Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1897-07-08
nlcTIoNS OF JOHN DAM
r. from a Letter to His Wife,
July 3, 1870.
Philadelphia. July 8. 1875.

Philadelphia. July 3, 1875.
|Had a declaration Of Independence
I made seven months ago, it would
" been attended with many great
q glorious effects. We might, before
hour, have formed alliance with
len states. We should have mas
IA Quebec, and been In possession
Canada.
Sou will, perhaps, wonder how such
n declaration would have influenced
u affairs in Canada; but, il | could
Me with freedom, | could easily
tylnce you that 1t would, and
5lain to you the manner how. Many
btlemen in high stations. and Of
ht influence have been duped, by
n ministerial bubble of commission
4 tc treat; and in real, sincere ex-
Ration Of this event, which they so
IDLY wished, they have been slow
languld In promoting measures for
a reduction Of that province. Others
&re are In the colonies who really
$hed that Il enterprise in Canada
<lld be defeated; that the colonies
BIT be brought into danger and dis
s between two fires, and be thus
uced to submit. Others really
|Aed to defeat the expedition to
ada, lest the conquest OF it should
rate the minds Of the people too
% to hearken to those terms Of rec
Fllation which they believed would
offered us. These Earring views.
nes and designs occasioned an OPP
llon to many salutary measures
% were proposed for the support
mat expedition, and caused OBJ
pclons, endorsements, and stud
delays which have finally lost us
province.
these causes, however, In con-
etlon, would not have disappointed
II had not been for a misfortune
ga could not have been foreseen,
perhaps could not have been pre-
tsd--i mean the prevalence of the
upox among our troops. This ia
pesulence completed our destruc-
II is a frown Of Providence upon
salcn we ought to lay to heart.
On the other hand, the delay of
ueciaration to this time has many
advantages attending it. The
OF reconciliation which were
entertained by multitudes OF
and well-meaning. though
s'snted and mistaken people.
Osen gradually, and at last totally
usuisned. Time has been given
sus whole people maturely to con
me great question of independ-
ala 70 ripen their Judgment. dis
.neir fears, and allure their
oy discussing 1t in newspapers
ysmpnlets-by debating 1t In as
snes' conventions, committees of
ana lnspection-in town and
meetings, as we'll as in private
%sfsationsl SO that the whole peo-
esery colony. have now adopted
saeI own act. This will cement
A.0u' and avoid those heats. and
convulsions, which might
zen occasioned by such a dec
s'a SIX months ago.
tne day is past. The second dav
ss, IT'S, will be a memorable
= IN the history of America. I
IA " believe that 1t will be cele-
W succeeding generations. as
s'ea, Anniversary Festival. It
" commemorated, az the day
\ ~, - by solemn acts of de-
God Almighty. 1t ought to
Il nlzed with pomp, shows,
Sports, guns. bells, bonires and
N - from one end OF the con-
the other. from this time
may think me TRANSPORTED with
IA - out ! am not. I am well
" the toll and blood and treas
.H VIII cost us TO maintain this
n and support and defend
IN s.es' Yet. through all the
b. can see the rays OF light and
voss. u see that the end is more
i.rl,s .n all the means. and that
lm.wil VIII triumph. although you