FESTIVAL ORATION, DELIVERED

THE

FOURTH OF JULY 1867 IN SAUK CITY,

WISCONSIN.

FELLOW-CITIZENS:-What signify the shouts of joy which resound to-day, the ringing of the bells, the songs and the merry tones of music? For what purpose are our streets decorated with green branches? Why did you in such a great number, meet here, from far and near?

OCCASION OF THE FESTIVAL.

To-day is the grandest festival which we celebrate, the festival of the Declaration of Independence of the United States. Every one should recollect to day that grand event, every one rejoice; the love of liberty ought to be fostered in all hearts, also in those of the youth: and I rejoice to see the children of our public schools here assembled.

My friends! What a festival! It is celebrated everywhere, from the lakes which in the North border our country, to the Gulf of Mexico, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, in the whole Union!

But, while at this occasion also heaves my breast joyfully, I am nearly disheartened, when I look over the numerous, most respectable assembly, and recollect my feeble faculties, so much the more because only a short time was given me for preparation. If, therefore, the

success does not correspond to your expectation, excuse the effort, and grant me your kind indulgence.

ORIGIN OF THE FESTIVAL.

First, I will explain the historical origin of our fe tival. About one hundred years ago, the English Government resolved to levy taxes upon its American Colonies. Now, they did not object to bear their share of the public charges, but they wanted to tax themselves, asserting that the British Government had no right to im ose taxes upon them. For, according to the English Constitution, the people were not permitted to be taxed but by their representatives, (the Parliament.) Still, the Colonies had no representatives in the Parliament, consequently the Parliament had no right to tax them. At first they should pay a tax for sugar and stamped paper. All public documents,notes, receipts, bonds, newspapers, etc., etc., should be stamped, and a certain tax be paid for them to the British Government. The colonies refused to do it. The stamped papers were burnt, hidden, destroyed. The Government was obliged to repeal the stamp Act. After some years, it made another attempt, resolving that the Colonies should pay a tax for paper, glass, colors, and tea. They should also support British soldiers; and two regiments were immediately ordered to Boston. The indignation the colonies felt on account of these violent actions was general. In Boston, several malcontents, disguised as Indians, threw 340 chests of tea, which belonged to the East India Company, into the ocean. The inhabitants of New York and Pennsylvania returned the tea to England. The English Government closed the port of Boston, declared the inhabitants rebels, and dispatched still more troops. At Lexington the first blood was spilled, (1775), while the

soldiers attacked the colonists and killed several. After this a general insurrection followed: the colonies resolved to resist, and called their men to arms:

Congress assembled in Philadelphia (1776), resolving: "We the representatives of the States, proclaim and declare that these united colonies shall be, henceforth, free and independent States; and that every political connection between them and the British Crown shall be dissolved." The declaration was almost everywhere joyfully received. Solemn processions were arranged the bells were rung, cannon-shots resounded and patriotic orations were delivered. The colonies fought during eight years against the mother-country for freedom and independence. They avoided no sacrifice and privations. Many fought barefooted, in snow-fields, in the midst of winter. France succored the brave, and finally, proud, humbled England signed the peace in Paris, and acknowledged the independence of the colonies, (1783). Hundreds of millions of dollars had been spent with war expenses, and hundreds of thousands of Americans had lost their lives; even more had grown miserable by wounds and poverty: but INDEPENDECNE triumphed!

FREEDOM OF 4 MILLIONS OF MEN.

In fact, independence from a foreign power was accomplished; still within the country it was not yet complete. In the preamble of the Declaration it is said:

"We hold these truths to be self evident-That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." In the Southern States slavery still dominated. It was in vain that the Northern States demanded its abolishment; the slave holders opposed; nay even demanded the re

turn of their fugitive slaves. This was not enough. Slavery ought also to be introduced into all territories, and when the patriotic party-at their head Abraham Lincoln, the President-opposed, ten slave-holding States raised the flag of insurrection, and burned Fort Sumpter. But the phoenix of Liberty rose from the ashes of the fort. True it took four years of a bloody combat, and cost many victims. I, also, laid my sacrifice upon the altar of my new country; I let five of my sons enlist in the combat; one of them returned a crippled man, with one leg, another lost his life by cruel starvation in the prisons of North Carolina.

But why do I speak of my own humble self, as, perhaps,, few are among you whose families did not suffer similar misfortunes.

4

How many wives, how many mothers, deplore the loss of a dear husband, of a beloved son! Even the chief of our government, president Lincoln, whose memory will never be forgotten, fell a martyr to liberty. Billions of dollars were devoured by war; hundreds of thousands lost their lives, and many more their health. But the fetters of slavery were, finally, broken and now consider this contrast: before this, the wretched slaves often suffered hunger, want and exhaustion; they were driven with the lash, to work, were branded, pursued with blood-hounds, loaded with fetters, and often, with wanton cruelty, tortured and killed. No kind judge existed for them. Husbands and wives were separated, daughters abused by their masters, their children sold at the slave-auctions. The schools were locked up them; even the blessings of religion-the last consolation left to the unfortunate-withheld from them; they

to