The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1875-07-03
The Fourth.

With all its hallowed associations,
once more we are called upon to cee-
brate the Birthday Of Anerlcen Liber-
tyi Above all others this day is hon
ored and remembered by every man
worthy the name OF an American citi.
zen, with that depth of feeling only
known to him who can appreciate the
sacrifices made to secure the triumph of
democratic principles. Ninety.nine
years have passed since the Old State
House Bell of Philadelphia in grand
and solemn tones proclaimed "Liberty
to all the nations" and yet it seems as
II its vibrations have just ceased to fall
upon the ear, so quickly does the wheel
of time revolve. On the Fourth of July,
1776, who is there that cannot picture
before his mind the noble band of patri-
OTIS who gathered beneath the dome of
that almost sacred edifice where the old
bell pealed forth her enchanting strains,
to hear the DECLARATION that "all
men are born free and equal" and
that life, fortune and honor were
pledged to secure the right of slef-goy-
ernment
In no other land had snch principles
been cOntended for in no other coun-
try could they have been maintained !;
in any other cline long ere this would
they have died. They were born Of
necessity, not ambition +; they were ngr-
tured by the love of LIBERTY, and
strengthened by that reverence for and
reliance on HIM, who has thus far
guided the nation to unexpected pros
perity. Therefore, great indeed are
the responsibilities falling upon all and
each of us who exercise the blood
bought privileges of an American citi-
zen 1t is our duty to guard and pres
serve in its purity that system which
has broken the sceptre of King, and
elevate man from the menial condition
ofa subject to that of sovereign of the
land. But how shall the fame and
glory of our instltutions be perpetual
ed ? Simply by the firing of cannon,
pyrotecnie display, and eloquent ora,
tions3 BY military and civil demono-
strations, and the formal recital of the
uEdying Declaration No. All these
though springirg from a sense of graft
tude to those whose giant intellect and
fidelity to the principles which made
them our Noble Sires, only point to the
''day we celebrate, 'on which the child
of Freedom was born. All this is but
an echo of the past; the present and
the future demand something more than
cessation from tabor, Qualifications, and
bonfres.
The very existence and power of the
Nation lies within the ballot and its
proper exercise and he who fails to
use it with view to continue down to
the latest posterity the blessing he has
Inherited, and which are placed in his
keeping by the Fathers fthe Revolu-
ton, is as much traitor to the cause
of American Liberty, as ARNOLD (that
hated wretch) was to that of the In
dependence of the Colonies Pardon
us, ye artful demagogues, when we
aver that the destiny of that beautiful
edifce which still bears the impress OF
Washington, Adams, Hancock and
Jefferson, is in danger, because of the
decentralization with which the right oi
suffrage has become surrounded. Nc
louger do we stand in danger of con.
quest from foreign foe but there /.
viper nesting in the bosom of the
land, stealthy and death dealing enc
my, more to be feared than all invad-
ing hosts from abroad. That insidiou.
foe is political corruption
But we need NOT dwell on the darF
side of the picture, for the spirit of Il
still liYes. Political factions may
trampie it under foot, foreign influence
inside of parties may stine it for time
but when the depths of patriotism arr
once stirred, and the prerogatives o
the masses menaced, like thunder.
bold it will break forth through tn,
darkest clouds and speak with powe
that cannot be crushed. Let us. there
fore, thank the Great Ruler of event
for what he has granted us, and so con
duct ourselves, as FFeemen deserving
the rights and privileges conferre,
upon us BY the Authors of our liberties
that generation after generation ma,
look back through The slow course o
centuries ae they roll along, with prou,
remembrance of that glorious day tn
FOURTH OF July, 1776