The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1871-07-20
Patriotic Letter

Among the many patriotic letters
read at the celebration of the Fourth
of July by the .Tammany Society of
New York, was the following from.
John Q. Adams, which we copy from
the published proceedings:
QUINCY, June 80, 1871. s.
William II. IUeed, Grand .Sachen::
DEAR SIR am sorry to be unable
to join the TammanY Society in cele-
brating the anniversary of the Dec
laration of Independence. But per-
NIT me to say in response to the re-
quest for some written expression of
counsel, that although the stress of an
evil season may seem to have imposed
upon one of the political parties alone
" the exclusive mission to preserve
veneration for the Constitution and
the memory of its founders must
vet refuse to remember the fact upon
the Fourth of July. ] cannot celebrate
that day as a Democrat, nor invoke
the memory of the fathers as parti-
san. On that day / am a citizen of
the United States, and during that day
I will not permit myself to think that
any heir of the heritage devised by
the Declaration can barter his birth
right for political pottages. For those
few hours, at least, choose to dwell
upon the conflict of fundamental prin-
ciples which preceded all struggles of
party policy among US. i love to lin
ger q little upon the beautiful features
of our political system = fair and
young they were defaced by
passion and distorted by disease. /
would dedicate the time to studying
the public virtue which made union,
self-government, and independence
possible for our fathers, and to
Strengthening those affections which
can alone make them stable for their
children. .sss.,557
The Union which was formed to cast
off foreign yoke and repel external
aggression is now imperilled by pet
ty malice which seeks to indurate and
fix the hateful passions of civil war
into q habit of government. It has
unhappily become the interest of
faction to blow the dying embers of
strife, and to revive the fading memo
ries of frat dissension. But the
day we celebrate teaches us lesson
most solemn and impressive upon the
duty of, consession, self-sacrifce, and
mutual charity for. the sake of union.
For our part, let us remember to-day
that the srebelsD are of the same blood
with us, and must be made of one
heart with us, it we are to remain one
people and to remain free. We cannot
long be held together by force, or uni
ted only by . common and deathless
hate. =, rfs.5,.4s..s e,rss.<.s
Nor is it less needful at this time of
contempt for constitution safeguards
and abandonment of the most cher
ished charter of personal freedom, to
revive the jealous spirit of revolution
airy liberty which animated the oppo-
sitfon of jefferson, and which, no peo-
pie which means to be free, can ever
suffer to slumber or sleep. 1t is nee
essary to bring home to the awakened
senses of the people that this union
was a voluntary association of inde-
pendent States to secure the life, lib
erty, and happiness of all, and that it
must be so again TO retain their rights.
The real meaning and practical value
of the old declaration would seem
more than ever to require enforcement
unless men have forgotten that it an
nounces that governments derive
their just powers from the consent of
the governed" fsag.:Ie..f -.
And, at the same time, let us have
our veneration for the memories which
the day recalls, and vindicate our de-
votion to the precepts and example of
the founders by faithful observance
of the broad and catholic spirit of a
common nationality by which alone
the United States achieved and hold
their, equal and Independent station
among the nations of the earth. 49,
In q word, let us cherish to-day q
kindness as comprehensive, as the Un-
ion, a love of local self-government as
sturdy as the foundations of the States,
and q fealty to the destiny of the Re-
public, single and steadfast. ...s@e.
- Very respectfully your obedient
servant, 10 5ass JOHN Q. ADAMS.