F 159 ^:^^^^;^:^:@=.g§:^=gg:^;^^^;^:@.;^:@:|^ .P5 B6 Copy 2 # 'Uj ORATIO:^ '^^ ,, J DKMVRKED BT $ HON. JOHN P. BLAIR (PKKSIDESr JL'DOE INDIANA DISTRICT) %mdtmmd I DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE IN THE CITY OF ALTOONA, PA., $ $ WITH AN APPENDIX EMBRACING ProgramiTie of Exercises, Prayer by Rev. J. Curns, and A Brief Historical Sketch. 1876: EvKNMNr. Mirror Printing House, Altoona, Pa. & ORATIOISr <^'^3 DRI.IVEKED UY HON. JOHN P. BLAIR (president judge INDIANA DISTRICT) /jeEtetswM CelebrEti^ DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE CITY OF ALTOONA, PA., J"XJIL.-^ 4, 18^6. WITH AN APPEND X EMBRAC'INli Pi^ogramme of Exercises, Prayer by Rev. J. Curns, and % A Brief Historical Sketch. 1876: Evhxixii Mirror Printinu Hoish, Al.TliONA, i'A. a\ \-' )^.\v h No.1 4.8:13... LIBRARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE. Alcove, Shelf,.. CENTENNIAL ORATION, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : The scene presented in Altoona to-da}^ is impressive, Wlien I accepted the invitation of 3'oar committee to come here and address you, I did not antici- pate a demonstration lilie this. I remembered, indeed, that it was the Centennial year, and tliat the Fourth of July would be greeted and celebrated tliroughout the country with unaccustomed manifes- tations of reverence and joy — and I supposed that, in this respect, ■i/oj/r commemorative services would not be exceptional. But the extensive and elaborate preparations — the long and attractive pro- cession, representing various arts and industries, events and per- sonages, familiar in our histor}'- — the liandsome and almost universal decoration of streets and houses — and the hosts of peoi)le assembled before me — present a scene far surpassing my expectations. Out- side of Philadelphia, 1 have doubt whether a more interesting and imposing spectaole will be witnessed in the Stale. It reflects credit and honor on the spirit, enterprise and patriotism of your county and your young city. Almost constantly engaged as I have been since the receipt of your invitation in the discharge of other duties, from which there is no exemption, if I fail to say anything worthy of remembrnnce, 1 shall know, at least, that my heart responds with yours to all tiie patriotic suggestions and emotions incident to the oecasion. As we naturally pause at this time to consider the great changes, that have taken place in the physical condition of the country — your own city may be taken as an illustration, and not an inadequate one of our material progress. It was only laid out, 1 believe, in 1849. Since that time the population has reached about sixteen thousand. The general improvement has been great. Your special manufac- tures are of the first magnitude. I do not, at present, recall an in- stance, in this State, where a city of so much importance has sprung up with so much rapidity. It is only, however, a single manifesta- tion of that general spirit of improvement and progress that has characterized the centur}-, and tliat has had its finest and fullest development in the last sixty or seventy years. From thirteen colonies, at the commencement, sparsely populated and separated by denser forsets, we have grown into a great nation, composed of thirt^'-seven States and eleven territories, two of tlie latter, Colorado and New Mexico, now asking admission into the Union — and all of them organized under territorial governments except Alaska and the Indian territory'. With a population something less than three millions, at the beginning, it is probably fort3'-five millions to-day. Some of tliese States, not then known, and not organized into States for manv 3'ears afterwards, have now a single population greater than all the original colonies combined. Cities and towns innumer- able have sprung up in places where, a few years before, there was no sign of human habitation. I3\' means of our lakes and noble rivers, our canals, and a net-woik of railroads and telegraphs, the inhabitants of all portions of tliis vast expanse of territor}'^ are brought into easy and familiar intercourse. Our agricultural and mineral interests have swelled into v;ist proportions. The spirit of invention in the mechanical arts and appliances for lightening hu- man labor, and increasing human comfort and liberty and hap- piness has been intensified and pushed forward to extraordinary success. Meanwhile, the charitable, educational and moral' interests of the country have not been neglected. They have kept pace with' the march of material prosperity, and wlierever that prosperity has been most substantial, tliere the institutions that nurture and guard these important interests will be found in the highest condition of usefulness, alleviating human pain, suffering and want, and through the instrumentality of colleges and seminaries, academies and normal schools, and common schools and churches, bringing the blessings of education and moral culture within the reach of all, even to the poorest and most humble family. We miglit resort to statistics for the purpose ot showing the unexampled progi-ess we have made in the departments to which I have alluded. But. while that might be desirable and satisTaetory to an audience composed of foreigners, and not acquainted with our history, it is entirely un- necessary in an assenibl}' of Americans. The proofs are largely* within our own vision, and within our own consciousness. Cast our eyes which way we may