The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1879-07-09
JUDGE w. $. EONNIFIELD'SORAT
Delivered in Spring City Jaly Fourth.

Mr.. CHAIRMAN, LADIES AND GENTLE
sEN. AND FELLOW CrTfzENs:-I shall
avail myself of the, opportunity which
this occasion affords of offering my
deep and lasting gratitude for the
courtesy, kindness and generous hospi-
tAity. esteaded by you to myself and
those in whose company, | make this
visit to your town. My own gratitude
for the distinguished honor conferred in
selecting me for your orator on this oc-
&asion mast be as lasting as my life.
Slould l tail to interest you, attribute
6Ae failure to my lack of the oratorical
skill and ability, and not to any i'm
aginary gloom OF the subject--a subject
Which to the true American citizen
never can be threadbare, wornout or
distastful.
THE CONDITION. OF OUR COUNTRY,
It's progress, success and~the memories
Of it's origin can only be subjects of the
greatest felicity; and the day is day
Of rejoicing throughout this broad land
ct ours. Hymns of joy watt from the
mountain tops; songs of gladness as
cend from the valleys, and mingling
With those. borne on the wings OF the
ocean wind constitute one grand har-
luoneous pean of celebration, where
ever the flag Of our, country symbolizes
the sovereignty of freedom. This
mornings saa rising from beyond the
broad Atlantic, with his pencils OF gold,
and with the territory of our whole
Oniou for a canvas, illuminated. the
grandest, happiest picture that ever.
7<tlnhght shone upon. A broad land,
whose length extends from the Atlantic
TO the Pacific-these two oceans the
spacious doors to the commerce of the
whole world-numberless railroads and
nayigable lakes and rivers, which are
the CONSTANTLY used his hway oft trade
and industry; everywhere houses aud
rssidencss, and villages and towns and
cities. the homes OF a happy and pros
porous people; school houses, SEM
naries, acsdenfies and colleges, the I'M
instakabie eyide.lces.. OF tile highest
type OF civilization and enlightenment;
the churches of all creeds, denomina
lions and Beliefs, with their congrega-
uons composed of all ranks of society.
TO NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. belief languishes
iuiprison or i'll dungeon, a sure indication
that here religious liberty prevails and
utterly excludes the reign of intoier-
ance. No churches established by the
State, those temples OF intslorance,
those sepuichres OF free thought and of
inquiry and investigation; no estab-
ifshed churches darken with their
Long threatening shadows this land Of
ours. The walls of no bastile shuts
cut, the light of day from any political
PRISONERS. No kings. queens or
emperors in their palaces, sustained by
standing. armies to crush to earth the
Eee OF Liberty and to oyertax the ener-
Gles and enterprise of our people. No
deapot ON the throne, no rlller of mon
Hrchy, absolute or HIM desecrates
tae, soil. !, No hereditary ruler dis
eaarages the just ambition of the gifted
s3Ds. of genins. No slave of any
caior or age or condition obtrudes his
s.lsckles and chains, to mar the happy
ficspses which !. the mornings sun
Lshtcd up IN our fires country. No
0ars cloud. of war casts its, dismal
gFwlm; here white,rohed peace smiles
EcAsall tue paaple--thcse lnillio.s oi
-. 80 sss.