Arizona citizen., 1877-07-14
American Independence.

FOllowlng IS the address Of HOTac6 Appel, boy of fourteen years of age
 delivered at Leyin's Park, Tucson, July f, 1877:
 One hundred and one years have passed since the Americans succeeded
 in shaking off the yoke of the English monarchy and becoming really inde- pendent. There followed a war of sev- en years, which cost thousands of lives, in order to establish the liberty of the people and the country, and it has been theIr good fortune not to abuse the glO- rious condition to which the severe struggle exalted them. The patriotic and daring heroes of 1776 swore they would be free or die, and they accom- plished their freedom Many died Tn the struggle, but when expiring, a con solatOry smile could be seen on their lips, which told the tyrannical oppress- or-we die to free our countryl The first bloodshed in the war for Indepen- dence, reddened the sands of Lexing ton on the nineteenth of April, 1775, but It was not shed in vain. The En- glish burned and destroyed villages and cities they made treaty of alli- ance with the Indians, so they should help murder the cOlOnists who resisted tyranny, but finally the justice of God prevailed and gave deserved punish ment to such infamy on the part of the oppressors of our foretathers. In the midst of the struggles, the American Congress published on July f, 1776, the Declaration of Independence
 At that time, the American Union was small nation composed of only thirteen States. After the war was ended and the nations independence established, Gen. George Washington was chosen in April, 17S9, first Presi- dent. The term of four years havingI expired, he was again elected almost unanimously In 1796, he asked leayeI to retire to private life and John Ad- ans was elected second President. Att that time the Union had population of only five millions of inhabitants.
 The cause of the Revolutionary war was most unjust usurpatIon of theI rights of free people The Ameri- can heroes of 1776, gained immortali- ty, and in future centuries their deeds and the glorious name of GeorgeI Washington will be hOnored aud rev. cred by all those who esteem true in dependence. Washington was not am bilious like many other heroes of that or of former ages; his only wish was to free his country from the oppres- sor's yoke which was every day be- coming more lnsufferable. The chains with which Great Britain attempted to bind a noble and generous people, were broken, and America's glory and independence were acknowledged byI her foes and enjoyed by her people.
 It is one hundred and one yearsI since the Declaration of Independence was signed and proclaimed, and the century of progress which the acquir- ed liberty has produced, may be seen. The thirteen States have increased to i thirty -eight-nearly trebled. The area of the country has expanded from the narrow strip of territory along the At lantic coast, till it embraces the whole vast basin of the Mississippi and ex- tends to the shores that face the morn- ing land of Asia. The area of thei federal Union in 17S9 was about 500, 900 square miles, 1t is now more than 3,000,000 of square miles. The cen tury has witnessed growth of popu- lation more surprising than the in crease of territory. It has seen the three millions of 1776 swelling to over thirty-eight millions in 1870. This great growth is partly the result of natural increase and largely to immi- grafton from the Old World Europe has given us her overfowiEg millions, who were attracted hither by the hos pitality of the Republic offering to all, as it does, civil liberty, equal rights and fair chance to get on in life.