over the face of this fair land and the evidence meets our gaze at every turn, and the thought that swells up in our minds and hearts to-da}- and speaks out from every face is, that all the blessings that have crowned the first century of our national existence are mainly due to those noble institutions of government planted here by our political forefathers, whose great worii we now commemorate. What were they ? Wiiat were the principles that produced sucii splendid results ? The government of the people, for the people and by tlie people. Freedom of conscience, freedom of speech, free- dom of press. The inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of ha[>piness. Equality in the sight of the law. The principle that lifts awa}- the weight with which so man}' other governments burth- tn tlie industries tmd energies of tlieir people, and gives to each and all the citizens of this free country a fair start and an equal chance in tlie career of usefulness and .lisiinction. These were the founda- tions on which the superstiucture was built. It was the first expei'i- ment (jf the kind that had ever been fairly attempted in the history of the world. If we are surprised at our own progress, other na- tions are astonished at the tremendous strides we have made under ihe impulses of this young and vigorous civilization. The secret of it all is the simple princijjle of trusting a free people with the whole power, and holding out to them every incentive to industry and advancement. If we have inaugurated a marvelous career of general prosperity in this Mestern world, it is malnl}- because human activi- ties and eneigies have been quickened and stimulated under a S3 stem of government which, combining the highest degree of lib- erty consistent with necessary and salutary' legal restraint, has opened up tlie pathway of honor and advancement — not to a few, not to any privileged classes — but to all men alike. It is a system that recognizes the capacit}- of mankind to govern themselves, and is therefore based on the dignity of human nature. Wise and equal and jiist in the theor}' on which it is formed, it has been eminentl}' successful and triumphant in its practical operations. Within a conqiaratively biief period of lime a continent has been transformed from a wilderness into tiie most powerful nation on llio globe, aii, and ought to be, totally dissolved. That resolution was passed b}' Congress on the second day of Julj', and the Declara- tion of Independence which had been previously reported, was adopted and attested by the signatures of the President and Secre- tary on the Fourth. Tlie great majority of the people of the colo- nies were ready and ripe for independence before it was formally de- clared, and v.lien that declaration was made by Congress it was simply tlie official announcement of a fact already existing. It is quite true tliat prior to that day the people assembled through their representatives in united convention, had not, by any resolution, de- clared for independence ; but that was what was meant at Concord, Lexington and Bunker II ill ; at Quebec, Ticonderogo and Boston; by the assemblage of the armj- at New York, at Fort Sullivan, and by certain unmistakable hostile proceedings in the colony of Vir- ginia. All (hat was war, and the true and profound meaning of those movements was independence. If the}' stopped short of that, it was treason within the meaning of the English law. A profound conviction had settled down in tlie public mind that the only rem- edy for existing abuses and oppressions was the severance of all al- legiance to a foreign power. When, therefore, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence it was but the august proclamation of a fact that had already flashed from the muskets and thundered from the cannon of a people resolved to be free. It is not necessar}' now to vindicate the justice of that declara- tion. The world knows that the colonies exhausted every expedi- ent in the wa}' of conciliation and amicable settlement before re- sorting to the last remedy reserved for an oppressed and outraged peo[»le. There was no alternative but war or submission to pro- ceedings that violated the beneficial principles of the English con- stitution and reduced the people of the colonies to the condition of slaves. It is not likely that a great countrj' such as this was des- tined to be, could remain forever subject to the dominion of a for- eign government located beyond the ocean. Xo doubt the separa- tion would liave come sooner or later in the nature of things. But that British aggressions on the rights and liberties of the people of 14 these colonies had been carried to siicli an extent as to abundantly justif}' resist'ance by revolution and war. is a proposition so clear in the light of well establislied historical facts as to a'linit of no con- troversy. I will not stop to repeat the story of their grievances, or the conciliator}^ efforts made for their redress. The dark catalogue of offences perpetrated by the English King is recited in the Declara- tion of Independence which has been impiessively read in your hear- ing and is fresh in your recollection. Tliat declai-ation was adopted by the Continental Congress after a careful scrutiny and confidently submitted to the candid jndgment ol" mankind. liCt it not be inferred from anything that has been said that we w^ould underestimate the importance of the Declaration of Indei)en- dence or the