Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1875-04-29
One Hundred Years Ago.

equal rights and civil liberty on the
American Continent. On that day
the soil OF Lexington and Concord
was Redeemed by the blood of patriots
to initiate the maintenance of those
great principles, upon which rests the
whole fabric of Republican govern
ment Those red stains have long
since faded away, but the red spot
remains in the hearts of great ma
ton, sinks deeper and grows brighter
by time, until the history of that day
has formed an epoch never to be for
gotten, and has sanctified soil which
will ever remain hall owed ground.
Less than one century ago, on the
10th day of May, 1775, the second
Continental Congress of North Ameri-
ca assembled at Philadelphia, ard on
that same day was captured T'icon-
deroga by Ethan Allen, in the name
of the Great Jehovah and the Con-
tinental Congress. The country
for which he fought was without q
name. The principle was freedom
from oppression snd no title was Civ
en- to the men arrayed against the
King until that congress, on the 18th
day of June, 1775, decided to raise
an army of twenty thousand men,
and elected George Washington COM
mander in chief of "the forces raised
or TO BIO raised in defence of American
liberties l."
The history of that glorious strug.
gle commencing on the 10Th day of
April, 1775, at Lexington, and ending
on the 10Th day of October, 1871, at
Yorktown, is familiar to every Anne
can citizen. The tolls, privations,
and hardships suffered and the patri-
otto blood shed during that long war
fare, have been oft recited, but can
never be realized. Who ia not famil-
lar with the Declaration of Indepen-
dance? Who is not well read in the
history of the men who framed and
signed that instrument, and who
sealed it with their blood? The spirit
of youth enlivened their counsels:
the nerve and strength of manhood
gave solidity to their actions and
gravity of age added sanctity to their
character. They met to deliberate
over wrongs and expressions innu-
merable, and the rights of nature
violated. They pledged "thei- lives.
their fortunes and their sacred hon.
ors' that they might transmit to us
their children the blessings OF
civil and religious freedom
Within the past century the thir-
teen little colonies have grown into
States and Territories vast in extent,
rich in commerce and agriculture
and unsu passed in the arts, sciences
and character by any nation on the
whole habitable globe. The ships of
the United States of America sail on
every sea, the national Flag is saluted
and respected in every Port, and the
declaration Il am an American
citizen" is a passport and protection
throughout the whole civilized world
The number of inhabitants has more
than decimslly increased and our
wealth has more than kept pace with
the increase of our people. -
For all this national pros sFity.
wealth and power, we look back upon
the declaration of rights of 1776, as
the foundation stone upon which the
whole national perstructure rests
and by which it must be forever sus.
tanned. Let il be we'll rememb ered
then by every American citizen that
on the 4th day of July 1876, one
hundred years shall have elapsed
since that foundation was laid-and
that it is not only his duty but will
be his glorious privilege to forward
and participate in the greatest gath
ering and the grandest jubilee that
was ever witnessed. Let every one
strive to make the gathering worthy
of its origin. That in Philadelphia,
where one hundred years before, men
under bonds proclaimed Liberty to
the oppressed. now millions of free
men are ready to assemble and ex-
hibit it to the world, the evidences of
their freedom and the fruits of their
prospesity and wealth. Let an in
vitation be cordielly and universally
ex' ended beyond he seas, so that all
nations, kindred and tongues may, if
they will, participate with US, in
united and universal rejoicings over
the centennial return of the day Of a
nations redemption; the Birthday of
American Freedom. Such celebra-
tons well attended, will greatly add
to our credit and honor abroad, and
will perpetuate our national institu-
tions.
m-W What on eventful m 9nth, April!
Lexington and Concord fight in the