Nebraska advertiser., 1863-08-15
O r TION
DeItyered by Hon. o. p. MASON,
ON the 4th Of JuIy, 1868, at
the NarrOTs, AtChisOn
County. Missouri,

COUAENy UAASSO0AA
Were / a stranger among you, were
7 for the FIRST time permitted to behold
,be greatness. strength and glory of the
American republic. 1 should naturally
be lead to enquire, what means this re-
ioicing of the people, 50 general and un-
I~versal. with banners flying, and martial
music pealing through the air, all pro-
claiming the Joy and triumph Of the peo-
ple. Every where l should hear the
quick and ready response, a nation has
risen with one accord TO do honor, with
hearts filled with gratitude, thanksgiving
and praise to our fathers who meditated
and prepared and transmitted unto US
our glorious Union and the best govern
ment on the face of the globe. A gov
eminent which has and will continue TO
bless mankind with its principles of toler-
alton. and civil and religious liberty.
I should be told hat eighty years ago
sO-day the sun rose clear and bright, kis-
sing the dew drop from off the green
foliage and rejecting sparkling beauties
from the placid waters of the Delaware.
That scarcely had its first rays dispersed
the shades of night from Philadelphia,
ere stern men, than whom the world has
hever seen nobler, mightier or ADLER
we're seen vending their way through
he dusty streets of the Quaker city to-
yards independence Hall. The pOpu-
ace hurry after them with cheerful,
hopeful, and hasty footsteps, the husband
nan has left his pillow; the mechanic his
eorkshop; the laborer the field, the mer-
cbant the counter, the lawyer his brief,
md the physician has ceased to remem'
Der the languishing patient, and the wife
md maiden have left the cares of home,
FOung and old, high and low, rich and
poor, all, all are hurrying on, and gather.
fhe around old independence Hall; the
multitude heed not the rays of the burn-
be sun, but there they remain quiet and
brderly still watching and waiting with
bopefull hearts the deliberations of the
assembly now gathered within. The
Congress of the United Colonies of
America are assembled there. and their
meditations, deliberations, and conclu-
lions ar e TO fix the desIinies of a nation,
md speak, hope and life to the down.
irodden and oppressed throughout the
world. They have often met in that
same hall before. These same patriot
fathers sat there on the 18th of June,
when the pealing thunders of our can
mons roar at Buukers Hill, woke to aCtiv.
ity and life, the heaven born ideas of
civil and religious liberty. Every voice
is hushed in silence; every eye is fixed
with high purpose and stern resolve; and
upon the altar of every heart flames the
fire of patriotic zeal. Jefferson, Adams,
Franklin, Sherman, Livingston, Han.
cock and Carroll are there. The sun
has passed the meridian. 1t is now two
o'clock, and still the assembled multitude
without are waiting. The President is
inthe chair; discussion has ended; the
clerk is now calling the roll; the last but
pot least name of that assembly has been
pronounced; the "ays'' are recorded; the
declaration of independence is adopted.
The Joyous peals of the bell in that old
Hall proclaim the glad tidings of a ma
hons birth, that apeOple have been made
free. The prolonged and continued
fhouts of the multitude, the booming of
eannon, the waving of banners, bonires
And Examinations proclaim a nations
by.
Inc Declaration of Independence hav-
fng passed, the JOY of the moment was
nade permanent in the radiant sunlight
hope which pictured in the future the
omlng glories of the infant nation
{ s"auoung robes had already been
led IN the blood Of her citizens at Lex
gton, Concord, and Bunkers Hill. AL.
Faay that tyrant Power, whose red cross
g is painted with the blood of martyrs
i wet with the tears of widows and
nned by the signs of orpahns, that pow
which CLOSES murder over with soft
Prds' and sanctifes unholy ~blasphemy
ia prayer; that tyrant power upon
lose drum beat, the sunnever SETS the
ant power of BritOn, had prepared to
The newborn infant nation with ships
q war, and her Numbering cannon hand.
.ee by 25'oOO mercenary and hired sal.
diers.
But our fathersn, othing daunted. new.
doubling, trusting in Him who said
ct there be light and there was Light
a the tectitude of their intentions, rush.
to the defence of the infant nation
q civland religious iberty-hard, hard
iced was the struggle, and the gloom
2 darkness impenetrable save only by