The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-07-09
ADDRESS,.
At a Citizens Celebration of the
| Fourth of July.
By ]. NJ. McELRoY.

Time was when addresses on Indepen.
dence day were occupied with views of the
greatness and glory of our wonderful Re-
public, its unexampled growth, the excel
lence ofits Institutions, and the splendors
of its unfolding future. Not such are the
thoughts of to-day The stern realities OF
the present exclude from view our bright
visions OF the future and scarce leave room
for the CONCENTRATIONS Of the past.
Anxious solicitude fills every thoughtful
mind. Peace no longer dwels in our once
happy land. War in all its horrors and in
gigantic proportions stalks abroad through
the land Hundreds oftheusands of brave
men have already fallen by the sword and
by disease, having laid life upon the altar
Of country; and hundreds of thousands
more are ready if need be for the sacrific e.
Upon this anniversary day, far from home,
amid the dust and heat Of a midsummer
sun, they are confronting the foe, battling
for the integrity and perpetulty of our gov.
eminent
Eighty seven years ago our nation was
born. Shall it live, or die :? The Jewish
nation existed as such 1000 years, the AS
syrian Monarchy 100 years, and Persian
Government 100 years. Rome ruled the
world for 500 years, had been 500 years at
tanning her wide dominion, and was 500
years in dying. Britain, Fran ce, Russia
the great powers of the world were nations
1000 years before ours was horn. Shall
81 or 90 number the years of the American
Republic? Shall that government which in
the sincerity Of our hearts we believe to be
the best on earth,and upon which strangers
and foreigners look with admiration, and an
oppressed worid with hope, perish ?-per-
ish in the very commencement Of its career
- flashing at once and forever ours and the
worlds hopes? How can the question be
consi Tered other than one of the deepest
solemnity?
What is it that renders this day deserv-
ing of celebration. Other nations have
their great days commemorative of their
great events. Have we no better reasons
than Spaniards for celebrating the expul-
sion of the Moors, or Austrians the Subju-
CATION Of Hungary or Mexcans the landing
of Cortez? Do wo hail with gladness the re-
turn OF the 4th of July because England's
pride was then abased, or because the gov
ernment which enjoys the distinction of
having you and me among ITS fovored citi-
zens then took its origin Nay there are
reasons which challenge the scrutiny of an
intelligent world, why this day beyand all
other days in the year should be hailed
with distinguished JOY by the American
Citizen.
A new Government, based upon new
principles, was. then formed. Hitherto
mankind were considered, not only in fact
but in right. as made up of two classes
the rulers and the ruled. One was born
with crown on his head and sceptre in
his hand, another with letters on his hands
and marks of the lash on his back. Gov
eruments were accordingly regarded as in.
stitEted for the benefit of the one or the few
who enjoyed its honors, rather than the
many whose sinewy arm performed the toll
and whose loyal hearts constituted the
strength of the nation.
Our fathers in their immortal declaration
proclaimed to the world that governments
are instituted for the benefit of the people,
and derive their just powers from the con-
sent of the people. They affirmed that
there were certain rights belonging to man.
kind which were unalienablc which they
themselves could not part with, and of
which no power on earth could rightly de-
prive them and that this was not merely
a truth susceptible of demonstration, but
selfevident truth, an ariom, demanding
The assent of all. They affirmed in sub
stance that in the eye of a just government
he happiness Of the peasant in his cottage,
S just jas sacred as that Of the Prince nn
ais throne and that, g. mankind, irrespec-
i've of rank, wealth, color, climate, or ma