The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-07-08

ant places" This is the golden age. as the
present is always the golden age Of history.
Mr. W. here quoted from Macaulay, to show
how men and nations were prone TO look back
for the golden age. In passing on questions
and in estimating the importance OF men and
measures, we often overlook men and events
which not only gave tone to the age in which
they lived and happened, but left an impress
upon all subsequent time. He then cited the
invention of the cotton gin, which did more to
perpetuate slavery than all the logic used 10y
statesman or strategy by politicians. The south
remembered Calhoun, but forgot Eli whitney.
The man who invented the reaping machine,
or the sewing machine, did more Tor the good
Of the race than any individual OF his age. The
man that makes something that lifts his fellow
from the wigwam of barbarism towards the
castle Of civilization, is the true benefactor.
The man who drives out the wolf and brings
in the machine is the reformer. The world
b as been slow in the recognition Of its true
enefactors. OF all tine race that have been
swept to the democracy Of the grave but four
ave acquired the more than regal title OF
reat. Alexander, Alfred, Peter and Freder-
lex all OF whom acquired their distinction by
the victories Of war, and not the triunphs OF
peace. The heroes whose memory We celc-
brste were heroes OF peace rather than war.
The revolution was not commenced Tor per
sOnal ambition or national conquest, but that
three millions of men might secure to them
and their children the blessings OF free gov
ernment.
Although we. have increased Com three TO
forty millions; although the great Mississippi
valley has gone from barbarism to condition
of admirable civilization; although our phlos-
ophers have caught the lightning from the
clouds and sent il on missions OF mercy ana
through the deep course OF the sea; although
we have tunnelled the mountains, bridged the
rivers, and almost blotted out the idea of dis
tance although we have given 10 the world the
eloquence of Webster and the poetry OF
Longfellow; although we have embellshed
the history Of mankind with the character OF
Washington and Lincoln: notwithstanding
these results, the energies OF our land are stllI
in the infancy Of their achievements. This
land, richer than the land of promise, when the
sun stood still on Gideon and the moon in the
valley Of Ajalon, is to be the home OF the en-
lightened husbandman, the ingenious mechan-
ic, the truly educated scholar, and the aristo-
crat Of personal worth, all .minglng in social
harmony in the preservation OF that liberty
proclaimed by our fathers.
IL is not all of patriotism or craftsmanship to create
liberty The difficult task. as shown by history is TO
maintain and perpetuate IL. We were not TO be all
exception TO the experience of all nations which has
preceded US Mr.. W. then alluded briefly TO the
causes Of the late rebellion Ihis was me second
made wise by our terrible experience: War settles
questions which neither courts. councils or cabinets
could settle Laws and constitutions are written and
repealed in the blood of battle.
Hugo a.ks. Was i possible that Napoleon shonld
win the battle! - He answers, No why be.
cause of Wellington? because of Blucheff No
because OF God. Waterloo is not a battle, 1t is
change Of front OF the universe. SO, we enquire,
was possible that secession should win the battle
No Why's because of Ilncolnf because Of Grant?
No; because OF God. Lees surref der is not the
Surrender of battle II is change OF front Of the
universe The cloud by day and the pillar Oh fire by
night has become the guardian OF freedom. the sea
was passed, and tho spirit OF liberty, moved by the
inspiration OF Miriam, shouted Sing ye to the Lord
for gloriously hath he triumphed. Rider and horse
be proud of the part bore in that terrible struggle
Its sons mingled in the fight from the commencement
TO the close, and have left fame that will be admir-
ed as long liberty Is loved and oppression hated
If the heroic dead are concerned In the aff'rs OF
these who were dear 10 them in this life, to the
immortal Wallace and those who died with him, on
this centennial OF the liberty they loved now Offer
the heart. the leve and gratitude OF this people.
on flames e,ernGl camping ground
Their silent tents are spread;
And glory guards. In solemn round,
TIE bivouac OF the dead.
ie. Us hope that ont OF this ruin may arise better
liberty better nation, better people. Let Us say
the 18th century grand, but the 10th Will be happy
Taken in the aggregate the American people have
grown better as they pave grown wiser Under the
fostering Of our institutions We have grown 10
be the wonder and glory OF the world.
We are now browning the success of the century
with an exhibition supassng the capacity OF the eA-
tire world at the time of the revolution.
The liberty inaugurated by the fathers gives 10 all
considerable measure, may be ascrbed the vast diff
ference between the America Of the 18th and the
America OF the 18th century When the Declaration
OF Independence was made the world was ignorant
OF the fact that the hot water OF the boiler was to
travel over the cod water Of the ant remained
for Robert Fulton TO disclose to the admiration OF
the world the immeasureabe richness OF that dis
Covery. At that time your fathers were lingering IN
the shadows of an age using pillow not much better
than the left by Cnc.nnatus when he was called
10 save his country, and reaper no. lar removed
from the in when Ruth CLEANED in the field OF
Boaz long centuries before.
This liberty, this freedom, this shout from the car
of progress of "aIl aboard!' has so stimulated
America that to.dsy the United States may claim
world.
In the fields Of literature and science We have not
been wanting. Our scholars have Kept pace W tn the
students of the most renowned universities of the
old world while the poet laureate of the people
has sung sweeter than the poet laureate OF the king.
While We have been busy with our head and our hands
have neglected the Office OF the heart Our char
ities have been found lingering between the
Jerusalem and Jericho OF our lands. to lift fallen hui
manity and send II ts way rejoicing. In all this
struggle and strife nation have been alone III
the world. Kings. Queens and Emperors have been
interested on the side OF our failure,
Let us be true to the memory OF the past, The in
terest of the present and hopes of the future, Let
us be impressed by that sentiment worthy OF the in
spiraiion of ancient holiness malice toward none,
charity for all
Then for centuries 10 come our descendants, happy
In the enjoyment of liberty will meet year after year
to celebrate the epcchs OF our wonderful history.
Mr.. w. closed with perOration on the duty OF
cherishing our revolutionary liberty as our highest
interest, and tIe treasure in store for NC If we are
true TO our duty and our interest