, 1862-07-07
Tic following is the oH.tion Is d4!iyerad:
THE GRAFTON

IEe following is the oc.tion Is delivered:
THE GRAFTON.
FELLOW C1TIzESs:-This is the e;rhtr-
sixth anniversary Of that III nenr.hla diy an
which it was prl claimed by the Representa-
riyes Of the United States, in Congress Assem-
bled, F." that these United Co.onies arr, sud of
rlght Gsught to be, free and Independent
The prediction made by John Adam5 tllat
the Gay would be celebrated By succeeding
gcnt rations as our great anniversary festival,
~ pomp, guns, bells, bondres and il1umins-
uoDs, from one egd Of the Continent to the
other, has been literally fulfilled. From the
ciose OF The Revolutionary struggle it has
been set apart as day of national festi7it7
and rejo5cirg, cn which, BY common consent,
pollcai differences ald party controversies
are hpshsd, it rot forgotten, ard Americans
OF all shades OF political sentiments az. acrns-
tomt d TO unite IN congratulations upon t.1n
ie9e TO enjoy, and in commemorative thr
patfiotlsm and Eerolsm OF their fathers who
ta1!1ed around the standard OF freedom In ia
cay Of imminent peril.
we have been taught to believe that these
national festivities rest npon a solid f3uo;}a-
tion. the sentiment that underlies them i,
OF lofiler significance than the indulnenca Of
vehement passion for frivolous amusement
and bolsterous sport. It is sentiment o. lave
and affection for the land which gage Us birth.
1t is sentiment OF honest pride in the sue
cess OF our Tree and beneticent government.
and IN the growth and pros sperity OF the na.
tor. It is feeling Of dut5ful respect for tie
lofty character and sublime moral couraee Of
tcose sages and patriots who set their hands
10 tne Declaration of Independence, and mu-
many pledged to each other in Its support
their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred
honor. 4 is ! sincere and grateful trfbute tn
tee brave soldiers Of the Revolution. for the
blood they shed and the tolls and s1cri6crs
they encountered to maintain that declaration.
Il is reTerential homage to the Intelligence,
tortitude and fidelity Of the heroic leaders 10
that eyentfnl struggle-to that wisdom in
ccunelI and valor in War, by which the na-
tioEal cause vas supported through every II
clssltude OF fortune and all the melancholy
disasters and fiery trials it had to encounter.
1t IS feeling Of devotion to the constitution
ard the Union framed for US By our fathers,
whleh have made Us great and glorious among
FICTION all stimulate Us to preserve. It is, e.
naly, the desire to keep alive an earnest love
ot country, and to gather from the historical
"reminiscences which the day reeiyes, new and
fresh incentives to maintain at all times the
rights and blessings which our fltlc1E
achieved for US, with L discrimination equal to
theirs, and, if need be, With still greater sac
ritces.
Such are the sentiments which should anl-
mate and unite all American hearts uppl every
feturn OF this anniversary.
During the period Of seventy eight years
succeeding the close of the revolution and
the acknowledgement OF our independence, no
event occurred which greatly disturbed the
national serenity, or which tended to excite
serious apprehensions rs to the success of our
great experiment in self-goyernnlent. W:
h@d, it IS true, met dangers, but We had over
ccme them. Clouds had occasionally OBJ
scured tor brief season OFT political horizon
but they had rolled away. Doubts had been
awakened, in seasons Of political contention
and excitement, as to the durability Of our
tedsral system; but IS the Union continued
to flourish and dit1ust its beniguant blessings
among all the people it clasped in its wide
embrace, those doubts had rapidly given way
to general and abiding confidence that the
great conservative and prcserTati9e PRINCIPLES
OF the American character, which had pr5Je5
aeufhclent support o the government tdrou5h
all the di1icnlties 1t had yet encountered,
would also prove c sure reliance against ali
the follles and excesses Of tho future
First among these great conservative priuci-
pies was the apparently St,t'7ly and ardent at-
tSeh.schk 9t tc iste:.: q IT, L.4.tssd S,4tes to
the Federal Union.
This feeling until within recent period was
SHARED py all the States. Though stronger,
perhaps in some quarters than in oth-rS it
xas still confined to no section. East, West,
North and South, upon this subject, the great
body OF the people appeared to be OF one
heart and Ole nitJ. r. vas c feeling. resting
both upon sentiment aud clear eonctpt:oo
Of their material interests. Tha abundant bless
1Egs OF the I Lion Wert everywhere seen and
feH: the evils Of separation were Obvious and
startling.
Il band Of hot-headed conspirafors. n-ra5
on l., n uhhoiE ambition anu the love ri
Ioxer, have 1aieiy sucleeded, for time. IN
sitting this feeling throughout q portion OF
~ soulh, i is nevertheless true that the in,
p!ortance Of preserving the Union is as vital
now rs ever before, and the consequences o]
separation arc 10 less hideous and pplliiur
j., lhe importance of this subject, in view Of
TIE present condition of public AFT aiFs. will be
sufficient apology, trust, for deroting up-
on the Present occasion 4 brief space to its
consideration.
The foundations Of the Union were Laid at
m early period Of our eo1ol.1Al histury. Thz
1dea OF fcrullng perpetual crnttueracy oi
tue British colonies in America WIS su;-rrst I'd
by William Pcnn as early as 1857 II 1854 ;hC
IDEA vas revived By Benjamin Franklin. Or
ne l"11 Of jane OF that year commissioners
OF seven colonies assembled ut 1Albauv to con.
CERT measures OF defence against the French
Ii fore separating 1heY agrecd upon nlan oi
perpetual union which franklin mad u13tured
Il proposed that the legislatures Of
the different colonies should e1ccr tri@na;ally
grand Council to consist Of forty-cight mem,
bsfs- his council was to meet once a year
to regulate all questions of peace or war With
the Indians, the affairs of tfae and ~, W.
chnses OF land outside tho lini1s of nsrtie,l',
cclonies 1t was to orgsnize and t.innor,rifr I'M ~ i.
govern new settlements, to have cou.rol o1
inconsistent with The British e1ns.itrf;on ard uu
acts Of Parliament It was to fayc ,t ito h,s.d a
j governor general, appointed bv thc craWn
WHO shou]d mss, s. VITO r,ower N III ~. - -
the council. Tuis plan. Which hear, = T.rr ~
pgrceptiul,, rsstmhlanc.. to tho I,asis nr
1rre..nt coret;rr+;o, - VSst7 ~ o,At