The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1876-07-13

r ator with certain inalienable rights,
0 his heart beat in unison with the sent
ment, even at that early date, whe
T the advocates of the doctrine were fe
I but now happily endorsed or acqu
1 esced in by all.
Hon. Samuel E. Hibben was the
, introduced to the audience as the ReaC
er of the Declaration of independence,
, Mr.. Hibben then stepped forward, lean
, ing on his cane for support, and made
f few very feeling and appropriate remarks
, He alluded to the fact of his having rea
the Declaration just half a century before
and that he and one or two others were a
most the only survivors among all who too
prominent part on that occasion. He re
joioed that he was spared to meet his fe
low-citizens of Highland county on thi
, great Centennial Day of Freedom;, thanke
} the Committee of Arrangements for tn
compliment paid him in his appointment
as reader, and said that on account of tn
feebleness of his voice he had selected
very competent young gentleman to rea'
the Declaration in his stead. He then in
troduced Mr.. Edwin Sloane, youngest Sol
of the late Judge Sloane, who proceede,
to read the immortal charter of liberty il
excellent style.
Music by the bands.
Song, "Star-Spangled Banner"
Adjourned for dinner until two PM
AFTERNOON EXERCISES.
Music by the bands.
Song, "a Thousand Years." sung il
very superior manner by Capt. Geo
B. Gardner; chorus by the Glee Club
The President then introduced
Hon. Henry L. Dickey, of Green
field, the Orator of the Day.
GRAFTON OF HON. H. L. DIcKEY.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1t is difficult task to successfully repeat an old
story, familiar to all, but that which should have
an abiding place in our minds, that which we
suOulu anu WHiCu buOulu lOuHudllOl
of education and character, cannot be too often
repeated, nor too deeply impressed upon us. The
story of the which led to the Declaration OF
Independence by the fathers Of our Republic, and
of the struggle which followed is familiar to ALL but
SO too, the story of the Cross is old; yet who will
say that it shall not be remembered that it shall
not be often repeated and deeply Impressed upon
the mind, yea, made the very foundation of educa-
tion and character; and who will say that close be-
side it, enshrined in every heart of this broad and
beautiful land should not be the story of the gori-
struggle of our Revolutionary fathers for Lib
erty and Independence
Those who would be willing to lay aside and for
get our National Holiday, who do not foster rec
collections of the events attending our nations
birth, who do not with generous hearts and sublime
gratitude, thank Him who made the land and sea-
for our independence and freedom, our peace, our
Union and our prosperity, are surely unmindful or
careless Of the liberty secured and enjoyed, under
the provisions of our matchless written Constitu-
tion.
The rebellion of our forefathers against the tyr
amy and oppression of Great Britain; the estab-
lishment by them of the government we enjoy,
where civil and religions liberty dwell in harmony,
gress have made growth unequaled in the history
of the world, was achievement in the highest
degree worthy of commemoration by their pos
terity.
The fourth of July 1776! one hundred years ago
to-day! What world of thought clusters around
the glorious names and the thrilling events of those
times! Sorely and grievously had they suffered
from the unjust laws and expressions of the Eng
lish crown. They were ready with Lord Camden
to exclaim- Taxation and representation are in
separately united. That God hath joined them to-
gether, and no British parliament with all its pre-
tended transcendent power, could put them assun-
der" Deeply impressed with the principles of lib
erty, and viewing the powers of just government
from the elevated plane upon which they establish
ed 1t, they sat in Independence Hall deliberat-
ing upon their future conduct
The city of Phiiadelphia was throDged with an
anxious crowd, uneasily awaiting the final deter
mination of the momentous question. Through
out tie thirteen colonies and indeed in all Europe
were the people watching closely the events trans
piring at Philadelphia
The immortal signers of the Declaration of In
dependence carefully investigated the immense i'm
portance of their action. In secret, solemn, earn
est and prayerful consultation did they weigh the
Importance and probable results of their action.
The Declaration had been read before them.
John Adams rose and in clear, determined voice
declared that ait true, that in the beginning we
aimed not at independence, but there's divinity
which shapes our ends, and am for this Declara-
tion of Independence" All hearts concurred and
the bends were severed. They broke in pieces the
chains which were forged around them, and the
rod of oppression which was held above them, and
cut asunder forever the ties which had bound them
to the mother country.
By that act they launched into dark, and almost
abyss of uncertainty, over whose pitt
less storms, after seven years of untold misery,
hardship and war, they finally triumphed, having
planted firmly and securely the great corner stone
Of Liberty and equal rights The Liberty Bell pro-
claimed the startling news from the tower of Inde
pendence Hall, and the joyous shouts of hundreds
rent the air. 1t was the death knell of tyranny and
in Columbias happy land, and the birth
Of our freedom.
True, DR.. Franklin had said to his countrymen,
the sun of liberty is set; you must light up the
amps of industry and economy" But the people
replied. tive will light other lights and resist un-
awful and oppressive measures"
The camp fires of Liberty were kindled through
'ut the length and breadth of the thirteen colonies
The blaze of freedom burst from every patriotic |
BOSOM, and the nigh ty wave of liberty began to
oil, hurried on by the very breath Of heaven.
OH could We and all the people, more fully real
re the expressions upon the Colonies that forced
he sages and heroes of the R revolution into open
esistance of the mother country, and filed their
hearts with an inspiring love of liberty, how much
more would we revere the beautiful fabric of gov
,rnment they have transmitted us, and which it IL
,ur duty to hand down in its iglory and purity to
'ur posetrity!
Burdencd by unjust taxation, CALLED and har-
,assed by the torturiug claims of an overgrown
,ardless of its promises and unfaithfnl to its pledg
5, they burst the bands that held them to such |
and hazarded their lives, their for
unes and their sacred honor for their freedom.
The 'Sons Of Liberty" were organized the stamp |
'ficers and revenue collectors were burnt in eigy
everywhere. The populace seized and burned the |
tamps In New York; lawyers, doctors, merchants
md business men entered into solemn compacts,
efusing to use stamps or to import goods from
Great Britain. Ships In the harbor of Boston were
boarded, duty-taxed tea thrown into the ocean, and
hat which was designed as means of extorting
ribute from the colonies, became an offering to
he 'spirits of the visty deep"
bill to discontinue the landing and shipping
# goods, wares and merchandise at the town of
Boston or within the harbor, was passed by parlia-
nent. This act was followed by another 'for the