The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-07-09


We do not discover in our files OF Southern
newspapers any very jubilant welcomes ex-
tended to the anniversary of American inde-
pendence. One article, indeed, in an Alabama
paper, is headed "Hail Columbia, Happy
Land" and another, in Georgia paper, "The
Glorious Fourth" but both articles reveal the
fact that each heading was intended to be 'sar-
cassikul," as Artemus Ward used TO say. The
first article opens thus:-"The bosom swells
with emotion upon this blessed day-the day
when Columbia broke the chains of tyrant
and scared upward into the five military
monarchies," &c. The second consists of ex
tracts from the constitution, Thad Stevens,
Crittenden, Nelson, Story, Chase, Wade, Abra-
ham Lincoln, Horace Greeley, Charles Sumner,
Wendell Phillips and the New YoRK HERALD,
which extracts, being interpreted, mean TO say
to the North "out Of thine own mouth thou art
condemned" Sill another Georgia paper
says it is "unable to see any propriety what
return OF this once honored anniversary" but
it gives as q sentiment, "The Declaration of
Independence-tho lost to sight, to memory
DEAR"
A Charleston paper presents an elaborate
historical sketch of the Declaration Of indie
pendence, the formation of the constitution
" the only legal bond Of union,' and its ratifca-
ton by the separate States with reservations"
by several of them, and, in the cases Of New
York and Virginia, with an express DECLARE
ton in terms of the right of secession. Another
South Carolina paper, announcing "the ami
versary of nations birthday" deems that
for "the white members of this former Com
monwealth to participate in such mockery,
such deformed efigy of the past, would be
unbecominy." 1t cannot help, however, allud-
ing to "this day, so dear to every Southron
whose ancestors participated in the contest for
freedom and Independence" One Georgia
paper speaks of the Fourth of July as day
that once aroused every sentiment of patriotism
in the American heart But the Fourth Of
July, 1776, was long time ago, and change
has come over the fe slings of the editor who
passionately exclaims-" To-day we would well
come tho benign government that was then
thrown off as curse and after ninety years
exchanged for mill airy despo!ism and the rule
of the mob" Passing quickly from anger to
grief, the editor seeks relief for his sentiments
Gin the pathetic language of the sweet singer
of Israeli" Many other Southern journals
growl or blubber about the Fourth OF July in
similar fashion. But some are in better mood.
Another Georgia paper hoped on the morning
of the Fourth that the weather would permit
all to enjoy themselves to their hearts content,
adding "the usual celebrations will be engage Il
in by those who honor the day, and all should"
A Tennessee paper says, in old fashioned
Fourth of July style, " However we may dis
approve Of the particular manner in which our
country Is now ruled, it is still our country, and,
right or wrong, it is the greatest country of
the world. AS such we celebrate the day Of
its birth as a nation, trusting that soon we
may return to the principles of government
established by our fathers" etc. Finally. an
Alabama paper declares, "In any event, the
Fourth of July is yet national day. Let us
hope for the best, and take the most encourag-
ing view of the future of our country" Next
year, perhaps, this cheerful sentiment will be
echoed by all the journals of the United States,
from the Lakes to the Gulf and from the Allan
tic to the Pacific.