, 1862-06-14
The Fourth of July.

5 Again in the progress of time the American
people are brought to the eve of their great ma
tional anniversary-the day they have been won
to celebrate as one which developed the existence
of a nation independent and untrammeled BaseC
upon the sublime doctrine that man is capable o
selfgovernment, that day gave birth to new prin
ciples and new institutions. The fathers of tht
country placing full reliance in the soundness o
this proposition, resolved upon the experiment
and committed to after generations the fearful
task of testing the mmutabiity of the superstguc
ture upon which the temple of American liberty
was reared. How nobly the brave men of the
revolution struggled foT the prevalence of this
sentiment, and how well the sacred heritage re
ceved from their hands has been nourished ant
treasured, are matters laid up in history
We like to see this ever-memorable day cele
brated, and most ardently hope that even so long
as the sun continues TO shed its light upon om
land, vast millions of peaceful and contented
American citizens may gather at its annual recur-
renee and with thankful hearts bestow their ben
edictions upon the altar of their country. But
we are not fond of gunpowder celebrations
While we will yield the palm to no man in love
of country or in devotion to its hallowed institu-
tons, we can SEE no appropriateness in these
times of national disaster and anxious solicitude
in jubilant revelries over gunpowder and cannon.
The present is not time for bombastc display
and over-joyful hilarity Our brothers are still
involved in a sanguine struggle for the mainten-
ance of our beloved institutions and although
we have the fullest faith in the ultimate triumph
of the right in the supremacy of the wisest gov
eminent ever committed to human trust, it is
maintained only through the most desperate con-
ficts of blood and carnage. While they are thus
involved, they should have the sympathy at least
of those who are not called upon to make equal
sacrifices. The day should be celebrated quietly
and unostentatiously. No violent ebulHtions Of
feeling should characterize its proceedings. Hence
we think that all needless displays, which would
be well enough in times of national prosperity and
advancement are not in good taste in the present
condition Of affairs. A quiet celebration with an
appropriate Grafton, music and dinner, is far pref
cradle 10 one of pompous show, and involves no
useless expenditure of means. We understand
ii is proposed to expend some six or eight hun
dred dollars for gunpoWder and fireworks, and
citizens will probably be called upon to contribute
for this purpose. Moderation is commendable in
all things, and it seems to US if the people are
inclined to make donations, there are far more
important objects requiring public contribution
than the one proposed. Last year it was estma-
ted that six millions of dollars was expended in
the United STATES for the single item of gunpow-
der, which we regard as so much money thrown
away, at a time too when there were thousands O
human beings in our own country without EN-
ployment and suffering for want of food II
view Of the fact that better celebration may b.