National Republican., 1878-07-04
THE NATIONAL ANNIVERSARY.


United States, previous colonies of Great
Britain, became independent of that power,
and Divine aid has preserved the liberties
then contended for, until the thirteen States
which were born into Republic, have
multiplied, and the galaxy now numbers
thirty-eight, comprising within the national
boundary nearly fifty millions of people,
among the most intelligent, enter
prising, and prosperous known to the
habitable globe. This is what q free
nation and free people have ac-
complished for mankind within triile
more than century. Such progress, such
development of resources, such achievements
of talent and skill, such advancement in
civilization, such multiplicatons of poprla-
tion such growth in national power and
splcndor never has been recorded on the
page of history In the same space of time
since the morning-stars first sang together
in the infancy of creation.
That man who is not proud Of such her
itage, and whose heart does not swell with
gratitude to GoD for being counted as citi-
zen of such a nation, is not worthy Of Amer
lean citizenship nor entitled to its blessings
and benefits. What, then, shall be said of
those who struck at the heart Of the Re-
public with the spear of rcbellionP When
State sovereignty is elevated above the
sovereignty of the Union, when allegiance
to State is greater than to the nation OF
States, is not that blow aimed at the ma
tional integrity which endangers the very
foundations of the Republic? These con-
siderations press upon the patriotic mind
when this people are called to commemorate
the day which gave birth to the American
Republic. They are incidents in our history
which can no more be ignored than history
itself, and which reminds us that the Amer
lean Republic, like that of Rome, is not
without its dangers, which point to ultimate
downfall, unless successfully averted. Aud
hence, while we rejoice that Republican in
stitutions have been planted, watered, and
preserved in the hest blood of the nation,
our rejoicings are unavoidably tinctured by
u deep anxiety for the future. There is no
safety until all the humors that aiiict the
body polite are purged out, and true pa
tIlollsll HNStttS llScll llHCS SNltlioi "
State rights and local sovereignty. All these
must be sunk in the national harmony,
peace, and welfare, or the days of this Re-
public, like those of Rome, are numbered.
But though dangers environ this nation ;
though perls have been met and overcome ;
though civil strife has shaken it to its very
centre though a peace has been patched
between sections, and those very patches are
warningS of renewed strife, we should thank
an overruling Power with devOut hearts
that lie sustained the efforts Of our anccs-
tors in establishing the principles OF free
government on American soil, and has thus
far guided IL through the severcst trials in
safety. Our rejoicings should he mingled
with patriotic gratitude that the Ruler Of
nations has for more than q century sus-
tanned this nation as by the hand of omnip-
otent power and care. This should and
must be our reliance in the future, as it has
been our protection in the past, and we
should not tempt withdrawal of Divine
favor by relaxing our personal patriotism
and devotion to our common country, one
and inseparable, now and forever.
1t is to he regretted that proper observ-
ance of the day at the National Capital has
been neglected for long period of years
At no point in the land is it more fitting
that the natal day of our national existence
should be observed after the manner of oui
forefathers than at the seat Of national
power. This day is not peculiarly marked
: by this people above other holidays, when
it should be pre-eminently observed by
every demonstration that indicates living
l active patriotism. The ringing Of bells, The
firing of cannon, the parade of soldiery, the
song of praise, the grafton, the feast of rea
) son and the flow of soul, with every othel
: becoming demonstration of joy, shoul(
/ characterize this Independence Day" n
/ the Capital of the nation. But, we regre
. to say, the chapter of history is not thu
filed up and illustrated. The more is tn
pity, for 1t argues that we are becoming un
Z mindful of the national blessings that hav,
9 been bequeathed to us by our foreiathers
AN ITEM FOR THE PORTER INQUIRY
There exists among the personal effect
of gentleman in Washington-we suppos