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

Fourth of July Speech of Mr. olfnx.
The following is a speech delivered by
Mr.. Colfax at the Fourth Of July Celebra-
ton in San Francisco, rs given by the
Alta.
After the music, which followed the
Grafton, there were loud and continued
calls for Mr.. Colfax. After some hesita-
ton Mr.. Colfax rose and said that he did
not como with the expectation Of speak
ing on this great historic occasion Of the
Republic, and when he received an invita-.
ton by telegraph to be present for that
purpose, he begged to be excused; but
now, that the request is urged so kindly
and so cordially, he supposed that he
could not excuse himself again. Zap
plause.l He rejoiced that he was present
with US on this day on the Pacific coast,
far from home, it is true, but among his
fellow citizens, and thanks to the brave
soldiers and sailors, fellow citizens not Of
a dcsolated and ruined Republic, but of q
united and prosperous country. Jap
plausc. Whether we come from the
storm beaten coasts of New England, or
from the peaceful wales that open to the
sunsets seq, we are oil the citizens of one
Nation.
Half q century had passed away since
the foundation Of the Republic, when on
the National anniversary, two ex-Presi-
dents who had stood together for an in
dependence during the revolutionary
struggle passed away. Though they had
been separated by the struggles of party,
they renewed their. friendship in later
years, and Adams and Jefferson went
hand in hand to the paradise whose streets
are paved with gold, whose gates arc of
pearl, and whose walls are of emeralds,
ruby and sapphire. After a period of one
third of a century, O vast rebellion broke
out, headed by perjurers, ingrates and
parricides. No parallel can be found for
their wickedness unless in the treason of
Catalina or Arnold.
Four years ugo to-day Congress was
assembled in extra session to hear the first
message of President Lincoln. Soon
afterwards they were appalled, by the de-
feat at Bull Run, which was not the fault
of the brave and gallant man who COM
manded there. Applause. We were
not prepared for war, while the rebels had
spent o long time in discipline and pre-
pairing their arms. Our men were brave
but, fresh from the field and the work.
shop. they fed, and the enemy might have
taken Washington the next day if Provi-
dence had not ordained it otherwise.
Another Fourth of July came. Con-
gross had adjourned. Victory had perched
on the banner Of treason. Dependency
prevailed and volunteering ceased. 1t be-
came evident that Slavery or the Union
must die, and the President determined
that Slavery should be the victim. Zap
plause.
Another Fourth Of July came, and U.
S. Grant received the keys Of Vicksburg,
that had 80 long deded us, and Lee was
defeated on the field Of Gettysburg.
And now. we come to another fourth,
the Fourth Of July, 1866, and peace and
union reign together over the land. When
he saw on Montgomery street the beauti-
full arch, which reflects 80 much credit OF
the architect, bearing or it the names Of
the heroes of the revolution associated
with those of the present time, he thought
that the spirits of Washington and Lin
coin looked together in pride and salts
faction on the work done which the peo-
pie commemorate to-day. If gratitude
does not die out, we can never forget our
obligations to the men who went out
from their peaceful homes to die. that the
Republic might live. They carried the
National banner over mountain and
stream, through imorass and forest, with
out faltering or failing. They gave a
harvest to death at Vicksburg, Gettysburg,
Lookout Mountain, Fred ricksburg, An
tietam, Chattanooga and Richmond, suf-
fering, bleeding ind dying for US. Let US
remember we'll I'LL our lives and keep
fresh in our hearts, the obligation that a
cannot repay. [Applause.l