, 1863-07-20
Grafton Mt Des mOiueS.


A thrilling Fourth Of July oration was de-
1iyered at Des MoiDes Qowa) on the Fourth
Of July, by F. ". Palmer, Esq, before an au-
dience Of 5000 people. We make from 1t the
following extracts:
This is no new conflict in which the nation
is epgBgedi Since the foundation Of the
world, Nations have been conyulsed or over
thrown by the warfare Of Capital against
Labor; OF aristocratic against demecra&tc
classes. The Southern States were founded
and haye been ruled BY IN aristocracy Of capI-
talists. They eBslayed Labor, and therefore
held it in degradation. They eubsissed upon
the fruits Of social and industrial tyranny,
and therefore had no sympathy for Rspubli-
Can liberty. When they could 20 longer rule,
ment, and 1t is they who hare forced upon the
people the alternatives Of making the nation
all free or all slave! Twenty one millions
Of freemen have accepted the issue, and from
every loyal home has gone forth the pledge
that as God liVeth this Government Of our
Fathers shall be preserved as Inst asylum Of
freedom, even though the property and the
lie Of this generation be expended in It's de-
ftnse, and . war in its continued defense
.hould be left as legacy for our childreni
With National liberty gone, whnt is there In
life worthy the pride Of an American citizen?
From our mothers lips and from that great
exposition Of human rights which, eig ghty.
seven years ago to day, was hurled into the
globe, we were taught to believe that the
natural condition Of man is that Of liberty;
that until be shall forfeit this right by the com
mission Of crime, no king, no potentate, no
power on earth can rightfully take 1t away
from him. It was this immediate truth as its
foundation which enabled little confedesa-
tion Of American colontsts, weak In numbers
hut strong in the moral power which just
cause inspires, to meet and overcome the
Eerils Of a seven year'8 war, aud establish
National Government which in three-quarters
Of u century, numbered thirty millions of IN
babi ants. To protect q Government thus
founded, as be would protect his own life, is
answer to his own conscience and to hts God
Ms to the manner In which he is meeting this
responsibility"
Men Of Iowa! You have thus far known
ye1y, little of the rigors of Var! Your
you In defence Of the Government, aud many
Of them have fallen By the wayl 4 vacant
cbuir at the family board, or the vision Of q
green mound on far.of Southern soil, re-
minds you OF great personal sorrow. Your
business may hnye been temporarily deranged
or you my haze felt eomewhat heavily the
new burden Of Federal taxation. But no hos
tile armies have penetrated your borders.
1on plant, and sow, and reap, and prosecute
the entire round ofindustrinl pursuits. Your
products bring fair remuneration, money Is
abundant, works Of public improvement are
doors, the treasury Of your State Is over
flowing with its revenues, and every private
and public interest bears the evidence of q
n Gre general and more healthy prosperity
tllan has been know before even IN periods
Of peace. The only peril whinh menaces us
Is That which threatens the remainder of the
nation! But until it ehall be removed, and
permanently removed, all other earthly in
terests will be as nothing! The last great
fabric Of Tree Government Ia on triall With
the exception Of few free municipalities and
fnpotent considerations, locked In among
the crags and gozgeB Of mountain ranges,
Republican Liberty has been swept from the
face Of Europe. If it Is to be also driven from
the Western Continent, the reign Of Despotie
Power may not be broken for agesl With
snch interests involved, there Is no personal
immunity nor possession which the Govern.
n'ent may not 1ightfully demand at our
haEds! A voice from the graves Of our Rev
olutlonaT sires floats in every breeze, charg-
ing us to guard the liberties WhIch they paf.
ehascd with their llresI
The example OF the brave martyrs who hare
already fallen during the war, stands before
us as perpetual admonition to defend the
cause for which they fell The mute elo-
quence which goes firth from the anxious
faces and the taddencd hearts Of every Free
mans home, points US to the path ofdu,y aud
Of gloryl Tie incalcu1able interests Of the
great future beckon us on to the performance
Of every labor and Of every sacrifice which
shall did In perpetuating the political Inheri-
tance Committed to our trustl And from
Gods Throne descends the lesson that if we
would enjoy the blessings of Christianity, We
must protect the interests Of Libertyl With
thtee responsibilities discharged, our cause