The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1870-07-07
ORATl0A BY HON. FRANK TiLF0RD,
Delivered I'm Hamilton, New, July
4ftl 1910.


Delivered I'm Hamilton, New, July
4th, 1870.
This day, ninety-four years ago, the
representatives of three millions of peo-
ple declared the Independence of the
United States of America, and claimed
for them an equal station among the
free nations of the eighteenth century.
Never, since the star of the promised
Messiah arose in cloudless splendor
above the plains of Bethlehem, had a
more auspcious light ilumined the
darkness OF the centuries than then
shone on the distant verge of the west
ern horizon. Yet. from the cities and
kingdoms Of Europe there came across
the wide Atlantic no words of cheer or
yoics of welcome to hail the young Re
public, whose natal hour had been an
nounced on the shores and amid the
primeval forests of the New World. No
sage nor seer fortold the future glories of
the rising empire. Its wondrous tri-
umphs were reserved for the revelations
of time. Time has indeed vindicated
the truth of the sublime principles which
our fathers proclaimed and attested the
wisdom of the revolution which their
act inaugurated. The scene in which we
now participate, is one of the most
startling results of that revolution. Who
of the signers of the Declaration; who
of the statesmen of that period, not en-
dowed with the vision Of prophecy, could
have dreamed that. at this hour, on the
mountains of desert, then constituting
n portion of the Spanish dominions,
thousands of freemen would celebrate
the anniversary of American Independ-
ence? II is gratifying to reflect that not
= I,,N wll Il
distant lands, throughout the civilized
world, yea in any cline where liberty
finds n worshiper. this day will be hon
ored with appropriate rites. and solemn
festivities. Beneath the skies of Alaska,
along the shores of the Pacific, amid the
cities of the Atlantic, and in the capital
of every State, from the st. Croix to the
Rio Grande, millions Of voices will unite
in the grand and harmonious anthem Of
freedom. The loyal hearts of a gallant
nation will throb with rapture as they
behold that emblem Of nationality, aud
symbol of liberty. tho starry banner Of
the American Union.
All the indications admonish us that
we live in n period Of transition. He
who ascends the mountains which divide
the sterile plains Of Nevada from the
gold fields of California, will attain an
emineuce where the waters falling from
the clouds sever in their course-some
gliding to the deserts Of the east others
rolling, In silvery bands, towards the re-
gions of the setting sun until they min
gle forever with the blue waves Of the
central ocean.
The mountain streams do not indicate
more surely to the obseryant traveller his
passage over the lofty SUBMITS Of the
Sierra, than the events of every passing
hour warn the American people that they
are entering on the duties and respon-
sibilities of new era in their history.
From the eminence We occupy, let us
look back TO the domains Of an irrevoea-
bic past, not TO indulge in vain regrets
or muse over the ruins OF institutions
which have perished but for informa-
ton to enlighten our judgments as we
approach the realms of the illimtable
future. We need not resort to the vol
umes of ancient times or seek in the an
nails of other lands the instructive lessons
which our own history affords Anti
quity, indeed, comes to us adorned with
the fascination of tradition and fable.
We are accustomed to regard the infant
days of the world with peculiar venera-
ton. The walls of lion have mingled
with the dust of ages. and the sacred
fires no longer glow in the Temple of
Yesta, yet around the shores of the
Hellespont and the banks of the Tiber
the genius of poetry has cast splendor
purely ideal, but not the less immortal.
But brighter than the dreams Of the
Greek, more stately than the fancies of
the Roman, is the authentic history of
our own Country during the ninety four
years that have interyened- since the
Declaration of independence The con-
fiicts of the revolution, commencing ON
the streets Of Lexington, and closing IN
victory upon the plains of Yorktown,
the confederation of the States, the
adoption of the Constitution, the sue
cessive Administrations Of sixteen Presi-
dents, and the war of the rebellion open
ing with the secession Of South Carolina,
and terminating with the surrender or
dispersion Of the Southern armies, CON
stitute series of splendid events more
impressive in their character, more i'm
posing to the imagination, and infinitely
more important to the civilized world
than all the traditions which cluster
around the ruined columns or monlder-
ing temples of antiquity. There is in
the eventful history of our Country a
aprofound and instructive moral.
tion which has ranked among the gov
erning powers of earth, or stamped upon
the ages the impress of its own peculiar
civilization, we shall discover the in
nuenoe of an all-pervading principle of
action. In every such history we dis
cover design unmistakable in charac
tor and almost as constant and immuta-
Die In operation as the laws that govern
the orbits of our planetary system.
Thus, Spain for centuries aspred to
terrltoria! aggrandizement, until her ac-
quisitions grdlod the Globe, and the de-
crees Of the Castiian Court, under
Charles the Fifth. controlled domain
more extensive than the possessions of
cesar or Charlemaigne. In the course
OF france we behold a passion for mar
uai renown, and love OF excitement
acting on gallant and impulsive nation.
NO matter whether Bourbon, n Robe
splerre, or Napoleon, welded the scep-
ue OF power; whether the Government
was monarchial, revolutionary, or i'm
Pe'ai, The people have always olamored
.1' % glory. and demanded the excitement
ar Inc broad principle which underlies
ny no structure of American government,
AZ "anliests n vigorous power in all
40 movements of the people, is one
Ill" taI;,' with time, and instinct with vi
my, when our fathers proclaimed
a' all men are created equal; that
.ney are endowed by their Creator with
certain inalienable rights; that among
,uem are life, liberty, ard the pursuit Of
h"Ppiness, they only spoke in obedience