The New York herald., 1869-07-05
The GiOrious Fourth.

On the 4th Of July, I776, the British North
American colonies south OF the St. Law
renee were declared to be tree and indepen-
dent States. There were thirteen Of them,
extending along the Atlantic coast down to
Georgia. Now there are thirty-seven States
and nine organized Territories, together with
the Indian country between Arkansas and
Texas, and last, but not least, Alaska, with its
four hundred aud eighty thousand
square mes-to say nothing Of string OF
islands stretching nearly across the Pacific
ocean. The flag that niuety-three years ago
both the Atlantic and the Pacific coasts, and
all the intermediate space, more than half OF
which was terra iascog,etta within the
memory of the living generation. 1t has re-
quired less than one hundred years for the
United States to expand to such vast proper
tons the area OF freedom and independence.
Manifest destiny indicates a still wider pros
pect of greatness aud glory. The present
year has witnessed the completion of the
Pacific Railroad, the Inauguration Of the laying
of the French cable, an extraordinary influx
of European and Asiatic immigration, and
startling development of energy in other in
strumentalites for extending the power OF the
Great Republic. Notwithstanding the myste-
rious policy of the United States government
in relation to Cuba, we have good reason to
expect that its annexation will soon be effected
by the very administration which has 30
promptly defeated the plans of fiibustering
vioators Of the neutrality laws. st Domingo
and Hayti must soon follow suit, and we do not
despair of seeing even Mexico annexed to the
United States. As for her Britannia Majestys
North American possessions, we rather think
that their annexation will depend on the final
decision of the Alabama claims. Meanwhile
we are in no hurry to have these claims settled.
We can well afford to bide our time.
Meanwhile, also, we can joyfully celebrate
to-day, the glorious Fourth (Which is the
fifth, iuasmuch as we have peace, or, at least,
the fairest prospects of peace. In this city the
ninety third anniversary Of the Declaration of
Independence will be commemorated by ring
ing OF bells and firing of cannon and display of
flags aud fine military parade in the morning,
the popping of innumerable re-crackers, to
the delight of the boys and to the annoyance
of everybody else, throughout the day, and by
dinners and speeches, Examinations and fire.
works, in the evening. Thousands of our
citizens win doubtless take advantage of the
national holiday to make pleasant excursions
in every direction out of town. The oppressive
heats which usually are coincident with this
date will not prevent "the day we celebrate
from being universally observed, alike in town
and country, with more enthusiasm than On any
previous occasion since the war of the rebel
lion began. Never before has the glorious
Fourth been celebrated at 80 many points on
80 widespread a territory as it will be to-day.
North, South, East and West, and even so far
off as in Alaska, it will be we'll remembered.
Nor will it be forgotten by any patriotic Amer
lean traveller, on land or at sea, in Europe,
Africa or Asia. Hurrah for the glorious
Fourth