The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-07-07
Fourth Of July.

Fourth OF July.
ooh. what q glorious morning." wrote
the enthusiastic Adams to his compatriot
Hancock, as the cannon roar OF the conflict
at Lexington announced to him that the pro-
longed dispute between the crown and the
colonies had come to be referred to the ar
bitrament Of arms.
But the 10th Of April passes now almost
as unnoticed as any other day Of the year,
and the Importance Of the occurrence which
opened the struggle for the repeal Of a few
odious laws is cclipsed by the lasting houors
Of the day when, after enduring for more
than year all the evils and sufferings which
the wrath and power Of the most powerful
nation Of the earth conld infict upon them,
the colonists assumed higher ground Tor
their contest than that for which they first
commended, and declared that the colonies
were land Of right ought to be free and in
dependent States" basing this declaration
upon the broad foundation of the equality OF
man and his right Of self-sovernment. 1t
was this opening axiom Of the "Dcclaration"
that gave the rebellion Of few weak colo.
MES against the throne its worldwide inter-
est and significance. The day on which 1t
was enunciated us the cardinal principle OF a
great and free people, is worthy to be held
in perpetual remembrance that day is up.
propriately honored (as the elder Adams ear
Mostly desired it might beg by every token OF
rejoing, enduring and universal; 1t deserves,
as it receives, every possible demonstration
of unbounded public joy and respect. And
now, emerging successfully from terrific
and doubtful contest, waged IN defence of
our national integrity and Of the doctrines
of the Declaration We have well INDUCED
in unusually extensive and elaborate obser.
vances of the day, in honor Of the principles
it represents to our minds, which have in
spircd us during the arduous struggle 30 re.
Gently and happily terminated.
While making these outward and noisy
demonstrations of respect Tor the Declara-
ton we should be especially careful to avoid
the inconsistency land worse) of robbing it
Of its greatest glory by attempting to con-
fine its application to ourselves alone, or to
any one race Of the human family-to mar.
row to class what was meant for mankind.
To do this is to basely betray the princi.
pie rather than surrender which our late
President cmphatically and rrophctically de-
clared he would sooner consent to bc assassi.
mated upon the spot.
To do It is to insult the memory Of the
author Of the famous "Declaration :" of
whom the lamented Lincoln wrote to the
Boston Republican, "All honor to Jefferson
to the man who, in tho concrete pressure
of struggle for national independence by
single people, had the GOODNESS, forecast and
capacity to introduce into merely rsvolu.
tionary document an abstract truth applica-
BILE to all men and all times, and 30 to en-
balm II there, that to-day and in all coming
days It shall be rebuke and stumbling
block to the harbingers Of redpped'in tyrdn-
ny and oppression" To do this is to emas-
oulate the two most celebrated State Papers
in American History-Tho Declaration Of
Independence and the Emancipation Procla.
mation-and to make them palter in double
sense to over an eighth Of our whole popula.
ton, -l
excepting the word Of promise 10 their ear,
To break to their hope"
Unless We are penetrated and permeated
with the Spirit Of liberty and filed with the
desire that the whole race Of man should en-
Joy its blessings !: unless we are ready and
willing to extend the rights and privileges
Of free citizenship to all,-with only such
limitations mot based on class, color, race or
condi.ion) as may DO uniform, reasonable
and necessary for public safety-then arc
our loud preaching and professions vain; We
are vet in our sins, for which wc shall surely
suffer the heavy penalty: then are our ora
tious and resolutions as empty as sounding
brass and idle as tho tinkling cymbal. Our
solemn pomp Of feasts and procesions-yea,
moro, even the costly sacrifices Of the past
four years-are but vain oblations upon the
altar Of Liberty, unless presented and sancsi-
fed BY that willing heart which can alone
mako the Offering acceptable.
Las. week the house and barns Of Mr.: Bar