Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1863-07-25

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"ands." II Is seen by this letter, at least,
that there is no longer doubt as to where
the responsibility for those unconstitutional
acts Of the last two years, perpetrated by
subordinate officers of the federal govern
ment. both civil and military, properly
attaches; but who ask, has clothed the
President with power to dictate 10 any
one Of US when we must or we may speak
or be silent upon any subject, and espc-
cially in relation to the conduct of any
public servant? BY what right does be
presume to prescribe formula of Ian
guage for your lips or mine 1t seems in
credible even with this authenticated pa
per before us, it is amazing, that any such
sentiment should have found utterancc
from the elected repres entative Of free
government like that of the United States
My friends, let those ooey such honest who
will you and have been purtured here
among the granite hills and under the clear
skies Of New Hampshire into no such SER
vile temperamert. True it is. that any ot
you, that my self, may be the next VIC
tim of unconstitutional, arbitrary, ire
sponsible power.
But we, nevertheless, are freemen, and
we resolve to live, or if it must be to die
such. Falter who may, we will never
cease to hold up on high the Constitution
Of the Union, though torn to shreds by the
sacriligeous hands of its enemies. How
strikipgly significant, how suggestive to US
on this occasion, is the contemplation of
that august spectacle of the recent convcn-
lion at Indianapolis, of seventy-fve thou
sand citizens calmly and bravely partci-
pating in the discussion of the great
principles underlying their sacred rights
as freemen-neither awed by cannon
frowning upon their liberties nor provoked
by threats into retalatcry violence. l
would say to you fellowcitizcns, emulate
:hat exhibition Of wisdom and patriotism
Be patient, but resolute. Yield nothing
Of your rights, but bear and forbear. Let
your action show 10 the world that with
courage to confront despotism you have
also the discretion to avoid reconsideration
action in resisting its advances. George
Washington and Samuel Adams, Mathew
Thornton and Charles Carroll George Reed
ard Roger Sherman, Philip Livingston and
William Hooper, Benjamin Franklin and
Edward Rutlege, George Walton and
Richard Stocktoi, with their associates
of all the thirteen then Independent SOW
ereign states, stood eigty-seyen years ago
to-day, in that simple but most memora-
BILE room, where the Declaration wa S
signed, like the people of the states whom
they represented, with the solemn grand.
eur of high resolves, if apparently weak,
yet with their armor on and their hearts
stung for the great contest Of civil liberty
If we cannot be joyous and exutant on
this anniversary OF that day, it may do US
good to remember that joy and exultation
were far from the hearts of the brave men
who sanctioned the Declaration Of lnde-
pendence, and then fought seven years to
maintain it. No they were not joyous,
bat determined. They felt the inspiration
of great object; and they sought its ac-
omplishment with stern, devoted, SELF
sacrificing spirit. They were animated
by that determination which in righteous
cause of selfvndcation is invincible. They
knew the condition of the provinces in
in point of men and munitions, and they
had clear PERCEPTION of the colossal pow
er which they were to confront. But nei.
ther one nor the other consideration, nor
both combined, shook either their faith or
their courage. They compensated for the
want of numbers, arms, and all which un-
der ordinary circumstances goes to consti-
tute the sinews of war, by the glow of their
patriotism and the strength Of their pur-
pose. TO be sure they fought for their
rights, but their endurance and energy
were quickened by an iucaculable power
they fought for their homes, their hearth.
stones, their wives and children behind
them.
trust it may be profitable on this oc.
casion, as the call of your meetirg suggests
to revive the memories of that heroic epoch
of the republic, even though they come
laden with regrets, ,and hold up that period
of our history in contrast with the present
Though they c,me to remind us of wha
were our relations during the Revolution
and in later years, prior to 1861, to thai
commonwealth which we were accustomed
to refer to by the pame of "the Mother o.
Statesmen and of States !" and Of wha
those relations now are. Can it be tina
we are never to think again of the lane
where the dust of Washington and Pat
rick Henry, of Jefferson and Madison
repose, with emotions of gratitude, admi
ration and flal regard Is hate for al
that Virginia has taught, all that Virgins
now is, to take the place of sentiment
which we have cherished all our lives ?
Other men may be asked to do this, but i
is in vain to appeal to me. So far as N,
heart is concerned it is not subject o
vo'ition, While there may be those who's
breasts such sentiments as these awakel
no responsive feeling; l feel assured as
look over this vast assemblage, that tn
grateful emotions which have signalize'
this anniversary in all our past history
are not less yours than they are mine 10
day, Let us be thankful, at least, tina
we have ever enjoyed them; that nothip
can take from Us the pride and exultatio
We have felt as we raw the old flag unfol
over us and raaliyed its 0lorious aocreti n