The Van Buren press., 1876-07-04

er country. Washington said: " hen
first took command of the army (July },
l775) ! abhored the idea of independ.
ence; but am now fully convinced that
nothing else will save u.s. We have
only to mediate upon such sentiments as
these to be able to understand the din.
cuties which environed these men in
their efforts to school tie minds of the
American people for the "declaratiou
Of independence" which they subse-
1ueatly made Theirs was a noble task.
and we, to-day, enjoy the free air, the
glorious sunshine, as the result Of their
noble heroism aud determination,
Congress in the early months Of rs
had been slowly drifting toward the plan
If an Independent existence. bit it was
quiet and unobservabe. Ga the 7th of
June, Richard Henry Lee, Of Virginia
rose and real these resolutions:
"That these United Colonies are, and
Of right oughtto be free and Independent
States; that they are absolyed from all
allegiance to the British Crown, and that
all political connection between them and
the State Of Great Britain is and ought
to be totally dissolved.
" That it is cxpedicnt forthwith to
take the most eiicctual measures Tor for
ming foreign alliances
"That plan of confederation be pre-
pared and transmitted to the respective
colonies for their consideration and ap=
probation"
This was the first blow for the indie
dependence of the colonies. The rosolu-
tons were bitterly opposed by Robert
Livingston, OF New York, Dickinson and
Wilson, of Pennsylvania, and Rutcdgc,
of South Carolina, the discussion run
ming through the Sth and 10Th Of Jane,
when their consideration was postponed
for three weeks On the lst day Of July
lI76 the discussion was again resumed,
itcontinued through that day, and on
the 2i, the matter was settled, although
it did not become public till the 4th. 1t
required a tremendously persistent effort
and sehemng that would do credit to the
politics of our owu time, to carry it
through. An amusing incident, in con.
nection with the signing is related BY
Mr., Jefferson. He says it was FASTENED,
as follows:
''Near the hall was large stable
whence the flies issued in legions Cen
tlemen were, in those days, peculiarly
sensitive to such dscomforts by reason
of silk stockings; and when this annoy
ancc, snperadded to the summer heat OF
Philadelphia, had become intolerabe
they FASTENED to bring the matter to 4
close"
"It is meet and right and our bound
en- duty to rejoice and be glad, on this
blessed anniversary of our nations na
tivity. Civil war, threatened to destroy
the magnificent republic which their he.
roism, blood and treasure had construc.
ted. Father fought against sou, and son
againsl father; those born Of the same
mother sought each others life in the
terrible conflict. Yet, thanks to Ner-
ciful Providence, the war closed, North
and South stretched out ther hands, and
unior, peace and harmony were once
more restored, and to-day we are con,
tented people.
Float, then, the old star spanglcd ban
ner to the breeze; let the pealing Of the
merry bells, speak of the glory of ouE
liberty. Let the cannon belch forth its
thunder, and let the rugged mountain
peaks hurl back the dealening echo
"'Tis freedoms voice that speaks" Let
every voice break forth in loud hosan-
mas, for the peace and quiet Of our dear
old land. Oh, would that the spirits ot
those, who suffered, lived and passed
away, all loaded with q nation love, may
witness, too, with us, the splendor Of
this natal day; and may the God Of Hea
ven make us worthy of the glorious lcga.
cy which those heroes gave us in tho
Declaration Of Independence Of the 4th
of July, 1876.