Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-07-11
Remarks Of Hon. Eugene Hale at Han
cock Hall July 4th.

Mr.. Hale began by saying that il was
speech. from the many thoughts. consider
ation-. and facts that crowd upon the mind
at such time. The people have come to-
getIcr TO celebrate our Nations birthday,
which filled him. and no doubt wells up In
every heart. at such a time as this. and
under such favorable circumst ances-is
that oi gratitude. as there has never been
time il seems 10 me, when North. South.
East and West. ever had so much cause
for gratitude. There l. no such country
in the wide world. All other countries
are centuries behind Us In all that goes TO
make people happy and prosperous.
Europe, Asia and Africa are behind u !.
aud even Europe. with all her boasts OF
freedom j. ruled, in the main. By monarchs.
Her centuries of civilization and of culture.
with the experience OF tn e past with which
TO guide her TO better WAYS in government.
still Lays behind.
The other European States. are di>or-
gained. broken up and In a chaotic state.
while our country numbers 10000. 900 Of
people. with not slave in all the land
Under such a happy condition of affairs.
do we come up here 10 worship at the altar
of the Nation. to shake hands. aud To bless
Goa. We commenced IRON an humble
beginning scarcely 10000 Of people
scattered over broad AMI new land, with
no rapid means OF communication a now
delights our eyes.-at such time and under
such adverse circumstances, did our fathers
set their busy hands and heads 10 work to
solve a new and a grand problem Ia the
theory Of government. The work con-
menced under such unfavorable circum-
stances. to human vision,-so novel and
so dangerous In execution, was carried out
by our fathers, and to-day we witness the
grand result of less than a century's work
of hardening and of ripening of -
institutions. l see before me. said the
speaker, those who GO years ago assisted
to celebrate on an occasion like this. the
Nations birthday. These aged men have
witnessed the growth of Ellsworth in all
these long years, with pride and satisfac-
ton. And our growth is but a type OF the
growth of the nation.
The speaker alluded to the War lSl2-'l5.
of the one with Mexico, in which our
armies marched triumphantly from victory
to victory to the rebellion aud its lessons.
The natural result of all these trials. is to
eliminate from the American character. the
5raggart spirit which characterized us as
people at one time. We are becoming
soberer, more thoughtful. and more
rational people. In a word we are better
for the severe trials laid upon US. AT one
time it was predicted that our prosperity
was the sign of our downfall. We were
becoming proud and wealthy. We threaten
ed Cuba, "Fillibustering was the order
of the day, and Slavery the dominant
power in the land" The world looked on
and was doubtful. Then came the re.
bellion, and the thought was what would
be the response of the people, in this the
nations utmost stress and distress. Then,
the public heart as it proved, had not been
corrupted by prosperity, for the loyal
Democrats and Republicans struck hands
and rallied for the flag. The condition n
the country was portrayed, in an earnest
and eloquent manner. Yet after the con-
quest the nation stood ready to show its
strength and its power by showing mercy.
There is no encrOachment on the rights of.
or overshadewing Of the States BY .
central power.