courage which inspired it. Aside from the great truths it proclaimed on the subject of human liberty' and human rights, which would alone render it immortal, it was an act that de- manded firmness, resolution, and courage. Unquestionably it was revolutionary in its charactei', but just and necessary to place the colonies in their real and true position before the world, not as con- tending for a mere redress of grievances, for that had become hojK'- less, but asserting the right to a separate national existence as in- dispensable to their exemption from the continuance of intolerable wrongs and essential to the maintenance of public and private rights. Sincerity and candor required that the war should nut be conducted on the basis that, in the event of success, the peo[)le of the colonies, reinstated in their rights, were slill to remain subjects of Great Britain, when, in truth, absolute and total indepiMidence was the real object in view, This purpose clearl}- ami oflicially announced and sustained by the most ample and solid reasons, met the de- mands of the popular will and gave new inspiration to the strug- gle. Hencefortli there was a grander end to be accomplished than mere temporary relief from insufferable wrongs. Whatever resi)on- sibilitN^ there was in that act of independence — and it was of the gravest description — the members of the Continental Congress de- liberately assumed it. The declaration was not sprung upon them suddenly and carried in the enthusiasm or amid tlie huzzas of the moment. On the contrary, it was well and carefully considered, and the men who composed that illustrious Congress were fully conscious of the perils of the situation. At that time Washington was at New York with the army, consisting of seven or eight thous- 15 and effective men, tlie one fiftli of them armed with defective mus- kets. An attack was expected from General Howe wh5 was await- ing his reinforcements, and who soon afterwards appeared, followed. l)_y an army well ))rovid('d and equipped and numbering nearly thirty thousand. The news of the gallant and successful resistance at fort IMdiihrie against the Britisli ships of war had not 3^et reached the ears of Congress. The strength of the enemj'^ and their own sad deficiency in the means and munitions of war might well suggest a pause and lead the Congress to consider whether it was not '"better to bear the ills we have tlian fly to others we know not of." England was a nation of vast military power, well practiced in the arts and discipline of war, with which these young and scat- tered colonies would natuially wish to avoid a contest. Formida- ble on the land, she was not less so on the sea. She required the erection of no bulwarks for her defence, No towers along the steep, Ilfr march is o'er the mountain waves And her home is on the deep. Never was a war undertaken against a great nation under circum- stances seemingly so adverse. Everything was staked on the une- qual contest. If the Declaiation of Independence could be main- tained on the battlefield tlic safety of its authors would be well as- sui'ed. l>ut if the cause went down under the formidable power ar- rayed against it, forfeiture of life and confiscation of property were the expected penalties. The Continental Congress consisted of a single body. There was no Senate, no executive to share and di- vide the res))onsibilities of the act. Many of the members who composed it had already become conspicuous advocates of indepen- dence and all would be rendeied prominent by the great act which was now abcut to be perfoimed. They would naturally be marked :uk1 selected as the most pro|)er subjects for punishment in case of defeat. It was no mere rhapsody of words, no idle ceremony, when to the support of their high resolve thej'- pledged their lives, their t'orhines and their sacred honors, to attest that declaration with their ow-n signatures where all the w^orld might see them, and with a full consciousness of the surrounding perils, required a courage no less commanding than that displayed by the soldier in charging a battery or a fort. I see some persons around me to-day who can appreciate the glory and danger of such assaults. But while we admire and honor the firm and brave men who put their signatures to this instrument, of how little praetical benefit the declaration, if nothing else had been done ! It was but a single step, a single act in the drama, an attractive and grand one, it is true, but still not a finished performance. The remaining battles of the revolution were \et to be fought. They were fought and the victory won. But if the curtain had dropped there, the world would not have been summoned to witness this Centennial triumph. The great work of forming a national government tluit would consti- tute us one free people was ^et to be performed, without which the Declaration of Independence and the sacrifices and battles of the revolution would have presented a melancholy and mournful specta- cle of human failure and foll^'. There is no part of our infant history more instructive than that which records the necessity for the establishment of a national gov- ernment, the efforts that were made in that direction, and the prejudices and apprehensions that stood in tlie vva}'. We cannot read that history without being profoundly irai)ressed with the con- viction that our present sj^stem of constitutional government could not have been adopted if the way for it had not been