Litchfield enquirer., 1863-07-02
Chr National BIrfIl-day.

Qur NaflOnaA BlrfIi-days
 On the fourth of July eighty-seveu years ago, Inc American Union ras born amid the throes of bloody civil war, and ss the annual com ]. smsmontion of that event approaches, it is St. ting that va should recall ths story of those times. not only for Is historic and patriotic ils frrest, bnt for light. hope ard encouragement in tho momensoas struggle through which we are passing.
 The war of, '76 was for independence, and the Southern Rehsllion ia also for indspen- dsnes, but here all resemblance bstweon the two causes utterly fails.
 0ur fathers fought for personal liberties which were their birth-right as Englishmen, md which were withheld from them in def apceof Law and Justice: the South rebels because isis 10 longer able to pervert the Law into sabsefyisnce to crime against the Law of Nations and of God.
 Our fathers had to fight to free themselves ; the South chooses to fight for tho power to snslaye others.
 0nr fathers exhausted every effort for legal redress before taking the sword the South rrshes madly into war before it has suffered grievance, and without even asking for terms.
 Our fathers fought for that which was need sful forthem and not injurious to England the South fights forthat which is at least not nee essary toitssown freedom, peace or prosperity. butswhicb, if carriad out, will disintegrate the Repnblis and plunge it into anarchy and csaseless war.
 0urfathsrs fought for that which was in ac- scordancs with the laws of progress and the .commonsssnse of mankind: the South fights for that which (even if it were good in itself is against ths verdict Of Christendom, and the march of society.
 Qur fathers conducted the war according to ihs usagas ef civilization !, the South exhibits the cruelty and atrocity of barbarism.
 Our fathers had the sympathy of the friends of liberty throughout the world, and the help of foreign powers; the South is execrated and stunned even by the dsspots who would help it if they dared.
 Oar fathers fought foe fur distinct across Sthe ocean, and succeeded only with the help of naval power: the Confsderacy is sur- rounded by foes without, and fllec with enc. mics within, and has scarcely the vestige of a navy: ss
 Our fathars were in most places nearly unan. incus against their enemies the South h us to dread nearly half its population, as ready at any moment to rise up, its deadly and impla- cable foe
 Our fathers were Sunsolash and godly men, whose fortituds vas the result of Christian principle; the Southern army ,is mainly com. posed of ignorant yagabonds, who have been cheated into frenzy of hate by their vile and trsitoroua lssdsrs, and who, fl they could know the truth. would turn upon these leaders and crush them.
 Our fathers were guided aud encouraged throughout their struggle by. the signal favor of God: while from sll He has revealed of His character, we know that He cannot look spon the cause of ths sonth but with abhor- renee. X
 z Fer thess and other reasons which will sug- gsst themselves to the reaecting mind, it is evident that the American Revolution totally. differed from the Southern Rebellion, in cause, motive, manner. spirit, t,and result; and that any inference drawn from the mere fact that both ere for Tndspsndsnce, is exceedingly shallow and illusory
 Let as now, on the other hand, compare our o0n motives and purposes in the present war Jor the Union. with those which actuated our Revolutionary sires, when they consecrated sna esnsntsd by their blood this great Re p1blie.
 Oar fathers took up arms at first only to re- cover rights which had been wrested from them ip defiance sf the great Charters of the English Constitstion. In doing 50 they were dsisndins Law and Government more than as- sAiling thsul. and were viadicating their loyal- y with their liberties. But when they found that their rights would cost great struggle. they manfallY vent further and said. We will conquer liberty not only for ourselves but for au msn. for all have m equal right to life, lib- srty. and the pursuit of happiness. Aud to secure these inalienable rights we will found . Commonwealth on the basis of Uaipsrscl Free don, to maintain which ws mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes. and our sa- cred honor."
 Just 70 ths Union at 6sst went into the present conflict. only to enforce the Constitu ton and IAvs IL VII scrsp1lousIy tender to ward the sefy systsm uhieh~had caused the eashssak. Blt when. apdsr this tseatmeut. .ths Asbsllien srew eonstantly more formidable.ths sroaasd ssnse md conseispes af the nation d la1t cried eut, ~Write ppun our banuers Libert, tsths Easlased r Tho edict vent forth never {, bs ssea'lsd, and our asg bec.ns once more K, emblem of Freedom. And so + the value o sonscious rsssliads. shs gratsiul praysrs ap, sc5Fts of millions Of enftanchissd bopdmsu ga ihs lpptob1lion of sghteons God cs, u.v3.<iI 1h;e o><1nnd Revolnf;on Jill ..d ,. !.