National Republican., 1878-07-05
The OLDEST INHABITANTS

Itonla.oi yro', Era Rl0e.l
since that time there have been two other wars
one Of them as NJ the first with Great Britain; the
Other, alas between sections OF our own country,
he t 70 dub be harmony 9n PeScsb Which sho%d az
ways exist between our own and other nations and
among ourselves. May The movements Of heavily;
artillery, never again cause the earth TO trembe,
nor fields TO be blishted Of their DEMONSTRATING
The atmosphere again polluted By The POISONOUS
and destructive breath OF war. We now happily
THE DAWN OF NEW ERA.
when physical force 6 giving place TO mind. 40
tho exercise Of common sense, In a manner com
patble with enllgh!oncd civilization, Then no
but he truth In rs broSdsst sense re"li2ed that
prosperity. with all ih attendant blessings can
aione cofne irvm peace.
The spirit Of good stimulates tho earth to the pro-
duction Of the harvest and all else that may do
light and bless msiikind bestowing benuties
Arc around aud above US in masnIasegiSe and warn.
Tie spI q es % on u ist cosi"rg, woad bss lie
earth Of all ;tbs, Is bean,nnl sad present, as the
certificate Of his power, widowhood and mphanagc
poverty and crime. The one Is the Representative
OF peace, the other Of war.
Industry claims the right to toll
And happy modes OF life prepare,
While Nature every man invites
To all her bountcous frultage share.
Peace grants this boon because she's Just
And not, like war, on harm intent;
Her blessings arc so numerous
That they can never all be spent.
Fields covered not with mortals slain,
But with abundant, wholesome food;
Whore glory true the harvest reaps
For mnfis support md social good
Peace We have to-day. We hear not the sound
Of hostile cannon nor of warning trumpet, but
those of melody and harmony la this temple dcd-
Gated TO the cause OF humanity. III celebration Of
warfare, over Independence sccur cd. and with
Ladies and gentlemen. we thank you for your at
tendance, and for the compliment Of your patience
throughout the protractcd exercise. notwithstand
be responsible. The 'Oldcst Inhabitants" are es
pSSeiGlly honored by the presci.ce Of ladies whose
struggle for freedom. History fails TO discover
TRAITOR AMONG THEM.
Our gallantry demands this affirmation of their
The spri, Of the revolution anl lives. twill
never die II our countrymcn continue to appre-
clate Independence and the blessings 1t confets
upon them.
And now. friends, as q becoming conclusion to
our exercises, let us pause to look upon the symbol
ofour power. Wherever 1t floats Il speaks with
silent but expressive eloquence Of tho land we love.
oarth"-the flag Of the free, Of statss united u,ers
the flaming truth Of the existence OF q Republic
In both foreign and domestic cimcs.
Forever float that standard sheet
Where breathes the foe but falls before us,
with freodmens soil beneath our feet,
And frcedmen's banner streaming DER US.
Let Us honor the old flag lis stars like the stellar
hfes Of the armament, never IN be dimmed, aud
afler which Il was fashioned. May Il ever represent
q constellation of States constantly increasing In
number. illuminating the Union field the stars
glitter above, where reign harmony and peace. And
Gs the national STAN sh inc for ALL may those on
our banner, tcaching the lesson Of unity and Of
concoId undistuIbed BY faction with no instru-
mcntallties TO rend our starry host
As the estimate of constitutional liberty cannot
be pLacCl too lIVn sDCrtllcc u tD
preserve In strength with oil It's resulting bene-
fts. May the American flag always be tie symbol
Of justice as well Of Independence and Of the
righteousness that e1ateth nation" And as we
pass from the stage of action, may the living gen
erations be mindful of what II cost 70 win and pre-
serve the liberty which have more than 100 years
been enioycd and by no act disappoint the Gu.
lightcned portion of mankind In other lands, who
BY our example are cheerod with the hope that the
beneficent rays Of freedom may make bright the
places now darkencd by despotism. and with the
addition OF new political consultations, more pre-
cious than those discovered by the eye ofscience
cure to them to u.s. the inaiensble right of life
liberty. and the pursuit Of happiness"