Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-07-19
4TH OF JULY GRAFTON AT MT
CARMEL.
BY Rev. ]. w. Chaffin.

their feasts of tabernacles, passovers and
jubilees. The classic Greeks and Romans
held in sacred remembrance the days and
places marked by the mighty achieve
ments of their renowned heroes. We, too
have . day., ever to be kept In sacred
memory-a day marked by one of the
grandest and most important events OF aD-
cient or modern times-ths birth Of Amer
ieaa Independence.
Many grand historic recollections crowd
the mind. We are carried back to the
time when our ancestors were wandering
in the woods of Germany, and along the
banks of the Caspian Sea. We see them
taking possession of the British Isles,
more than thirteen hundred years ago,
and animating their institutions with the
spirit of freedom. We see Columbus
piercing the medieval darkness that COW
cred the Atlantic, and behold his discov-
ery of this new world. We see our an-
cient fathers of four-fold extraction,
through whose veins coursed the Anglo,
Saxon, Danish and Norman blood, enter
ing upon their grand mission in this west
cru wilderness of America. We witness
the Pilgrim Fathers, near two and half
centuries ago, driven by persecution across
the perilous ocean, aud thirsting for lib
erty of conscience, landing at Plymouth,
and in savage wilderness laying deeply
and broadly the foundations OF our insti-
tutions Of learning and religion. We see
the Colonists Indignantly denying the
constitutional rights of Great Britain to
Al nh 4
ly protesting against the tax on tea and
finally throwing cargocs OF this commodi-
ty into Boston Harbor. We are remind
ed Of the assembling of the Continental
Congress at Philadelphia on the 9th OF
September, f77l, and Of the adoption OF
the important resolution suspcnding all
commercial intercourse with Great Brit.
ain. Our hearts are stirred, when we call
60 mind the first blood shed in the Kevo
luton at Lexington on the 18th day oil
April, ITS. We see the brave Colonlsts
seizing the forts. magazines aud arsenals,
organizing regular forces, sending .expe-
ditions to Ticonderoga and Crown Point,
dislodgiug the British forces at Boston,
taking the emnence called Bunker's Hill
on the 10th of June, 1775, throwing up
breastworks amid the fierce cannonading
from British ships and batteries. We
see General Howe, with threo thousand
regular troops, dashing against only hf
teen hundred American patriots. We
witness the fall of one thousand and fifty.
four Britons aud four hundred and fifty.
three Americans. We see the thirteen
Colonies uniting in the Articles of Con
federation, wisely selecting George Wash
ington as the Commandcr-in- Chief Of the
American forces whom We see establishing
his headquarters at Cambridge on the 2nd
of July, I775. We witness the gallant
attempt VI the Americans 10 take posses.
sion Of Canada under Geoeral Montgom
cry. We sec Montreal surrendering with
out resistance; our troops amid terrible
December snow storm attacking the
strongly fortified city OF Quebec; the fall
Of the lamented Montgomery; Washing
ton in the winter Of l776 investing Bos.
ton; on the 4th of March planting hi,
battery on Dorchester Heights, aud on
the 18th compelling the British General
Howe to abandon the city.
80. All these great historic facts and events
touching our national generology, and
Gods preparation for the establishment
Of this widespread Republic, are of thrill.
ing interest to every true American,
They were preparing the way for the
+. greatest event in the annals of the nation.
-r Hitherto our fathers had been content
with mere constitutional Liberty under
the British Crown, but now a new aud
broader thought enters their heart and
mind. They thirsted for National Iade.
psRdeRce. Hence the adoption of the i'm
perishable Declaration Of American Inde
pendence on the 18th day Of July, 1776.
The glorious idea Of freedom, which had
laid upon The heart Of humanity for many
thousand years as a dim sentiment,
: s,ninety-one years ago to-day founda clear
and manly utteranee in the sublime lang
mage OF this Declaration. 1t is a concen-
fration Of the wisdom and patriotism Of
ages--a chain Of self-evident maxims and
universal truths-a grand epitome of po-
litical philosophy mighty out gushing
of the innate sentiment Of mankind, and
a manifestation Of the providence of God
stirring the great souls Of our revolution
ary fathers. II goes back of all prece.
dents, magma chartas, aud constitutions
is not satisfied with tradition, but trans.
lates from Gods own handwriting upon
the very constitution Of human nature
the Inherent rights Of universal man. It's
truths, resting as they do on the conscious.
ness Of mankind, went abroad in their
strength and beauty, infising the fires ol
. liberty into the hearts of millions of the
Old World. France was stirred to her
sprofoundest depths, and soon broke out
In mighty revolution, whose far-reach
ing influence Is still manifest in the eter.
nal tide of human history. Her ancient
monarchy crumbled, and all Europe wa:
convulsed with excitement.
> Such was the character. and such the
power, Of the political faith proclaimed by
our revolutionary sires. On that glad day
when our fathers made this declaration
Old Independence Bell rang out LibertI
to the united Colonies; her freedom peali
q rolled along the waters OF the Delaware
and.reyerberatcd among the neigbboriDl
hills and valleys. Then an infant natior
started into glorious being with an adopt
ed faith but a faith not yet won. The
next step was to maintain il.
81, This led through continued scenes O
blood and trial. But will not detain yor
here among the exciting scenes of For
Moultrie, Long Island, White Plains