Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-08-06

Union though torn to shreds by the sac
riligious hands of its enemies. Zap.
plause.) How strikingly significant, how
suggestive to us, on this occasion is the
contemplation Of that august spectacle
of the recent Convention at indianapolis,
of scventy-fve thousand citizens calmly
and bravely participating in the discus
sion of the great principles underlying
their sacred rights as free men-neither
awed by cannon frowning upon thev lib
critics, nor provoked by threats into re-
taliatory violence.
w ould say to you, fellow citizens,
emulate that exhibition of wisdom and
patriotism. Be patient, but reso!ute.--
Yield nothing Of your rights but bear
and forbear. Let your action show to
the world that, with courage TO confront
despotism, You have also the discretion
TO avoid inconsiderate action in resisting
its advances. George Washington and
/ Samuel Adams, Mathew Thornton and
/ Charles Carroll, George Reed and Roger
Sherman, Philip Livingston and William
Hooper, Benjamin Franklin and Edward
Rutledge, George Walton and Richard
| Stockton, with their associates of all the
/ Is then independent sovereign States,
stood eighty seven years ago to day. in
| that simple but most memorable room,
where the Declaration was signed, like
the people of the States whom they rep
resented, with the solemn grandeur Of
high resolve, if apparently weak, yet
with their armor on and their hearts
strong for the contest OF civil liberty. II
we cannot be joyous and eXultant on this
anniversary OF that day, it may do us
/ good TO remember that Joy and exultn-
ton were far from the hearts oil the brave
( men who sanctioned the Declaration OF
Independence, and then fought seven
years to maintain it. mol they were OF
joyous but determined. They felt the
inspiration of great object and they
sought its accomplishment with storm,
devoted, self-sacrlicing spirit. ! hey
were animated by that determination
which in righteous cause of self defense
and self vindication is nvinciblc. The y
(, knew the condition of the Provinces in
point OF meh and munitions, and they
had clear perception of the colossal
power which they were to confront. But
neither one nor the other consideration
nor both combined, shook either their
i faith or their courage. They compensa
ted for the want OF numbers, arms. and
all which under ordinary circumstances
goes to constitute the siuews of war, by
the glory of their patriotism and the
strength of their purpose. TO be sure,
they fought for their rights, but their en-
duranco and energy were quickened by
an incaiculable power they fought for
their homes, their hearth-stones, their
wives and children behind them. i trust
it may be profitable on this occasion, as
tho call Of your meeting suggests, to re-
vivc the memories Of that heroic epoch
of the republic, even though they com,
t laden with regrets, and hold up that pc
riod of our history in contrast with the
G present. Though they come to remint
n us Of what were our relations during tn,
Revolution, and in later years, prior t,
y ] S61 to that great Commonwealth whicl
n we were accustomed to refer to by th
o name OF "the mother of Statesmen ant
of States;" and of what those relation
@ now arc. Can it be that we are never t,
{ think again of the land where the dust o
= Washington and Patrick Henry, of Jei
). ferson and Madison repose, with EN- otion
of gratitude, admiration and flial regard
"a Is hate for all that Virginia has taught
. all that Virginia has done, all that Vir
q gnia now is, to take the place OF senti
10 ments which we have cherished all on
. lives? Other men may be asked to-
is this, but 1t is vain to appeal to me. S
p. far as my heart is concerned, it is not
II subject OF voition. While there may i
n those in whose breasts such sentiment
@ as these awaken no responsive feeling,
feel assured rs ! look over this assem-
p. blage, that the grateful emotions whic
I have signalized this anniversary in al
!. our past history, are not less yours thar
= they are mine, 0.day. Let us be thank
iul, at least, that we have ever enjoyor
O them; that nothing can take from us tn
r. pride and oXultation we have felt, as "
saw the old flag unfold over us, and re
4 aized Its glorious accretion of stars from
the original thirteen to thirty four tha
r we say much, when we say, in the Ian
y guage Of New Hampshire's greatest son
9 II we can with assurance say no more
: 1.-The Past at least is secure" But il W
n cannot be joyous, my friends, as we hav
>, been on this anniversary, let us show thu
'r it is our privilege. with the blessing c
" God, to be consideratc, brave and wis
no No II there bo anything of tho great inheri
n ance, under existing circumstances, I
Os save, may we not in a humble, earnes
" way to contribute that salvation? If "
/, cannot do all for which our hearts year,
to may we not at least approach its COZ
J. summation, in that spirit of devoted 10,
$ atty to the Constitution and the UniU
which we feel? Let the disregard OF otl
1t ers for what the revolutionary father
'e achieved. and for tho compact which the
al made, subdued as they were in all thing
" but sense of night and honor by the su
v ierings OF seven years war, now stan
4. out before us. Let tho people realii
I'd what this constant ringing in their eal
to OF the charge that 1.-The Constitution is
Se covenant with death and league vii
ct hell" has brought about. And then Il
ct them see and feel what we hai in eigh
ht years of unexampled prosperity aud haI
la piness under that Constitution. Let the
1t look back upon those eighty years of civ
u liberty,--of the reign of constitution