Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-07-25
q r. AT III
Delivered by Prof. w B. Clarke, at
Patch Grove, July A, 1871.

Mr.. Chairman ant Feiio,o- Citizens:
We celebrate to-day the niaety-ffth
anniversary Of our national ndepen-
dence. Year after year have the peo-
pie Of this favored land thus assem-
bled, and with each recurring occa-
sion found new cause for congratula-
ton, pride, and wonder in the results
whose beginnings centre in that day
Of anxiety and gloom, the 4th of Ju-
ly l776. This day is singular in
American history. No other nation
can point to one day alone az decis-
i've of its destiny. The liberty Of the
mother country was acknowledged
as the hard-won laurels of a constant
warfare from the time of Caesar to
the 18th of February at Runny Meade.
But the results OF single day wit
messed the birth Of our liberties
The destinies Of the future Republic
hung npon the pen Of Jefferson as in
the quiet of his study in New York
be framed the immortal bill which
has been read in your hearing to-day,
and which trembled on the eloquent
lips Of Adams as he announced to the
Continental Congress the sublime de-
termintion to which the coIonists had
come. 1t was daring experiment,
but the result vindicated the wisdom
of the measure.
The fate of the Declaration which
the despised colonists dared in their
extremity to hurl at the foot of the
British throne was submitted to the
stern tribunal of war. If maintained,
America was free, and the principles
Of the Purtans vindioated ; if defeat
ed, the light of republican liberty
was once more eytinguished, and
the colonies remanded to a condition
worse than before. The Inspirations
Of those early patriots were not at
fault, After seven years of warfare,
which, in earnest, persistent hope,
in romance and daring, is unparallel-
ed in history, the field was won, the
the declaration made a reality, and
the future of the great empire, whose
power and growth we in wonder con.
template to day, securely established.
As we reflect upon the events of
that memorable day, the extraordi~
nary Circumstances in which chat dec
lation was promulgated, the mighty
issues wrapt up in its fate, the slight
thread by which the life Of the young
nation was suspended, we get some
faint idea Of the wisdom, foresight,
and god-like faith which controlled
the deliberations of that band of pat
riots by whose counsels this liberty
of ours was asserted, and by whose
heroism it was maintained. 1t is as
sociations such as these that give this
day its abiding interest. 1t is day
when the whole people, from
the rugged hills Of New Eng
land, where our liberties were Graz
died, yielding now, it may be, to the
rising genius of the New West"
but still revered and loved for the
sacred memories that cluster round
it; where were fought the unequal>
led battles of the Revolution-the
Pharsalias and Philippians of our lib
erty from the sunny plains of the
South, newly risen to the true digni-
~ of the Republic, with the stain of
human bondage, at once its glory
and It's ruin, in blood washed out for
ever, with three millions of its people,
thanks to the last and best amend
ment to the constitution, now cele-
brating this day with us, not only
as freemen but as citizens and from
the fertile valleys of the West, not
many years ago an unpeopled DESC
lation. now a beautiful garden teem-
ing with an enterprising and enlight-
ened citizenship. Tho day above all
others when every citizen, prospect
i've of birth or race or color, forget.
ting every party feeling or unworthy
prejudice, is drawn with one heart
and full accord to join in general
thanksgiving for the blessings of our
priceless liberty. This day shall not
lose its freshness so long as its tradi
tons are given to posterity it will
not cease to be attractive so long as
liberty is a boon to be desired and
it will not lose its value so long as il
affords so happy an opportunity for
the people TO take counsel together
upon the obligations OF the present
and the responsibilities of the future.
1t would not be Improbable on
this occasion 10 view in detail the
history of the past, pregnant as it is
in exhibitions of consummate states.
manship, wise legislation, patriotic
example; to dwell at length on its
glorious victories on field and food
the revolution the tribulations and
struggles in which the union of these
states was perpetuated to marshal