The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-06-08
The Fourth of July.

What are we OF Stroudsburg, and Its vlcln-
ity. going to do about it. In many sections
of the country, as we learn from our exchan-
ges preparations are making to make the
celebration of the coming 4th, the greatest,
most becoming and grandest of them ALL
And why not Under the auspices of the
matchless deed performed by the fathers, IN
the Continental Congress, the Fourth of Ju-
ly is but little, Ifanything, less day OF I'M
portance than the Christian Sabbath. 1t is
the birth day of our liberty; 1t is the birth
day of our existence as a nation; 1t is the
birth day of those great principles which,
operating through our prosperity and happi-
ness, have opened the eyes of the world TO
the fallacy of the doctrine of ''the Divine
right of Kings, taught tyrants to tremble and
led men to know and to protect their status;
it is the birth day of that untiring patriotism
and energy which led US to determine upon,
and persevere in, the suppression of the
greatest and most disgraceful rebellion that
ever cursed a nation. Certainly there are
reasons abundant why we should give due
observance to the annual approach of the
day.
five had reason heretofore to give token
that we remembered and venerated the day,
how much greater the reason now, when the
the work of 1776 has just been SO gloriously
vindicated in this our second struggle for in
dependence. The fathers did much for us.
They suffered, bled and, many of them, died
for US, that we might be free; and, in doing
this, they furnished US the examples which
led US to make Vicksburg, and Gettysburg,
and Atlanta, and Savannah, and Charleston,
and Petersburg, and Richmond, memorable
in contest for the preservation of that free
dom; yea, more-which led us to extend the
area of that freedom, so as to embrace all of
Gods creatures within the bounds ofthe land.
True the deeds Of this day are those of diff
ferent era, and of another generation; but
the spirit which begot them was engendered
on the 4th day OF July, 1776, and they form
as much part of the history to which the
deeds of l776 gave birth, as does the Declara-
tion of Indepence ITSELF In the course of
things we can have but one natal day; but
we can make the celebration of that day all
the more earnest and acceptable, because of
the good things God vouchsafed to us in the
contest just closed.
But how shall we celebrate the day! We
answer nationally, and as become the intel
ligent citizens of the greatest country in the
world; not in rioting and debauchery, but
in reason, in sobriety and in thankfulness-
In this connection our mind reverts back to
the 4ths of July of our boyhood, when the
booming of cannon, the soul-stirring reveille,
and the ringing of bells announced the dawn
of our Independence day. At fixed hour
the citizens and military would form in pro-
cession and march to the largest church in
the place, where songs of praise and prayers
Of thanksgiving would be offered to Almigh-
ty God for the return of the day, and for his
watchfulness over us during the national
year just closed. The reading of the Decla-
ration of independence, and an grafton usual
ly formed part of the ceremony. When the
services at the church were concluded the
audience dispersed to celebrate the remand
er of the day as each one thought best. In
the evening fireworks, bon-frcs, the dis
charge of artillery, and general enjoyment
on the part of the people closed the day. 1t
was the elder Adams who suggested this man
ner ofcelebratioE and it is worthy of remark
that until it became too old fashioned thus
to celebrate, the words disunion and seces-
sion were scarcely known in the land
We design this article to be suggestive
altogether. We would not dictate, but we
would ask, in all seriousness-Is it right to
permit our National birthday to pass by
without recognition, and without public ex-
hibition of thankfulness for the great boon
which grew out of the event which made it
memorable! Citizens of Stroudsburg, and
vicinity, shall we have a celebration! If SO
we should be stirring about it. The time is
| full short.