The dollar weekly bulletin. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1862-1864, 1863-07-23

, arbitrary, irresponsible power. But we
nevertheless are free men, and we resolve
to live, or, if it must be, to die such. Fal-
: ter who may, we will never cease to hold
, up on high the Constitution of the Union,
Il though torn to shreds by the sacrilegious
hands of its enemies. [Applause.] How
strlkingly Significant, how suggestive to us
on this occasion, is the contemplation of=that
august spectacle of the recent Convention at
indianapolis. of seventy-fve Thousand citi-
zens calmly and bravely participating in the
discussion of the great principles underlying
their sacred rights as freem en---neither awed
by cannon frowning upon their liberties, nor
provoked by threats into retaliatory violence.
| would say to you, fellow citizens, emulate
that exhibition of wisdom and patriotism
/ Be patient, but resolute. Yield nothing of
your rights; but bear aDd 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, Matthew Thornton and
Charles Carroll. George Reed and Roger
Sherman, Phillip Livingston and VIM.
Hooper, Benjamin franklin and Edward
Rutledge, George Walton and Richard
Stockton, with their associates of all the
thirteen then Independent sovereign States
stood eighty-seven years ago to-day, 10 that
simple but most memorable room where the
Declaration was signed, like the people of
the States whom they represented, with the
solemn grandeur of high resolve, if ap-
parentlv weak, yet with their armor on and
their hearts strung for the contest of civil
liberty. If we can not be Joyous and exul-
tant on this anniversary Of that day, it may
do US good to rem ember that joy and exul-
tot L L
men who sanctioned the Declaration of In
dependence, and then fought seven years
to maintain it. No! they were not iovous
but determined. They felt the ius piration
of great object; and they sought its ac-
complishm ent with a stern, devoted, self
sacrificing spirit. They were animated bv
that determination which in a righteous
cause of self-defense and vindication is
invlncible. They knew the condition of
the Provinces in point of men and muni-
tions, and they had a clear perception of the
colossal power which they were to confront.
But neither 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
under ordinary circumstances goes to con-
stitute the sinews of war, by the glory of
their patriotism and the strength of their
purpose. 10 be sure, they fought for their
rights, but their endurance and energy were
quickened by an incalculable power; they
fought for their homes, their hearth stones,
their wives and children behind them.
trust it may be profitable on this occasion,
as the call OF your meeting suggests, to re-
vive the memories of that heroic epoch Of
the republic, even though they come laden
with regrets, and hold up that period of our
m NTH he
Though they come to remind US of what
were our relations during the Revolution,
and In later years, prior to 1861, to that
great Com IN onwealth which we were accus- |
toned to refer to by the name of the moth
er of Statesmen aud of States;' and of what
those relations now are. Can it be that we
are never to think again of the land where
the dust of Washington and Patrick Henry, |
of efferson and Madison repose, with emo
tons of gratitude, admiration and filial re-
gard? Is hate for all that Virginia has |
taught, all that Virginia has done, all that
Virginia now is, to take the place of senti-
mentS which we have cherished all |
our lives? Other men may be asked |
to do this, but it is in vain to appeal to
me. So far as my heart is concerned, |
it is not subject ofvolition. While there /
may be those in whose breasts such |
sentiments as these awaken no respon-
sive feeling. feel assured, as ! look over
this vast assemblage, that the grateful emo
tions which have sigUalized this anniversary
in all our asthistory, are not less yours than
they are mine, to-day. Let US be thankful, |
at least, that we have ever enjoyed them;
that nothing can take from US the pride and |
uitation we have felt, as we saw the old |
flag unfold over US, and realized its glorious
nF Fcto h. r1rrir 81 tk
to thirty -four; that we say, in the language
of New Hampshire's greatest son, if we can I
with assurance say no more, "rhe past at /
least is secure" But if we can not be Joy /
Gus, my friends, as we have been on this
let US show that it is our priv 7
ilege, with the blessing Of God, to be con-
siderate, brave and wise. If there be any |
thing of the great INHERITANCE. under exist |
ing circumstances, to save, may we not in |
an humble, earnest way contribute to that
salvation? If we can not do all for which |
our hearts yearn, may we not at least sp-
proach its consumm ation in that spirit of
devoted loyalty to the Constitution and the |
Union which we feel? Let the disregard of
others for what the Revolutionary fathers |
achieved, aud for the compact which they /
made, subdued as they were in all things
but sense of right and honor by the suffer |
ings OF seven years war, now stand out
before US. Let the people realize what this
constant ringing in tneir ears of the charge
that "the Constitution is covenant with
death and league with hell" has brought
about. And then let them see and feel
what we bad in eighty years of unexampled
prosperity and happiness under that Consti-
tuition. Let them look back upon those
eighty years of civil liberty--of the reign OF
constitutional law-eighty years of security
to our homes. of living in our castles, hum
BILE though they may have been, with. no
power to invade th em by night or by day,
except under the well defined and exhibited
authority of lava written. published law,