The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1868-07-14

Ninety-two years ago on this historic day,
Liberty received its birth. For centuries it
struggled against tyranny and despotism, oc-
casionally modifying governments, upheav~
ing nations, and amid the throes Of Keyolu-
ton, loosening tho grasp Of monarchs, and
lifting humanity to the plain Of . higher civ
ilization. Yet during I'll these ages the child
WAS imperfect. But on that memorable day,
July the 4th, 1776, the star Of freedom rose
Around it stood the fathers. Its name was
Liberty. And with uplifted hands they
.pledged their lives, their fortunes and their
sacred honor to protect and defend it.
There are sentences which embody great
principles, and gather strength with the sweep
of time. Take some Of the wonderful utter
ances Of Christ, and the ages only can unfold
their grandeur. So with this-all men are
created equal and free, possessing certain in
alienable rights, such as life, liberty and the
pursuit Of happiness. Little did the fathers
conceive that the ages wsrs 70 be politically
revolutionized by these few words. II WAS
the leavsn that was to work out the grand
contamination Of human freedom, and cul-
inmate in the overthrow Of thrones and dy
nasties IN all lands. Never were these prin
ciples so deeply fixell in human purposes as
to-day. 49,
This il glorious, m immortal day! Why
do we meet upon this day with banners, and
songs, and thanksgiving, and exultation? It
is because upon this day Liberty broke away
from the grasp OF mbnarchy ~ because star
appeared amid the galaxy Of nations. Il Is
true, the star was diIl, and political philoso
phers conceived it to be but q secondary
planet but to-day ii standsforth az q central
orb, around which the nations Of the earth
are taking their positions, "a the moon, earth
I'D n$A IL tust ~ ~
arrange themselves afoand the sun.
But am reminded from the scene around,
And ftpm that Monunsent before me, that the
services of this day differ widely from the
nsual performances Of this annual annivar-
sary. We meet in memory Of the dead
the brave, the heroic, 1.-THE patfios dead!t We
erect that Mopument-we carve upon it
names immortal-not so much to perpetuate
their names, but to hand down to posterity
their devotion to liberty.
The war through which VIC passed was not
. var for conquest No ambitious spirit
fixed his eye upon throne or stretched forth
his hand to seize scepter. He Who led the
nation through the cenaict walked the CAPT.
tai Of the reb eiiious States with the N eekness
Of lamb--sswith charity for all and malice
toward noneh
1t was war Tor liberty. Principles sit en-
throned above the conflict And while we
remember the fallen, and meet to-day to hal
low their memory, We say the achievement
WAS worthy the sacrifice. and the sacrifice
worthy Of the ,grandest results. Aud let me
here ask EllAt we have gained by the war
Eet any man look ut The degraded condition
Of this country before the war-the seorn Of
the uuiyerse-the contempt OF Ourselves
and tell me il we have gained nothing by the
war. A nation claiming the highest form Of
al -
human being. III chains Of the most appalling
degradation. And this in the face of the
declaration of unitersal freedoml Was it
not stain upon our gory-a spot upon our
sun "a dfmming Of National effulgence? But
now let the political astronomer bring the sun
within the range of his telescope, he finds no
.srot there. 1t is gone-washed away by the
blood OF those we commemorate To-day.
y What is our present position to-day? Re-
spectability and character abroad-s security
and4confidenoe It home. Is there man that
would obiterate from the proud pages of our
history the brilliant achievements of the past 7
Is there man who could not desire par
ticipation in the national glory acquired by
the war; Yes, national glory which how
ever the expression may be condemned BY
some must be cherished By every true patri-
OF. For the war carried the nation forward
along the line Of a pure civilization in four
years, farther than the tardy movements OF
political reformers bad reachedi in three quar-
tiers Of century.
] have said the war was war involving
great principles. The principles Of liberty
met upon the deld the principles of despot.
ism. The struggle vas struggle between q
Christian civilization and oppression. Upon
the side Of freedom your fathers, husbands
and brothers, took their position, and for ID
pfo~ L. 81 n. q
upoa theircopntry ssaltar. A noble pstriot-
il. Asatriotism tetere which tie bst.os-
iSmof Gn1ec4an Home fdo into iosigni6-
canoe. A love Of country sublfmesy rising
above all considerations, impelled them for.
ward to the conflict.
u bsdotldwhx 64ssssy 10 10 back to Mar
athon and Thermoplle for examples Of sStor.
We are writing to pay our tribute Of applause
to Leonidss Indeed the Spartan re q
chivalfy. Kvssy country and every axe Aaya
had their heroes. But no age equals tAe
present "A Grant, 10 Sherman, sheridan,
! stand forth incompafabl nrpassing III other
military leaders Of Ill preceding ages. The
s.les t1sy l sd enter not into ios
they fought and victories won place he am
les Of the Republic far above allth been
achieved IN the past. A nations wealth. and
nations glory is her history. And il istrue
that nations are pfouder Of their military
achievements than Of their triumpha Of gen;u I
aud learning. If then We are to be resnert-
ed for orr military success We may we'll ba
proud Of the past. Lexington and Yorktown
begin and close hestrugsls Of the revolution.
The war Of 1872 thed glory upon our No.
lions escateheon. The war with Mexico ex-
tended our possessions to the Pacific. But
the Rar II t8el-9-a4 and s, liflea the Re-
public tor plain OF civilization higher and
\ more 1iesiodssAaA y enjoyed By any Of he
analien1 tfrthss s1xh. Anid the throes 81
reyslstionJ n bond : perfect liberty. 4
the past BnnkeH Hill, Saratoga and York
town h1vS ~ th1ir Inspiration upon the ma
tion.A ~ tozdAy - catch the inspirations
from Donaldson, AntietAm, Psasidgs, VII
Aon's Creek, Champion Hills, Gettysburg,