opened and prepared by the irresistable logic of events. The country was educated and trained for the acceptance of the system through a trying period of thirteen years, constantly revealing, by a sad ex- perience, the necessity for something in tlie form of a general gov- ernment which it did not have. The efforts to form a national union were alwa3'S embarrassed by a strange apprehension and jealousy among the colonies. It required five years, from 1770 to 1781, to procure even the adoption of the articles of confederation, weak as they were, although during the vvhole of that period the fate of the country hung trembling on the doubtful issue of the war. The articles of the confederation proved utterly inadequate for the purposes of government. The fatal defect of the system was that it operated on the States as sovereignties, instead of embracing and operating through the medium of the laws on the people who com- posed the States. It soon shared the fate to which all similar con- federacies have even been doomed since the beginning of the world. Under that plan Congress was left, practically, at the mere}' of the States. It might pass measures necessary to sustain and conduct the functions of a general government, but it depended on the sov- n ereign will of thirteen States wliot'ier such measures would be car- ried into effect within their respective borders. It had no power to protect commerce, to discharge the national obligations, maintain its own laws, or preserve the public peace — we mean that, under the articles of confederation, there was i:)ractically no power in Con- gress to accomplish these necessary and fundamental ends and purposes of government, unless the States, in their sovereign capacity, saw fit to join with Congress in the execution of the gen- eral laws. The States withdrew their support from Congress and the nation was left to drift, helplessly, wlierever caprice or the waves of human passion might carry it. Our commerce was prostrated and the public credit almost ruined, and there was no national power anywhere to relieve the sinking interests of the countiy\ A wild and turbulent spirit had seized large bodies of men, and from multiplying causes, springing from the weakness of government, the young nation was standing on the verge of destruc- tion. No one was more sensible than Washington that some radical change in the plan of government was indispensable. He had been embarrassed in his military operations b}^ the same want of national power that was now threatening with ruin all that had been achieved by the revolution. " I do not conceive," he says in a letter to John Jay, "that we can exist long as a nation without lodging somewhere a power which will pervade the whole Union in as energetic a manner as the authority of the State governments extends over the several States." His letters of that period abound wiih declarations of a similar character and with expressions of l)rofound anxiety for the safety of the republic. It would extend this address beyond reasonable bonds to specify and recite them ; but they should never be forgotten. In this opinion he was ardent- ly joined b\' those who had served with him in the arm}'^ and by nearly all public men who had taken a conspicuous part in the conduct of public aflairs, whose local prejudices had been softened or removed by the personal associations produced by the war. Tiie fear of a union, principally founded on local prejudices and rivalries existing among the colonies, is to us, of this genera- tion, surprising. The explanation is, in the main, to be found in the circumstances of their early history-. The}' differed from each other in the manner of their settlement and in the provisions of their respective charters from the Crown, "and so exasperated were the 18 people in their disputes with each otlier concerning boundaries and charter claims, that Doctor Franklin observed in thej^ear 1700, that a union of the Colonies against the mother country was absolutely impossible, or at least without being forced by the most grevious tyranny and oppression." That tyranny and oppression came, and a union, or rather an alliance, followed. But it is one thing to form an alliance to meet a common danger, to repel the assaults of the savage, with his tomahawk and scalping knife, or to resist British aggressions; it was quite a different thing to form a union after the danger was past, under a national government that could pro- tect the States from hostilities and wars, one with another, and prevent them from becoming the mere sport of foreign powers. Better that the battles of tlie revolution had never been fouglit and the grand truths of ihe Declaration of Independence never uttered, than that the cause of free popular government should come to a sudden and disgraceful termination. At this great crisis in our histor}', when everytliing valuable and precious was in danger, Washington was at Mount Yernon watching with extreme mortifi- cation and alarm the drift of events. At the close of the war he had returned his commission as Commander-in-Chief to the Con- gress at Anna[)olis, and retired to his beautiful home on the Poto- mac. No man rejoiced more than he that the darkness and tempest of the revolution had passed away and the star of peace returned. He had served his country without compensation, claiming only the reimbursements of his expenses ; and now that the long and weary conflict was over, his heart yearned for