Arizona miner., 1868-07-11
oRATION
Delivered at Prescott July 4th- 1863, BY r. J. COOK

There exists, in the human heart rrinci- pie of nature that prompts Us Co celebrate those periods that are rendered memorable by tleir intimate connection with important events in our own aud our Country's history.
 Actuated by this principle the people of every nation have set apart certain days to be observed as days of general thanks giving . and rejoicing for great national blessings.
 The Jews, the ancient people of God had ! their Feasts of Tabernacle; their Passover . and Jubilee, at which times all the tribes . were accustomed to meet at the temple and . pour forth their gratitude to the Creator and . Preseryer ef the Universe. for the manifold . blessings bestowed upon them as "A people.
 The ancient Greeks and Romans, rccog |. nized in history as models of patriotism, hon ored their heroes while living, and their memory after death. and distinguished the days and places of their great achievements with military triumphs, games and fcstiyi- ! ties Even the poor Indians of our own land 1 have their days of rejoicing, their triumphs ] in war, Co be membered-celebrsted with 1 songs and dances. Thus it is the world over, among every people The principle is good, ] for it is founded in natural feeling, and is | worthy to be perpctuated. It keeps alive the ! fires of patriotism and rcyiyes the recollec
 tons of glorious deeds achieved by the great and good men whose names have been handed
 down from father to son through many gen
 erations.
 Actuated by the same principle, We have
 assembled here this day in the woods of Ar-
 zona. far from the great marts of trade and
 commerce, far from the great heart of the Re
 public. to commemorate the 92d anniversary
 of American independence And if there i-
 an event in the history of the world. day
 above all others dear to mankind, to all lovers of liberty, and especially to Americans, it
 should be the Fourth of July IT those who
 live under governments in which they have
 little or no voice can feel patriotic interest in the celebration of victories that illuminate
 the pages of their history, how much more
 ought we, q free and sovereign people tO rejoice at the mention of Trenton and Saratoga If the battles fought and won to satisfy the ambition of rival kings, and held in remem-
 brance to keep alive the national spirit how
 much more reason have we to celebrate the day that gave to Us freedom, independence , and a land of liberty
 1T, then, it is true that independence is the greatest of all national blessings, it is mani fest that over and above any day that any
 nation or people was ever called upon to celc-
 brate, the people of these United States are
 truly called on to celebrate the birth-day of T their independence, for 1t has secured to them - greater amount of civil, religious and politi- , cal liberty, than is enjoyed by any other peo-
 pie on the face of the earth
 On an occasion like this. it is ustomary to
 refer 10 the early settlement of the Country 2 to the causes that led 10 the Declaration - that has Just been read in your presence, tC
 discuss the form of our government, our du. z ties as citizens, and our prospects as people
 But purpose only to touch them lightly. e History informs us that the Country was |. settled principally by British emigrants, sub |, jects of Great Britain, men endowed witt
 the ideas and priciples of Hampden and Crom
 well. who gave to England the only real lib b erty she this day enjoys. Disappointed al . home in the reformation they hoped to achieve $ they left their native land for the New World, hoping and believing that they would
 realize here the glorious vision which stii
 reigned in their hearts, they brought witt t them hopes of liberty and the principles O l. democracy, that the people were the onll
 source of power, and that man was only an - swerable to God and his own conscience io ' his worship and faith They brought witt T. them the ideas of equality and freedom, ant n that which guaranteed them courage and th t spirit of resistance against every infringe v ment of these rights. By such men were th American Colonies settled. Imbued wit such principles, the burdens attempted to b
 imposed upon them by the British Govern
 ment by unjust legislation, through serie - Of year-, led to anlenation, war and, at length , separation.
 The Fourth of July, l7IG, was the date c :. the Declaration of Independence, and our DO '' litical separation from the Mother Country
 The instrument itself sets forth the reason
 of its promulgation to the world, and ;h
 causes of our secession.
 long and terrible war followed and lef J the thirteen Colonies independent States Y With the hardships and suiferings of our fore IS fathers, during the arduous struggle, you arr "a conversant, and it is only necessary for me {,
 mention them to call them in all their reali A ties tO your remembrance.
 ls At the commencement and during the war n a compact or confederation existed betweer l. the Colonies under which they acted. Having
 achieved their independence and established
 peace, the weakness and incompetency of tn, le confederation and the evident tendency 10 l. wards anarchy in the several States wa D. soon discovered by leading statesmen. ano , efforts were at once made and steps taker ' to check the discontent and save that whici ', had cost so much blood and suffering te d secure.
 It By resolution of Congress passed on tn, d Fist day of February, l1S7, call for Con n yention of all the States, to be held at thu :" City of Philadelphia, in May, l7s7 was is is sued. The Convention met and was fully or IF ganized on the 18th of May, by the electior y of George Washington, as President. and tho
 man who had burst assunder the British chair
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