The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1892-07-05
STATE OFFICIALS
COUNTY OFFICIALS.



Americans, ut Lexington, fired upon
them: and thus my couhtrymen, was
shed the first precious blood OF the Rev
olution, a revolution replete with ad-
yantages not only to Americans in par
ticular, but to humanity in general
The effect on the country OF the she'd
ding of American blood at Lexington,
was like an electrical shock, A CRY OF
Indignation and outrage rent the air.
Volunteers from the country and from
the city, from the shop and from the
farm. hocked to Boston to aid their
couutrvmen in distress. Then came the
battle of Bunker Hill, and both sides
knew that war, open and unreientiess'
was inevitable. The Continental Con-
gress, sitting at Philadelphia, appointed
Gen. George Washington, OF virginia,
Commander in Chief of the American
armies. The appointment was an ex=-
tremelv iudicious one, for Washington
possessed bravery without rashness, had
the highest order of intelligence, and
personal character commanding univer-
sal admiration and respect. Other ages
and other nations may boast OF their
warriors, statesman and patriots. Some
may admire Alexander the Great, who,
having afflicted on mankind the scourge
of war for the sake of conquest; wept
that he had not other worlds to conquer.
Some may point to Cesar as the con-
summation of human greatness, but
Caesar waged war to gratify his insatla-
BILE ambition, and to promote his per-
ssonal aggrandizement. Some might
consider the hero OF Marengo and Aus
rterlitz the foremost man of all the world,
had not Napoleon plunged France into
expensive and ruinous wars that he
might trample underfoot the liberties of
Europe. But Washington, actuated by
motives pure, lofty and sublime, was
filled with sentiments of unselfish 10y
atty and patriotism for his fellow coun-
trvmen, unparalleled in the annals OF
the world
When victorious, as at Trenton,
Princetown or ut Yorktown, some Amer
leans there were transported beyond the
bounds of reason with Joy. When IN
the dark valley of defeat, as at German
town and Brandywine, others there were
over whelmed by despair; but the in
~domitable heart of George Washington
whether in victory or defeat, whether
shocked by the treason of Arnold, ol
pierced with sorrow by the terrible suf
ferings of his troops at valley Forge, was
patient resolute and hopeful.
Surely he is the noblest man that eve
lived in the tide OF time, and OF hin
with truth it was said, First in peace
first in war, and first in the hearts of hi
countrvmen."
ON the I'd day of July, 1776, Richard
Henry Lee of Virginia, moved that tn
congress of the United States, declar
that these colonies are, and OF righ
ought to be, free and independen
states. A committee was appointed
draft declaration, consisting OF til
names of Thomas Jefferson. John Ac
sams, BENJAMIN Franklin, Roger She
man and Robert r. Livingstone. III
declaration recommended by this con
mittee was written by the immortal pc
of the illustrious jefferson. On the Al
day of July, 116 years ago, the cont
mental congress, fellow citizens, pc
formed its greatest and most importa
duty. The question before congre
was, shall these states be free and ind
pendent? Shall the American peor
forever be blessed with the inestimat
boon of liberty, or shall they sink in
slavery and become the> cringing ser
of a powerful despotism, that wou
grind them into powder at the back O
foreign despot? The debate was 10
and protracted; at length the vote W
taken, the result announced in awt
silence, and grand old Independer
bell rang out clear and lond, proclai
ing liberty unto the world. of tru
this day we commemorate is not de
sion and a snare, but veritable reali
pregant with everlasting benefits
mankind
Years followed in which the half #
half clad american soldiers, contend
with the thoroughly equipped and {
pointed regulars of the British arm
The days were cold and dark, q
dreary Washington, driven from \
York, retreated with difficulty thror
New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Univ
sal gloom enshrouded the nation and
seemed lost, irreparably loet; but in t