The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-05
public, but the hall was not uncomfortably filled,
though the heat was almost ntolerabe.

puphe, uus thC Hull was uOb uuCOuOTSdUly
though the heat was almost intolerable.
ADDRESS OF THE HON AUGUSTUS sCHELL.
Mr.. AUGUSTUS ScHELL said they were assembled
in this their great wigwam, according to the
usages ana customs Of their society," on this the
natal day OF America, to take general counsel on
those subjects which were OF great interest to
them and to the country. The history Of this
society from Its earliest period conformed with
that OF the constitutional government OF the
country, and the society had been In the habit on
each returning Fourth OF July OF meeting in the
Wigwam and taking counsel, and 80 wise had been
its counsel hitherto, and so discreet had been Its
action that through all the history of this
ment those counsels had been needed and its
actions had been concerned to by the whole people
OF this government II In times past it had been
proper for this society to call together the friends
OF civil and religious freedom no time was more
Within the last few years their aoyernment had been
ruled by corruption. Within the last few years
efforts had been made to concentrate all the
powers OF the State In the general government
During the last year that government by the strong
arm OF military power. had taken to itself the
rights OF an individual State. This government
had hitherto exercised Its powers for the good OF
the several States but It had thrown aside all
pretexts, and had by oayonets taken TO itself the
government OF Louisiana. IT, heretofore, it was
wise the society to meet and take counsel as to
the condition OF the country, he could say that no
views upon public questions. They were now as
sembled for that purpose and in the course OF the
day they would hear words OF wisdom from those
who were well quarl1ed TO utter them. Mr.. Schell
then called upon James o. Spencer to read
the Declaration OF Independence, coupling the re-
quest with the expression OF u wish that the audi
dence would give attention to the words contained
in the Declaration, 80 necessary now to be promul-
gated through the whole length and breadth OF the
land. (Cheers)
READING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
J. @. SPENCER IN an impressive and solemn
manner, read the Declaration or independence.
When he had finished reading the audience Cleerpd
enthusiastically.
The GIee Club sang 'The Star spanged Banner"
SPEECH OF HON. GARRISON N. POTTER.
Hon. CLARKsON n POTTER was then introduced
to the meeting by the chairman. He was loudly
able gentleman said they had assembled to celebrate
the nlnety-seventh declaration. OF American inde-
pendence. 1t was declaration sustained amid
great sufrerings and great trials The separation
OF America IRON Great Britain was thing that
was sure to come. And amid the possibilities OF
the future the invasion OF the country by england
was a thing not to be counted There was now
great prosperity In the nation. Roads, canals and
railways were being built The ships Of America
all this prosperity, was not there cause for alarm
Was there not q loss OF public virtue? Was there
not great punderng in public places and were not
heavy taxes imposed upon the taxpayersS The
adventurer and the scalawag took the place OF
men who had deep interest In the prosperity OF
the country. Rash adventures took the place Of
steady industry. Men were In hurry to be rich.
How lar it possible to remove these evils by q
change In the existing state OF Jhings9 The age
was not favorable lOr such change. Their fore
fathers had thoroughly considered the whole sab
Ject Of republican government, but men Of the
present day, hurried on by ambitious views, merely
looked ut forms OF government. The fathers OF the
Republic declared that government was for the
Of Tneyp declared tuSt
should De Tree from absolute power; they laid
down what the government should do and what it
should not do. They also held that government
should be localized. The fathers rebelled because
they knew that government in another country
eac ot shnno les
affairs. 1t would be great hardship If other men
were called In to govern their families. SO 1t was
could not deal with local transactions. The
fathers did right when they abolished primogeni-
ture and mortman; PANEL Webster said right
limitations OF government. Having referred to the
great expansion OF trade and travel in the United
States Mr.. Potter claimed that, IN consequence OF
many inventions and the vast trade OF the country,
1t was impossible that the fathers could have tor
arose under the State and federal systems were
and States rights men. But the rights
OF states were not OF much Importance, except in
Many democrats took the side OF the South, not
because they were IN favor OF slavery, but because
o the tights Of
trade was increased. intercourse between
people was extended and the telegraph brought
lion. He adverted to the war IN the South and the
changes in the constitution as tending to bring
about the present condition of affairs The demo,
ratio party had raised its voice in favor OF state
lights. What the people willed they would have.
Changes had been made In the constitution, as
thought, irreguarly They found themselves to-day
n the face OF a new situation. The present evils
resulted n S chiefly from special and private egsla
the country had at the time OF the Revolution.
Men, beginning with the primaries, got represen-
tatives to go to Albany, not to represent the
people, but the jobbers who sent them there. The
Legislature had sat thirty days its legitimate
time owing to the number of special bills before it,
There imOroVamanf i'm 10 nioIo tinv
until the Legislature was stripped of the power of
passing private special bills. With the power of
sure to come Another evil was the growth and
accumulation crd OF oicial patronage. To-day
as well as in Maryland, and he was thus able
to keep up this army OF ofice-holders to control
even the elections The best government was that
which gave avors to none, but equal justice to all.
corporations were great evils. And evils Of this
character could only be controlled by laws limiting
the operations OF power and restricting within
proper boundaries the power of great corporations
the dlh1culties IN government increased as the
numbers to be governed increased. 1t was proper
that the government which their fathers left for
the management OF thin and sparse population
should not be adapted to great and powerful peo-
pie. He knew that the people complained, and
he knew, too, that the only way OF stopping the
government was by limiting and localizIng the
power OF government. The honorable gentleman
in concluding his speech was loudly cheered.
Mr.. J. c. SPENCER read a letter OF apology from
Horatio Seymour, dated Utica July 2, regret
ting that he could not attend the celebration,
and saving that in common with their friends in
all parts or the Union he et deep interest in all
that concerned the welfare and prosperity of the
Society, and II at any time its history had been
stained by unworthy men their career was short
lived In comparison with its patriotic career
through many years (Cheers.l 1t would be a
public loss II the Society, embracing as 1t did dis
tinguished members should be allowed to lose any
Of its capacity for usefulness Or be perverted from
its proper purpose. Honest, heightened men must
take charge OF 1t and restore 1t to an hsnored po-
sition. 1t would be as unwise to abandon 1t be-
cause some Of the members have been negectful Of
their duty as TO neglect CITY, State and national
government because members OF those bodies had
been guilty of corruption. (Cheers)
There was telegram from Governor Walker, Of
Virginia, stating that he could not attend letter
from Richard Vaux, Of Philadelphia, stating
that they lived to-day under as great tyranny as
they did In the days OF any OF the Georges. He
gave them this sentmcnt:-
'GEORGE TIE THIRD AND GRANT THE FIRST;
overthrow the usurpattOns OF the latter, and then
thAy ,xo1