Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1876-07-06
SYNOPSIS OF AN GRAFTON DELIVERED nv
HON. T. z. COLLINS. JULY 4. 1879

HON. 7. Z. COLLINS, JULY 4, 1873.
Historic Philadelphia, of revolutionary
grandeur, and almost every other city, vii
lage and hamlet throughout the land, arc
celebrating our national birthday in a man
ner betting the grandeur and greatness of
our country and the dignity OF the $4,000
600 of free aud enlightened people within
its limits.
The universal celebration of this Centen-
NAL is u duty we owe, not only tc'the past
to celebrate and keep forever green iii our
memories the genius which framed, and the
virtues which have preserved, our intitu-
tons, but to the present-to show the world
that we'are proud Of the Government estaL-
lished by the men of 1776, and given to us,
their successors, as their richest and most
sacred legacy.
National pride is the sheet-anchor of our
political existence, and it's growth should be-
fostered and encouraged with jealous care.
With it, the centuries of our existence are
not numbered without it, we have nothing
to awakened our patriotism or kindle our ardor
for our country.
AAON CNCSod 10 II CilCI tHdt WV SIlOUltk
take one day iii each year, at least-tf,is day
which tells the world of the birth and glory
of our country-to foster this sentiment OF
national pride, display our patriotism, and
worship at the shrine Of our country for OUR
country's good. Even in this remote por-
ton OF our country, the few of us residing
in this gulch and its tributaries, far away
from the genial influences OF civilization,
with no populous gathering to kindlc our
enthusiasm, but with pure and indebted
patriotism, are here assembled to testify our
regard for our free and united country.
Our celebration is a small affair in point
of numbers and in the necessary material to
give it eclat and to spread enthusiasm. We
will not have many. buncomb, spread-eag Gle
Fourth OF July speeches, no ~profnsion of
flags and bunting, no grand parade of socie-
tics Or military companies with martial mu-
sic to stir our patriotic blood, no dance upon
the green, no picnic, no vocal music to in
spire up with patriotic feeling, 10 Eyarts or
Lamar to portray to MS the beauties Of orr
system Of government i'll vivid eolors anil
with burning eloquence, but in lieu of all
these deficiencies, we have had the reading
of that immortal Instrument, the, Declare
ton of independence, adopted by the Con-
tinental Congress on the 18th day of July,
1776-just one hundred years ago-and
gloriously sustained and ratified by the peo-
ple'of the thirteen Colonies in their arduous
struggle, heroic endurance and immortal
victories over the British King and his
armies. We reverently look to that day
July 18th. 1776-as the birthday of our Ma
ton, and as the time when the united Colo
MES took equal stations among the nations
of the earth, by declaring them free and in
dependent States.
If we lack in the embellishments which
usually accompany celebrations OF this char
lcter, we should not. and DO not, lack In
patriotism ard love Of country, and the will
% venerate and perpetllate the memory OF
he founders OF oelr Government to whom
We owe so much,
Not only have we great cause for vener-
ting the spirit Of the men of 1776. on mc-
count Of the noble legacy of freedom and
elf-ggoyernment TREY successfully estab-
ished, but the lovers of liberty and govern
nent by the people, for the people. through
nut the whole civilized world, should and
10, also rejoice with us. Our success has
cen the means of limiting and curtailing
ne prerogative of the King, and Of making
nore endurable the sway of the Emperor.
Our success has caused the firm establish
lent OF republican forms of government in