The Cecil Whig., 1865-07-01
The Cecil Whig.
ELKTON, JULY 4, 1865.
The 4tIl.

The great natal day OF the nation IRON
present indications will be celebrated with an
eclat commensurate to the sublime position
she occupies among the powers of the earth.
We as a people have more to be thankful for
and proud of as citizens of the great United
States of America than any other nation on
the globe. Having conquered our indepen-
dence from one of the most powerful king
doms of the Old World, we rose to the mag
nitnde ofa first power in the world in 80
years; and to the great predominating power
of the Western Hemisphere. We as people
proclaim what may have been termed new
principle in the rights of man-his right to
elfgovernment-and at the same time re-
pudiate the assumption of monarchies-the
Divine right of kings.
Having founded our government on these
enduring principles, which nobly stood the
test of all outside interference and opposi-
ton, the great internal conflict, which his
torians aver governments must pass through,
came. This great death struggle for self.
preservation grew from the foul seed of
slavery which was planted at the birth of the
Republic, and growing like serpent in the
stomach of its protector and nourisher-it at
length conceived the diabolical crime of
strangling the nation, of overturning popular
institutions a.d building on their ruins an
aristocracy, fashioned somewhat after those
governmental institutions of the old world,
with slavery, however, instead of freedom as
its basis.
After upwards of so years of vigorous and
rapid growth in national greatness and power,
in which the theory of popular government
and the rights of man had been permanently
established, and taught to the world the last
great conflict came that was to try the
strength of this new system of government
with the utmost strain upon e7ery vulnerable
point. The storm burst upon this people
unprepared, with all the wild and hellsh
fury of the whirlwind. 1t broke over the
heads of a nation of peaceful denizens all
unaccustomed to the scenes of war and in
testine tumult. 1t ragged in it's widest fury,
threatening to engulf and sweep away every
vestige of nationality possessed by the great
Western Republic, while the crowned heads
and governing classes of Europe gave every
encouragement and material aid to the spirits
of this wild tempest of rebellion and civil
war which they hoped would speedily dissi-
pate forever the theory of popular govern
ment.
But in this hour of danger and trial the
greatness of the American people and the
strength of government based upon popu-
lar rights and upheld by educated masses
manifested itself. They did not shrink from
the sudden and appalling danger, but liter
ally beating the plowshare into swords they
sprang to meet the foe already drunk with
blood, and inflated with insolent pride, and
that confidence of advantage which nerves
the foul plotter and midnight assassin. They
met him foot to foot and hand to hand and
though often worsted and sore pressed in
this most deadly conflict, throwing them.
selves in the deadly breach, stayed with
their bodies the advance of the fiery wave of
rebellion and ruin till their comrades rallied
and gathered the strength of the nation for
the final struggle. That confidence of pos.
sessing both the right and the might to over
whelm all enemies to the Union, which
shone out with such resplendent beauty in
the true patriot, was grandly sublime. 1t
rose higher and brighter as the conflict deep.
ened and the tempest darkened, and the
opposition of the ruling powers of the old
world manifested their anxiety for the over.
throw of OUT institutions; till finally, the
matchless energy of an intensely determined
people, martialed armies in numbers such as
modern times never previously equipped,
maneuvcred and fought them in manner
that the world before never equaled. This
martial power backed by the incomprensible
resources of the nation, finally hurled the
monster rebellion headlong to destruction,
and again the Stars and Stripes shone in the
calm light of peace with resplendent beauty
and glory unequaled by any national emblem
that will float on the summer breeze of 1865.
And on Tuesday next, the truly patriotic
hearts of this people will swell with pride
and exultation when the boom of the morn.
ing gun ushers in the birthday of the thrice
redeemed and gorifed republic.
But in the midst of this great national
jubilee how many will have cause to hang
their heads and blush with shame, if on their
brows I" shame is not ashamed to sit.
Those who having been nourished in the
glorious freedom of her benign institutions,
joined in the hour of her danger the robber
and assassin. No less guilty are they than
he who conspires with the bandit against the
life of his natural mother. For a mans s
country should be as dear to him as the
mother who has nourished him, and he who
lifts his hand against either will be haunted
with the felon's curse till the grim king of
terrors claims him at last.