The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1870-07-16
GRAFTON
Delivered by Colonel J. w. Drew, at Mountain
City, Elko County, Nevada, July 4, 1870.

IL also ain an American, beautifully ex-
presses that deep feeling of atfectionate at.
tachment to his country which should glow in
the breast Of every citizen of our Republic.
We should be proud Of cur birthright, and
esteem the inheritance of our. civil and re-
ligious freedom as the richest legacy ever be-
queathed to any portion Of our race. Yet this
patriotism cannot originate in any childish
reverence for the venerable relics of antiquity
or in an admiration of the heroic achievements
and daring enterprises of noble ancestors.
Neither does the hope of conquest alone arouse
the ardent enthusiasm and inspire the devoted
attachment of the American to the institutions
OF his country. But we love our country be-
cause We are led, from the peculiar circum-
stances Of our origin and the distinctive char
acter of our progress, to cherish the soul
stirring thought that America is destined to
be the land
where Empires last and brightest throne shall rise
And Right aud Truth and Freedom greet the skies"
Westward the star of empire takes its way, 4"
and our land may still exist in undiminished
vigor and prosperity when the traveller from
New Zealand shall. in the midst of vast SOL
itude, take his stand OH broken arch of Lon
don bridge to sketch the ruins of ST. Paul's."
From the universal prevalence of this belief
and faith in our nations future arises the in
teresting inquiry, What is there in the char
acter OF our origin or the progress of our
Government marked and peculiar as to
awaken such high anticipations and encourage
us to hope for the permanency and prosperity
Of our institutions 20 The history Of former
governments admonishes us that a rapid de-
relopment Of strength and power in nations
youth affords no assurance of lasting vigor or
permanent prosperity.
The progressive advancement Of the ancient
republics to wealth and power has never been
Al
and art which Greece and Rome have trans
mitted to US, as relics of their glory, we shall
ever be proud to emulate. The patriotism and
intellectual superiority of their statesmen were
manifested i'll the beauty and grandeur of the
institutions which they originated. But, liv-
ing amidst the unbelief and intidelity of the
present day, we sometimes forget how much
We are indebted to the influence OF a liberal
and enlightened Christianity in the early days
of our Republic, rendering our present situa-
ton so vastly superior To that Of the nations
who have preceded us. To this influence are
Wa indebted for much that Ii glorious in our
present position and cheering in the character
of our future prospects.
The early settlement Of our country wit
messed new development of Christianity
Our ancestors convinced of the folly OF form
Rlism, resolved that no sacrifice was too great
to be made, no hardship too severe to be en-
countercd in contest for truth-thc great
truth that religion aud government the priest
aud the sovereign, should exist for the people,
and not the people for them. The same spirit
which, in the settlement OF America, formed
Church without "a Bishop. wIs deS'incd Ia
wax strong enough To form u State without IA
King. The energy. firmncss and moral cuur-
age Of the early settlers of New England, New
York and Virginia furnished tile materials
which the patriotic, devoted and sclf-sacriic-
ing spirits of the Revolution erected into Il
noble and enduring structure of society-a
Ia. Ff IIlFiN- ngi
In all its proportions, shedding IA lustre on our
whole national character. ..
To our fathers was entrusted n mighty work
tho foundation of our free institutions; but
TO us, their descendants, has been committed
the no loss important and responsible duty of
maintaining and perpetualing them. Com
mon experience teaches us that we should
cherish and defend possession Just in pro-
portion as We estimate it's worth; and while we
strive to estimate aright the value of our in
hertance, let MS ever cherish spirit of the
deepest grntitude and foiIdcst reverence for
those who have bequenthed to MS this invalu-
able legacy. Let us emulate the patriotism Of
the revolution and ever foster the deepest ven
Grafton and most sacred respect for the mem.
ory OF tho fathers of our country Eulogy is
vain; no language can do them justice.
"Gcnius for TIA has wrought;
Martyrs have braVely died midst food and nr,
And patriots gladly sought u
Within our souls fresh yalor to inspire.
"Thcir voice Is on il;c air,
They speak In every btocSc eioro'cr wo roam,
They bid us guard with caro-
The VIRTUES OF our country aud our homo.
"Thtir influence hils the past
win noble thoughts and generous deeds sublime
Nch lcEacics to last 4. '.s. ......r
From sire to son throughout all coming time.
"Thc present hour l. the.r's, 8. "a
or half our good are they tho primal cause;
Their struggles, hopes aud prayers
Have given 10 ua both liberty and laws. .
"Yes, they arc with us still
To elevate tho will
To soo'hO each grief and calm each idlo fear"
Yes, their example is ever before us. teach
ing us that the greatest obstacles may bo over
como--tho mighty effects of timo, faith ant
energy. Their spirit is over with us. incitul
us to chorish and defend tho glorious trus
committed to our charge; encouraging us tC
sustain that great cornor-stone OF our system
tho American Constitutions To preserve an in
Nolablc attachment to Tint great palladium "
our liberties, our National Union. ...r. ......,
Tho reading Of tho Declaration OF American
Independence, to which we have just listened
IL most peculiarly appropriate on tho return o.
our national anniversary; but there aro othc
key-notes OF American liberty which SHOULD
over DO Kept in remembrance, and TO which I
~ most hitting to revert on ovory occasion lik,
the present. Tho glowing words of Henry
Gus, Adams and other leading spirits of tha
great epoch which eliminated in tho rebellion
hgalnst the British Grown, can never bo for
gouen, for tho burning elnqucnoe of thoi
iervid patriotism has never been oqunlod.
aroused our ancestors TO the porils of the hou
to full and realizing sense of Tho tnnuni