Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1870-07-13

lands hand was reacneu lorIh w
seize and govern tho fair possessions
which were the fruit Of 80 much
toll and sacrifice. Then it was she
claimed what had been 50 gallantly
won. Governors, appointed in
England, were sent to rule them,
and it was not long until the indus
try and thrift of the colonies were
taxed to support her home govern,
ment. English troops, commanded
by English officers, were quartercd
upon them. Taxation was enforced,
and representation denied. And
then followed the long list of wrongs
and grievances which were so clear
Iy and truly stated in the Doclara-
ton of independence. Every other
means had failed. ExpostuIatiOn,
entreaty, argument, and reason had
been tried. There was nothing left
them but the ''wager of battle"
Was the cause trivial2 1t was
for liberty and right they unshoath.
ed the sword, and riskCd their all
in the unequal strife. 1t was their
cause, the principles for which they
fought, that gave the glory to their
struggle. ThOy were men OF far
seeing wisdom. They knew that
from such covert, and apparently
insignificant attacks liberty had
ever fallen. They feared not a bold
and open attack upon their liberties,
but they dreaded, with just appre'
hension, these silent and stealthy
encroachments upon their rights
They exhausted every peacable
means of defense, and the verdict Of
history, and the universal acclaim
of mankind, has justified their ro-
sort to the sword.
Tho struggle began. The thir-
teen colonies, without an army,
withouta navy, without money, the
sinews of war, with a weak and in
efficient government, united only
by their common wrongs and com
mon sufferings, rallied to arms in
the sacred cause of liberty against
the mightiest power in the world.
Relying on the justice Of their cause,
with faith in an Advise Providence,
and remembering that the race was
not always to tho swift, or the bat
tie to the strong they arrayed their
puny forces against armies, power
full in discipline and overwhelming
in numbers, against Generals world
renowned for their military genius
and skill, against a Navy which
had given TO England the proud
title of mistress Of the seas, and
against almost inexhaustiblc means
and appliances of warfare.
Then camo the assembling of the
men wi o wisdom Ehad foreseen tho
inevitable necessity of the struggle,
and who had pledged their lives,
their fortune, and their sacred hon.
ors TO the cause Of freedom. On the
4th day Of July, 1776, they publish,
cd TO the world the Declaration OF
the independence of the American
Colonies, The struggle had com.
menced, but this was the birth day
Of American independence.
/ need not dwell on that doc.
nment so justly renowned for its
wisdom, its moderation; and its
truth, 1t was the work of an as
semb'y which, for craftsmanship,
for patriotism, and for integrity has
never been surpassed, They fore.
saw the magnitude OF the undertake
ing, and the Importance Of its re-
suits. TO sustain it many of them
laid down their lives. From it have
flowed all the blessings which we as
a people enjoy, They conquered
in the force and exhausting strug-
gle. 1t ended at Yorktown Hhe
ball of the revolution rested in the
same State where it received its
first impulse" Engl0ndrccognized
our independence, and tho great
work was consumatcd.
Many years since then have pass.
ed, and for what arc We this day
assembled in this beautiful grove,
which, planted by no hand of man,
shelters us in its grateful shade?
Certainly it is our intention to on.
joy ourselves; gray-hairod ago,
stalwart manhood, motherly and
matronl y womanhood, bright, bouy.
ant, and beaming youth, and bud.
ding girlhood, have intcrmittod tho
every day cares and occupations of
their lives, and have horC gathered
into one great social and patriotic
Convention. The laugh, and pleas.
ant jest and social converse will
draw out the latent social suscepti.
bilities which daily cares have we'll
nigh ovcrlaid and deadcned; and
this fiery sun will sink into the
glowing west, over, | trust, as hap.
py hearted throng as every flow
ed together from the hills and val
leys Of Vinton.
All this would DO pleasant and
enjoyable even if there wero no
moreof it; if it stood alone; if there
wos nothing beneath tho smiling
surface. A day of social enjoyment,
from the monotonous cares
of a busy life, would bo q whole.
some Alternative, rcviviug and invig.
Grating the relaxed and wasted en-
orgies of many; would Tighten tho
weight that dcadeuS tho elasticity
Of the springs Of life.
But such Indulgence Is not m American
'haracterlstlc. No people give so little TO So
'iabilityi no other people have 10 few Cos. |
ivals. What then IL the meaning of this low.
III gathering? and why Is IL at this times-Sn
his day--this particular day Of ali the days of
he ycar-this ith Of July Of this, and every re. |