Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-07-02
OLYMPIA. WASHINGTON TER.
FRIDAY, JULY ,, 1850.
"The Day We Celebrate"

One hundred and four years age
next Sunday, fiity-six bold, honest
and heroic men, the representative
of "a few feeble colonies scattered
along the Atlantic seaboard, met in
convention to found u new empire
based upon the inalienable rights OF
man. Seven years OF bloody conflict
ensued, and the 4th of July, 1776, is
canonized in the hearts of the great
and good as the jubilee OF oppressed
nationalities, and in the calendar of
heroic deeds it marks a new era in
the history Of the race. Little over
o century has passed away and those
few feeble colonists, hemmed in by
the ocean in front, the wilderness
and the savage in the rear. have
spanned vast continent, with great
empires OF free States, rearing
throughout its former wilderness,
temples of science and OF civillza-
ton upon the ruins of savage life.
Happiness, seldom if ever eGhaled,
has surrounded the domestic fire.
side, and prosperity unsurpassed
has crowned The national energies.
The liberties of the people have
been secured at home and abroad,
while the national ensign floats
honored and respected in every COM
mercial mart of the world. Genius
is able to announce its inventions
and discoveries and the hand is flee
to accomplish whatever the heart
conceives not incompatible with the
rights of fellow-being. All dis
tinctions of birth and rank are is-
nored; all citizens, whether native
or adopted, ale placed upon terms
of precise equality, all are entitled
to equal rights and equal protection.
No union exists between church and
state, and perfect freedom of opin-
lou is guaranteed to all sects and
creeds.
But we are not indebted alone for
our proud nationality, to the heroic
deeds and patriotic sacrifices OF the
early founders of the Republic.
Sectional strife and discord induced
a powerful attempt to destroy the
Union of our Fathers, but the appeal
to the arbitrament of the sword
failed. and the national standard
and honor was preserved from the
perils which threatened it, by the
valor and patriotism of the noble
sons of brave sires; and the blood
which was shed in that conflict has
only the more closely cementeo the
bonds of union and intensified the
love for our common country. Let
no uncharitable reflections or venge-
full feelings against our Southern
brethren cloud the glory of the day.
With tears of love for the blue
aud love and tears for the grey" let
us only remember. without rancor
or prejudice, that the blood of
Northern and Southern soldiers,
freely and conscientiously shed upon
the fields of carnage, has triumphant
Iy solved the great problem of self
government and made our country
the bullwark of strength, the sheet
anchor of peace, the asylum of the
oppressed. the throne of liberty and
the hope of the world.
Let the anniversary be a day Of
JOY and glory, Of honor and thanks-
giving. Let the merchant and the
tradesman and the farmer leave the
counter, the workshop and the pillow,
lie. each heart consecrate itself anew
on the altar of our country. Float
the Banners and fire the cannons!
Let the air vibrate with the patriotic
strains of music! Sing loud the
freeman's song, and let each patriot,
inspired by the spirit breathing to
US from the glorious and hallowed
memories of the past and the tattle-
felis of tic Republic, join in the
glad refrain of Liberty
''Grett God we thank thee for this home
THIS b.autious birtbidnd of the tree ;
Where wanderers from afar NAV come,
Aud breathe the air of liberty!
81 u may her flowers untrampled spring.
Her harvests wave. her cities rise,
And yet till time will fold his wing
Remain Earth's loveliest paradise
The Democrats, in sporting par
lance sees the Republican raise and
90 them ono hot{ar