Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-07-07
THE FOURTH OF JULY.
How twas Celebrated.

PIE W SpeHu Lue udy out OF town or
quietly at home. The Grand Army
of the Republic, several months ago,
decided to try and change this and
invited the different orders and as.
sociations TO cooperate with them.
While this was not done to the ex-
tent desired, still, the display was
creditable to those participating.
The procession was formed about
O'Clock, the Fire Company heading
the column with drum corps, follow
ed by st. Patrick S and st. Joseph's
societies,the knights of Pythias, the
Mechanics Band ard the G.. A. r.
The line of march was taken up and
after a lengthy march, proceed to
the beautiful lawn OF Hon. e. J.
Faulkner. Uuder the ample shade
there found, Judge Faulkner, after
a few pertinent remarks, read the
Declaration of Independence. Hon.
Chas. j. Faulkner then being in,
troduced, addressed the assemblage.
We give a synopsis Of some of the
| points of his address.
ole sad Standing IN the presence of
/ the re res snfatiYes Of tho Grand Army
Of the Republic, surrounded by the flags
Of Republic VIII CHI had been saved
from dlsmemoefin4atb il courage and
fidelity, he c0ud nat refrain from al
luding to that strik NJ aud painful
| event Of our history, vii - lad evoked
these memories.
The civil war, 8i.ca fof four long
years had filled this country with suf-
iering and sorrow. had many features
about it----n)w that ii had happily ter
minated----to which both of The parties
to that conflict mi ght refer with salts
faction and pride. Ii was IA war of
principles, a conflict Of honest c0nYic-
tion upon both sides, springing from
discordant views OF the principles Of
Government; of the reserved rights of
the States, and Of the powers vested by
the constitution IN Congress: free from
the baser expressions ofscalpldily, ava
rice, lust of spoiis, personal idolatries.
and servility TO the fortunes Of military
Chieftains, which had SO generally mark
times. 1t was not like the civil wars of
ancient Rome, where thousands, may he
might say, millions OF human beings
were inundated at the shrine ofreIsonal
ambition, to determine whether Mar
ius or Scylla, Il Cesar or q Pompey
should WELD the destinies Of that Re-
public. Ours was of "a more lofty and
heroic character. 1t was to assert
principles cherished by the respective
sections. The South believed that thro'
the agency Of II separate and indepen-
dent Confederacy they could more eff |
fectually carry into practice princi- |
pies of constitutional law, better suited |
to their condition and interests. The !
North held that the existing Union was |
adequate to the protection of the rights |
and interests of both sections; that such |
a separation would be destructive of |
the interests of both; and it determined |
by military power to avert any such |
calamity to the nation.
He said, that no civil war, projected .
upon so grand and magnificent a scale,
involving such mighty interests
and evoking such earnest passions. had |
ever been conducted on both sides with |
such sacred regard to the laws and usa-
ges of war; had drawn forth more kind
ly interchanges Of good Offices, or alb
stained from unnecessary destruction of
property. He knew there We're some |
exceptions to this statement, but could
it be otherwise in a war of such extent
He spoke of the war as whole, upon a
calm survey of Its general operations.
Nocivil war was ever brought to close
under more liberal terms of capitula-
ton and surrender. The victors exhib-
tied clemency and magnanimity; the
vanquished met their fate with heroism
and manly submission.
He then proceeded to notice some of
the few of the many consequences Of
the war.
1t had settled forever questions
which had nestled in the cradel Of the
constitution, and which had disturbed
the legislation of the country from the
first hour of its existence.
1t has removed some irretating
sources of National discord and strife
which were continually interfering
with the business of Congress and
threatening the peace Of the country.
1t applied the strong arm Of the sur
gerry of war to cut from our bos0ms the
cancer Of slavery and give health and
repose to the body polite. 1t has en-
gendered VI higher mutual respect be-
tween the two sections. The North
has witnessed with admiration the
reckless gallantry and uncalculating
heroic self-sacritice with which the
South maintained its principles; while
the South has viewed with equal admi-
mination, the cool and deliberate cour-
age, the determined purpose, the inflex-
iDle resolution, and the energy, yigor
and enterprise, which marked the North
in the conduct of the war.
1t has walked up all the dormant en-
ergies of this mighty nation, revealed to
itself and the world, ii boundless and
unlimited resources, in peace and war;
astonished all Europe by its financial
ability and martial prowess, and caus-