Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-07-05
An GRAFTON,
! remain, &c
Don QCIyoTE
Delivered at Montpelier, Jaly ilh, ls7l

Z F.
Mr. President and tcllolo citizens
Ninety-five years ago Tomorrow John
Adams wrote to friend as follows
" Yesterday the greatest question was de-
cded that was ever debated in America and
greater, perhaps, never was or will be de
cded by men A resolution was passed,
without one dissenting colony, that these
United States are, and of right ought to be,
free and Independent States The day is
passed. The Fourth Of July, .776, will he
a memorable epoch in the history of Ameri-
ca. am apt to believe it will be celebrated
by succeeding generations as the great ami
versary festival 1t ought to be commcm-
GRATED as the day of delIyerancc by solemn
acts of devotion to Almighty God 1t ought
to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games,
sports, gans, bells, bontires, and illumina-
items, from one end Of the continent To the
other. from this time forward. forever. You
will think me transported with enthusiasm,
but | I'M not. am well aware Of the toll.
and blood and treasure that it VIII cost to
maintain this declaration and support and
defend these States yet, through all the
gloom, ! can see the rays Of light and glory.
| can see that the end is worth more than all
means.
How graadly has this prophecy been full
filled and how literally we to-day follow the
great statesman 5 programme Of the celebra-
ton Almost a century has passed. en-
bracing in its arms three generations IF the
piping times Of peace, and bearing upon
its shoulders, greater, grander, more Immc-
date and more thrilling events of war than
any that resulted from the Declaration ~
events in which millions who celebrate today
were Themselves actors-and vet, peace has
not smOthcred nor war 0hscurcd the patriotic
fires that burn upon the Nations Aunivcr-
sary Day and 50 long as America she'll nJt
torsake the principles with which she Il led
her infant sails, so long viii her youth learn
patriotism IN torpedoes, her masses daty IN
the roar Of guns, and So long viii her tottcr-
ing veterans sally forth from their happy
hills to warm their old hearts with the sound
Of fife and drum and with glmr>cS ot the
old flag which remind them oil past and gIl-
rious days. The day is eloquent with all
that makes people great IAc time WAS
when Americans celebrated only the eerlrl-
ton from old Elgland by ana hv -hev lc-
gan to commemorate the laying ID aur
country corner stone little later thew
learned 70 gloriy the principles which made
nation free and great and strong, later
still they relOiced when the same principles
emancIpated a race, and to-day the great
language Of all this noble Past l- us that
we but pause upon the threshold IF thar per-
iccted. and, VIC trust. enduring realm. where
none who think shall he governed without
consent, and where Liberty and Law and
Peace and Strength shall walk hand Id band,
each the other perfect counterpart.
We will not recount to-day the Gauss that
superinduced this Declaration have
been often told-but "e viii Inquire a- f.-t
we may
WHAT DID THE DECLARATION nsAN'
As a mere public measure. IT'S EXPRESSION
was broader than its intent. tIr while thc
Congress sought only t. ab-olyc the colonies
from political relations To Great Britain. and
gave, out OF 81 a decent regard T. tho opinions
Of mankind, such potent rca-. us MS i'm
PEELED them to that course tile Gny,r of III
unseen Providence guided tile pen. made
those reasons authority for urIreamIr-0f and
equally sublime events. and as II fra guide
to all the cropping nations Of the earth, lifted
their Declaration above the darkness III DID,
preston and bore II onward ike pillar ai
cloud by day and pillar OF fire ~ night.
1t meant not only national independence .ut
Individual freedom not only liberty TOR
Americans but for every vrtuuu- people who
dared themselves To STRIKE the blow. !. lc-
came the anImatiug principle %. our govern
mcnt the soul OF chat existence ui which
the laws and constitution are T. bYIy-luI
II a-tonished the ears oi d.-r9t- with
clarion note which echoes ami r,-ee.Yr- -till
BY an Indictment uuczamll,d In tie So rlI
it gave the lac t. that obi maxim tart +. tuc
KING can do no wrong. by au aa-umr tiau
new To hege as well a. lord, itaruusei Europe
Ike Il strange voice upon the start .ca a- ni
night with the doctrine OF consent, a-i Hy "a
prescience which reads now almost Ike M
epIratlon, It taught the equality In rights OF
all mankind and babe our own people T. l-r
their bond % free. It meant all tti- and
mems still. CIrpum%crfbe a. Won ra .rnr.
1t Is as Ooundless as God s. law OF love Deny
it you Will not, for 1t IS charming as lalr
Truth herself. Abrdsc II y9u dare not, FOR
on ITS SOLID vantage ground the poorest tltl-
zen OF the weakest woman Will shake your
partality like Bel-hazzer'5 throne For ali
to all, it marches on
.. To fair creations ftrthe-t bound
alt n'llns ,ulnnl'H- yer snail 7"H0
Ana 10 tGeir center e.trtI,.. ,i,t ,.
But the Declaration meant ,n.,,o tb.n +,
dependcnce. more than eoual,rv n ,,c,r+
..,
~ p
me id'neIs hau oofhe repeated Insults,
auI'u ~ l",U |ccuhiuldtIhS wrongs huJl
~ ~ - 'lil'o 'itN oe''90l " nc a virtue Iheic
-. 49,, -. 49, "a - 13"l1''s '''1
.nt;I;.r. y .L - T, 'li"' III 17I''-
.iii o"9"'u' 'i' idhu "hich con-
ueIieu Ie9i lance anu uiu not scofh % hex the
NAM 'haL puIueheu Il WIN woes BUT TINS
iii iIi''= 'o0Sih uIo"Heu every dissenting
80 "iit' 80 10y sI'i"aI' arm, Coh-
oo'0c' " '"0lI o"n M1dAie9s Iu4 Iheir en-
eniy strehSth, ana with only confident
rellahce on Tue Nod ol justice lof support, II
wa no n.L la-0 .Il i9l Ilose men u pledge 10
80 .ad - 1..e'I ioi'.'ugs ana
80 nonDt III "a ol thlS dellar-
=; III anu .iio ueioliS9 % tLt7e states pn5
- .nI a. u tuI9 u'gLSi'J 1hey
uul ulcu ouI siBdhI'c strength Inc Amer
t, oo,nr, doc W. =" VI necessity
Iol common deiehse.