Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1864-07-09
NUMBER 26.
The Btfthaey. OF Freedom

Were we asked to name the greatest day in the
annals of American Independence, we would
certainly be at q loss to choose between the
Fourth of July, l776, and the First of January,
1863 The Fourth of July is glorious day, and
worthy to be kept ever green in the memory OF
every true American citizen. On that eventful
day was great nation born, and on Columbia's
shores was reared an asylum whose spheres
doomed heavenwards, and like beacon-light
shone far DER the trackless deep, offering the
oppressed of all lands q hearty welcome to q new
home. The great spirit of liberty which mas
once lived and fourished in the East had been
crushed out by the tyrants rule, and freedom
blushed at her own name. Republic after re-
public went down in the great strife for power
National domain and personn ambition ruled
the madness of the hour until all was lost in the
awful struggle. independence was unknown ON
the whole earth. All was gone" glimmering
like dream OF things that were, d sehool-boy.s
tale, the wonder of an hour" Is it wonderful,
then, indeed, that we should Continue to worship
and celebrate that holy day on which great
ton solemnly consecrated to the principles Of
human liberty On the Fourth of July was the
sacred declaration of human rights tremblingly
unfolded to the world with the signatures of
1fty-six patriots boldly stamped upon its face,
who swore to sustain it, or in the event of its
downfall, should be sacrificed their lives, their
fortunes and their sacred honors. The battle
was fought and won. England was conquered,
and America was free. But great work yet re-
manned to be done. The discordant elements of
our nations greatness was to be gathered to-
gether and moulded into one harmonious whole.
The conflicting sentiments of great and free
people were to be reduced to uniformity, and
the many governments were to be made one
All this was accomplished and America was
styled the home of the free. So it was intended
by the great fathers Of the republic-those who
gave to the nation its birth, and fought to pre-
serve it.
But, alas, alas, we stopped short of the orig
inal design. The idea at once became prevalent
that the white man alone worthy of his free
dom, and the poor African fitted but for
slave So it was and so it continued to be for
eighty years. Slavery grew and flourished
until we nation, fast tending TO the
establishment of slave oligarchy, instead of a
noble republic. Slavery increased, we say, I'M
til millions of Gods people bent the neck to the
CALLING yoke of bondage. Most startling were
the signs of the times, and of right did good
men tremble for the fate of the nation. They
saw what was inevitable, and by the mouth of
Seward was it truthfully spoken, that this coun-
try must eventually become free or slavery be
established throughout. One or the other must
we have to rejoice and be glad, and ever keep
fresh in our memories the glorious day when lib
erty was proclaimed to all the people of America,
whether white or black.
Tho First Of January long may it be cele-
brated as the second birthday of American lnde-
pendence,