The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1868-07-07

ted by the learned Judges who set near me. VIII
YOU hear a word from them? They do not
speak i'm the interest of party but in the interest
of the Government
1t is much to be desired at any time that all
the departments OF the government should be in
accord 1t is indispensable that they should be
so now. We have suffered until we are exhaus-
ted. We must recuperate or die Passion must
subside; prejudices must yield; reason must re-
sumo her sway. The Government which is this
day inaugurated must have your support The
alternative to all this is SO apparent that even
the blind may knowit; another attempt at rev.
olution; other floods of blood; other fields
of carnage. And yet not like any other the
world has ever seen. Head US, our countrymen.
heed us! We have not deceived you before
We earnestly warn you now. Give US your con-
fdence and aid Come up to the support of the
Government which you have entrusted to our
hands sn And' o Goa helping, we will make it
strengthen it, If it be wrong, change if. But
let it be still the object OF your care and deyo
ton Let 1t be your Government, and make it
what II has Deen denied to be--the best govern
ment i'll the world. Honor this day-the day of
Liberty. BE proud of that Flag-love it--call
1t your fag-"alk under it-gather its folds
about you-lnake it larger-spread il ont Add
other stars. In the face of any enemy raise #
high Advance it, support it by your united
powers, and make the world respect it as mnch
as You love it.
On the part of the Judiciary, we offer to the
coordinate departments friendly hand, and to
the people we pledge Il firm adherence to the
United States.
After Judge Rcade had concluded, the ex-
erclses were postponed until six o'clock
The exercises at o'clock were resumed by
Lieut.. Gov. Caldwell, on the part of the
Legislative department as follows:
FRIENDS, FELLOW CITIZENS, NORTH CARROLL
MANS, AMERICANS You have, to-day, been
edlhed, instructed and delighted by eloquent
addresses from the Executive and Judicial De.
! partment of North-Carolina The hearts of all
true patriots have been cheered up and made
hass 9 Saen o
di.tingush;sa Erepresentatives Of those eo-9rdi
nate branches of State sp Is
Department shall not be silent on this interest
ing occasion. Desiring, my friends, not to mar
the harmony and beauty OF what has oeen sala
with SO much fitness, by the eloquent gentle
men who have preceded me, l shall content
myself by simply notifying this vast concourse
of patriotic citizens that the Legislative Depart
ment of North Carolina is in full accord with
the other branches OF the State Government
that it approves and endorses every word uttered
and every sentiment conceived in behalf OF the
Constitution and laws OF our common country
and I feel fully warranted in declaring that the
General Assembly of North Carolina is filled with
the enthusiasm and spirit which pervades this
happy and well pleased people.
What nv friends, produces this glow OF eX-
citement-this glorious political revival in our
midst? What has caused this large eoncourse
of people, OF frcemen, to come togeiner WIN
such happy faces and such joyous smiles. On
my countrymen! it is not alone to celebrate
this the National day of American Indepen-
dence-but it is also because this glorious
- Fourth of July" witnesses ne resurrection OF
our good cold North State" from the political
tomb 20 which she consig ned herself seven long
years ago-it is because we can again clam the
protection of the unsullicd flag which now floats
above us-because we can walk IN the iignt OF
~
ways and the byeways of this grand republic
Oh happy day fortunate people,! Let Us all
rejoice that the prodigal has been received, for
given and welcomed into the old family mansion
that the fattcd calf has been killed and all are
invited to the feast and that there is great re-
joicing around the domestic boards. This is no
private entertainment; it is spread for all who
may feel inclined to come and partake with us.
And now, my friends, while we are thus in the
midst of the wed spots OF earth, showing owing
God and be glad-and swear by all the memory
of our sires and by the love we bear for our
SONS, that from this day heucelorward and for
ever, we will stand by, defend, and if necessary
die for this, the best Government, which has
ever been vouchsafed to any people on the face
of the Globe.
Then followed the reading of the Declare
ton of Independence by Major Martin and
the reading of the Mecklenburg Resolutions
by Rev. Mr. Brodie.
After the conclusion of these readings, Mr..
VIM. NJ Coleman was introduced as orator
of the day and pronounced the following
Grafton: az q
FRIENDS AND w-CITfzENss-The his
tory of the human race is the record of contest
between civilization and despotism. The over
throw of empires and the succession of dynas-
ties are merely episodes in the great drama. We
pass over these with sense of WEAKNESS and
hasten to fix our attention upon those epochs
which are marked by some new advance of our
race. The annals OF the powerful nations of
tiquity tell us of war and conquest which have
res suited i'll little else than temporary change
of masters for the people. If aught else was
effected, it has long since been merged in the
great tide OF events, and we find no trace of its
existence to-day.
Different from this has been the history of the
new Evangcl which was announced to the sher-
herds around Bethlehem, proclaiming g Glory
will toward man. The fire which was kindled
tnere has been burning with steadily increas-
ing lustre, and the priests of heathenism are
still retiring before its light as its rays continue
to penetrate within their dark abodes This
was the Gospel which laid its hands on the foun-
datons of society; and for the first time declared
the inherent dignity OF human nature and the
equal value OF every human soul. 1t is in tru-
cling this progress of the race that history has
an interest tor us 1t is in watching this cease
less struggle of human nature to free itself from
the restraint OF unjust laws and to arrive at its
legitimate development, that the lessons of the
past may be turned into profit for the future.
Prominent among the triumphs of humanity
is the Declaration of Independence which was
sent out to the world ninety-two years ago, and
the anniversary of which event we celebrate to
day. This declaration was a protest against
European ideas. : 1t a declaration of war
against caste. 1t was an enuuciation of the Re
publican doctrine of ali equality of rights in the
broadcast possible language.
England had declared that all men were not crc-
ated equal, but that some were born to COM
mand and others were born to obey. ''All men
created equal and endowed with certain
inalicnable rights shouted back Republican
America across the sea, and then commenced to
write out the history of the new born nation on
the soil of Bunker Hill. The Fathers built better
than they knew. They laid the foundation broad
and deep. From Bunker Hill to Appomattox
Court House, from the first blow for liberty
to the last expiring struggle for slavery the
work has not been suspended, and now it is de-
volved upon us to crown and complete the ell
flee. Ours is the task to place the last stone
in the building and to unfurl the flag from the
dome of the beautiful temple upon which we
may to-day inscribe the motto, "The Constitu-
ton of North-Carolina, securing equal rights to
all her citizens.
The reconstruction acts of Congress are the
natural fruits and consequences of the Declare
ton of 1776 The principles Incorporated in
that instrument have only been waiting fitting
occasion to spring from state of allegiance into
active operation These principles constitute
the ground work of theory of government.
They the foundations of civil and religious
liberty. To organize these principles into law
and to give them practical force and effect should