, leveling forests, bringing the broad
prairie under cultivation, building cities
and towns, and pressing on thrco thou
sand miles To the shore Of the Pacific, t