The Van Buren press., 1869-07-13
Anniversaries.

hu.4AS Sd iSS,
From the earliest histories time to tht
present, people have delighted in ccle
brating great events that have occurred
IN fheir lives as nations, Great victories
returns of peace, freedom from bondage
or.sersdom, and many other momentous
events form periods in nations history,
that it is tit and proper to keep green N
IN. memory of those who live after them
ln. America The people have gloyiod in the
celebration Of the day designated as the
birth.day Of American Independence,
On the 9TH day OF Jaly, l176, in the Con-
grces of TIE Thirteen United States OF
america a declaration was unanimously
made. styled the Declaration OF Inde,
pendcncc. This contained many valuable
and vital truths Truths that are the
suhstrstum Of Free Government With,
out which there can be no free govern
nent Those grand truths having been
announced, facts were cited to prove
that Britain's King was endeavoring to
crush them TO earth and wipe them from
the memory Of the American people,
The existence Of those facts were deemed
ample and just cause for n separation
from the Mother Country, and the ques.
ton wss submitted to the arbitrament OF
the sword A long. bloody aud arduous
struggle terminated in victory for the
people Of America and the firm establish.
mcnt Of the truths contained in the fam
ous Declaration. One Of the most vital
Of these great principles Of free govern
ment, announced by those noble and true
lovers of free institutions, was that gov
crnmcnts "justly derive their powers
from the consent Of the governed. For
over eighsy-iive years this government
sped onward on tie path Of national
greatness and splendor. Then came the
civil war, Here was pause in our hither-
to upward and onward career. For four
years this war ragged and was ended
Then came the more important question
Of securing peace. Politicians who claim
cd to be familiar with the treatment Of
national disorder, began cutting. carving
and dosing, until all the evils laid at the
door of Great Britain in l77G by the Con
gress Of the thirteen States were perpc-
tratcd By the American people in Con
gress, upon their fellow-citzens After
all the military power was taken away,
it left behind its bitter fruits in the form
Of disfranchistments and infamous dis
abilities. We were told that we must
have peace, love for one another, and to
bring this about we must. many ofus, be
branded az felons were formerly. by be.
ing prevented from participating in the
choice OF our law makers and those who
were to enforce them. We were pro
nounced unfit to associate upon political
equality with our former slayes--and all
t'produce aJriendy Jeeliny We were
pronounced unit to share in the privi.
lcgcs OF our government, lut must aid.
by taxes, in paying for tie services Of
scallawags and men from abroad We
were pronounced unfit to be free in the
sense Of free American citizens Those
OF us who were willing to submit quietly
and honestly accept the situation, and be-
come supporters of the Federal Consti-
lution were thus branded and marked for
;nfany--whle those who foolishly abuse
carpet haggcrs and curse the government
iudiscrinnately are clothed with the
right OF suffrage, and are deemed safe
electors Now in view Of all these things
who can expect the people Of the South
TO participate in the celebration ofan an.
niyersary that must bring such bitter re-
fiections, and looks so much like moclory.
Let the people be all clothed In the full
garb Of American citizens, and the 4th
Of July will regain its signiGcance-at
present Il is asking q little too much.
For some squib in a former issue, we are
twitted with possessing desire to keep
UP an unfriendly feeling. THUS it has
been ever since the war ended. The pco
ple of the South must say nothing and
suffer all, while the people at Arlington
can look on unmovci, By guard being
placed around the graves Of Confederate
dead to prevent any stray flower from
escaping from the abundant store carried
to the Cemetery and finding resting
place upon one of those little mounds,
This Of course is perfectly consistent
with spirit Of amity.
tlI
EF Col. +. W. ScHAuKTIE, L. s. Mail
Inspector, leaves this morning, for Wash
ington aid Benton counties in this State
c,,d Missorri II will reni,irn n mci of