Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1865-07-05

THE EVENING NEWS.
.ORATIONla
Delivered in MaRuire,s Opera House,
Virginia, by Colonel CHARLES a.
sumner, July 4, 1865, l-.nE ~

oEAIloN,
Delivered in naRuire,s Opera House,
Virginia, by Colonel CHARLES a.
Summer, July 4, 1855. r,aT #E
Mr.. President and Fellop-citi.e,,s: Four
years ago, to-day, at the special summons of
the President, the Congress of the United
States formally convened at the Capital to
commence the making Of full preparations for
the stern labor Of preserving the Government,
and perpetuating the institutions Of freedom
which had their expression in the immortal
Declaration of '76, and which had been
covenanted to us in the Constitution finally
adopted in l7S7-89. The war had begun.
The tocsin had already been sounded, the
blow had been struck which loyal freemen
could not brook, there had been skirmishing
on the outposts, many citadels had
been stolen and one had been, taken
by an overwhelming assault, martyrs
had fallen in behalf Of the cause that was
jeopardizcd, and there had been a gathering
Of armies for the first important field Of con-
test Yet, to this date we may look as the
fit and pre-eninent mark Of time for the
complete opening Of the great drama; with
in the four years we count to-day, are en-
closed the actual battles and the accomplished
victories, the requirement Of triumphs for
peace and regeneration to the American
Republic. Many of the principal scenes Of
the war, itself, have conspired to contine and
emphasize this as the annual celebrating day
of the Nation. There is near approaching,
centennial hour OF commemoration; yet
that hour will scarcely hold more peculiar
epoch and interest in the history OF the coun-
try than we note to-day, when Il can be first
said: "Thcrc is Peace. There is no more
War" after q rebellion protracted through
an administration term, and characterized
throughout, in its deeds, its positive threaten
ings and its possibilities by features more
thrilling than ever before absorbed hope and
affection and begat resolution for moral
sacrifice in the mind and heart Of noble and
aspiring humanity. ..,.. =,
Welcome! the Day. And first, be it
saluted with the invoked memory OF the
Fathers of the Republic. o.! Blessed
| Fathers! Your names and your heroic acts:
are not forgotten nor oyershadowed because
Of the trials and suferings and the mighty.
successes Of the latest years. Our brayest
and most honored champion would ardently
spurn the appellation that would make him
| presumed equal for the title to veneration
with the leading spirits OF the Revolution.
| On the serene heights Of assured fame the
founders Of our Government appear to us.
| Through tribulations which challenge Tor
their representation all the terms descriptive
Of pain and Of honor, our Fathers secured for
US this goodly heritage. 1t becomes us al.
ways to study the record Of their labors and
their sufferings (; 1t is required Of us to day
that We give them especial thanks for their
sufferiugs in vindication Of the inalienable
rights Of man. And Thou, the very Father
| Of our Country, receive again from us the
undiminished, the ever increasing ascription
of gratitude for the exercise Of thy incom-
parable powers, in the wisdom Of righteous.
ness, towards the setting up of those institu-
tions OF Freedom which, but yesterday, were
maintained and made enduring through the
courage and agonizings Of thy children. Lo
though round thy ancient home and sepul-
chre the tide of battle has surged, and the
crack Of musketry and the thunder OF artil-
| lcry have shaken tho urn that holds thy
precious ashes, none so sacriligous, OF all
| the hosts of internal rebellion, as to desc
crate the immediate precints and enclosure
of thy resting place with the actual strife or
carnival OF war. Blessed Fathers! Your
deeds are remembered. Every field where
ye fought has name that is enshrined IN
our recollection, which cannot be uttered
without exciting our reverence and pride as
sons, and heirs and joint heirs in the Estate
of Freedom you bequeathed to US. Tho
story Of the Revolution permits no eulogium.
! In its simple letter It shadows in vanity the
praise OF man. Andl let no one, however dis
| tinguished, however capable or felicitous In
| the employment Of eulogistic phrase, in fool
ish conceit attempt to enhance the glory
which flashes from the calender OF our Ma
tons first generation. ,...
This is the SSth anniversary Of the Declara-
ton Of Independence. The day has been
rendered familiar, from earliest childhood, to
the majority Of those here assembled, by the
recurrence with it Of demonstrations OF the
order which we now witness. The history Of
events first celebrated by US, has passed into
80 many forms Of literature, is springing
forth in so many conversations Of our lives,
that to present It now, in specific rehearsal,
might seem a work Of superorogation and
impertinence. But part Of the humble,
though earnest endeavor Of the hour, ought
not to be other than an attempt to freshen
uu, nav dssnen onr ;mnrsssions @ Of recently sur.
n,nynte5 5,noer. and of The duties, the
mr;v;Isscs Tss The snSl;m;tv of the Present. And
iu;,h r. roraiIoi. ,nS contTasts and CON :,
nns.,s @ ofFardsS within the limits we have
mentioned. the ,ask ought not TO be difficult
or wear;some. Eiuhtyxnine, wears ago to.
S,v The Decioration OF Independence. which
@ asserted the RIGHT Of all men to life, liberty
and tho nur,uit OF happiness, was given to
the world. The bell which swung in the
tower Of the Ola Continental Congress Hall,
in, Pb;I,Srlnb;a, nioclaimed from its brazeri
throa. ,be a5on,;on of those immoral articles
of nolitical faith, and struck the kew note of
rho Anthem ~ new Renublic. -. ~, ~
II Il IL an oSseryN,;on Which invariably at,
taches ;t.s,f IN \ review OF All great move
nents destined 10 secuie permanent results,
that their 'inoention and their growth into
systematic lines; is -yery gradual; that their.
or;oinators and conductors approach their
decisive actions not only. with, unhurried
steps. but with much Of reluctance and un:
con,ciousne.s, That which can be expressed
In the de.crin,ion OF mere impulse, ia fsr
- M. = 81 -,;she Ia ~, 40 ~ m s;,i