Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-07-11

sary. but Notwithstanding all this, relying
on Divine Providence. they boldly plunged
into a contest with the most powerful
nation on earth. This required courage of
the highest order. and patriotism OF the
purest kind. The future was dark and
doubtful. aud they fully realized that the
chances were that the traitors doom would
be theirs.
After a long and bloody contest our
independence was achieved and acknowl-
edged. and we took our position among
nations of the earth.
In our revolutionary contest. we achieved
something more than our Independence
from the yoke of a foreign tyrant-some-
thing far nobler than that. In the Declar-
alton Of Independence the equality Of man
/. proclaimed. The sigDers OF that ini-
mortal document. declare A. self-evident
truths. that all men are created equal.
aud are endowed by their Creator with
certain inalienable rights. among these.
are life liberty and the pursuit OF happi-
ness" This was the platform upon which
our revolutionary fathers fought the battles
of the Revolution. They believed In the
rights and also in the capacity of the people
to govern themselves.
In nearly all the governments on earth,
the few enjoy grea, and exclusive privi-
the expense of the many. The lew are
born rulers, while the great mass of the
people are born to be ruled-to condition
OF setytnde, ignorance and degradation.
with few opportunities of lettering their
condition. In onr favored land we ac-
knowledge no rulers; we the people are
the soyereigns. and all our officials. from
the highest To the lowest-from the Presi-
dent to the humblest ofiice-holder In our
country. are our servants. Our able rep
resentative in Congress. Mr.. Hale, now
| present, Is not one of our rulers, but our
servant only. aud we exercise the right of
discharging these public servants when
ever we please. aud employing others in
their stead.
Although we had gained our independ.
ence. a great work still remained To he
! done-the formation of "A government on
the principles proclaimed In the Declara-
| ton of Independence. The belief In the
| capacity of the people 10 form aud main
/ tain a stable government. Was. at that
| time subject of derision among nearly
all the statesmen of Europe, and was re-
/ yarled with painful doubt aud uncertainty
| by many OF the most wise aud patriotic OF
our own countrymen.
| The American colonies. before the REQ
/ luton. were all independent OF each other,
as far a. their local legislation was con
cerned. Each had its own legislature and
made it, own laws, and In forming the
constitution OF the United States. the
( principle of local self-govcrument was
! carefully preserved. This has been the
source OF our permanency. and the uneN-
anpled prosperity. Capitalization will
lead to dcspotism. Let the rights OF the
States. and the principle OF self-governmcnl
+ be preserved. with no unconstitutional Ia
reference on the part of the General gov
erumcut, aud We could safely Increase our
territory aud extend our authority over
! the whole continent of America.
lie spoke of the changes which had
occurred since the last general celebration
OF our independence. IN this place twenty
| years ago. when he had the honor OF de
liycriug the address. Also the progtcs.
. at the Natiou--thc desolating aud icrrbl,
war OF the Rebellion, out OF which ON
+ country han come stronger than ever
The institution of slavery, that, like
cancer. was eating into the yirals OF III,
T Republic, and was a cause OF constant
irritation between the North and South
had been abolished. IL was regarded b,
all a. national cyil-and constantly ia
I crca>ing. hut human wisdom had be,.I
unable 10 devise a remedy. That SLAYER,
probably would never have been abulishct
except In the way it had becn-by revolu
ton aud bloodshed. That il was fortunat,
Tor The iutunc prosperity of our countr,
that this ioul stain on our institution. hat
been wiped out. That with thi, cause o
irritation removed, il We were true I,
ourselves. aud dnly appreciated the yalu,
Of the institutions bequcathed u, by ID,
founders OF thi, Republic. the prospec
before us n nation was more gloriou
than the Imagination could picture.
lie concluded in the language of Web
>ier al Bunker Eiill iihy-two years ago
Let our object be our Country. our who'll
touutr, itself become vast and splendid
monument, not OF oppression and terror
but by Wisdom. OF Peace. and OF Liberty
upon which the world may gaze with AL
miraiiou forever"