the quiet scenes of home where he expected to spend the remainder of his life in peace, and where he was followed by the blessings and tears of a nation. During the few years of his retirement, events had occurred of sucli startling significance to the country as forced him again into public service to assist the eminent patriots and statesmen of that day in laying the foundations of the present government. He was made the President of that illustrious convention of delegates from the States that sat with closed doors in tlie cit}' of Philadelphia, and, as a result of their labors, gave us the Constitution of the United States, and thereby saved the countiy from impending degradation and ruin. This was the crowning glory of that series of events we commemorate to-day. Peace has her victories no less renowned than war. But there are no lessons so durable as those that are 19 taught in the school of adversity. There is no vvisJoin equal to the wisdom of experience. Our system of government is not the off- spring of mere philosophical speculation, notiin embodiment of the dream of some scholar, who, in the graceful leisure of his stud}' has pict^jred in his mind the image of a perfect republic. The men who framed it were indeed familiar witli all the history of the past, and not unmindful of the lessons it tauglit. But something more was necessary- than familiarity' with past examples, and that knowledge was obtained in the severe discipline and trials induced bj' our own defective experiments. We have paid dearly for this inestimable boon of free popular government — we could get it on no other terms. Other nations have had their battles for freedom before us ; some have had theirs since ; none has been so fortunate as ours. If there be any other nations destined to enjoy, the privileges of a similar government, they must imitate our example and fight for them. They are not likely to obtain them b}' patient wailing and wishing. Despotic or hereditary power is seldom resigned voluntarily. It would seem to be a strange, sad truth, fully exemplified in the pages of histor}-, that there is no redemption for nations in this world, as there is none for individuals in the next, except tlirough the shedding of blood. Look at England ! English writers love to boast of the omnipotence of Parliament, and the beauty and perfection of the liritish Constitution. There is sometliing in that Constitution to admire. There is something also to condemn. There is much that the American mind could never tolerate. We have taken out of it what v>e considered good and valuable and placed it in our own fundamental law ; we rejected the balance. But even that measure of self-government and of freedom to the person and protection to private property to be found in the British Constitution, how was it obtained ? Through years of bloodshed, until at last the bold bravoes of Bunnj-mede, clad in arms and stern with conquest, wrestled the great charter from the hands of an unwilling King; and it required years of further bloodshed to retain what they won. The lesson taught in history seems to be that there is no libort}' for mankind, no great achievement on behalf of human rights, except tlirough the agency of the sword. Our own liberty was not ob- tained without a sacrifice. It was born in the storms of revolution dnd has been subjected to one fearful trial by battle before the 20 century closed. History will record how this last great exigency was met. The record will furnish an exhibition of unsurpassed devotion to freedom artd to the maintenance that unity of govern- ment which constitutes us one people. What will be said of that stupendous crisis in our national life at the next Centennial of American independence by the multiplied millions who will then inhabit this land? They will dwell on the scenes of that moment- ous struggle as we do to-day on the scenes of the revolution, and with the same pathetic interest. Tliey will follow the fortunes of the flag as it passed through the s'.iadow of that great eclipse, and rejoice, with us, when it emerged at last from the darkness into the light with all the stars still blazing from the field of blue. They will comprehend the vast issues at stake. They will appi'eciate, as we did, the lesson so often ui-ged by Washington, tliat lilierty and union under this system of constitutional government of ours aie one and the same thing; that dismemberment opens up scenes of danger and chaos and darkness that we could not contemplate and live and die happy. And they will feel and know, as we did, that their safet^^, and happiness, and political equality as individuals and States, and their glory and power as a nation, depend on jne- serving, in its unity, that legacy of free government bequeathed to them by the fathers of the republic and saved and redeemed by the blood of their sons. The influence of a great example is never lost. If a crisis shall come ujjon the generations who shall succeed us they will draw inspiration and courage from the contemi)lation of the past. We know full well that we cannot forcast the future or indulge witli certaintity in the language of prophesy. But the men who lived one hundred years ago had unswerving faith in the perpetuity of tlie principles they proclaimed, and predicted that tlie benefits of their labors would endure for all time to come. May we not claim the same privileges since we live under circumstances still more auspicious and with a Constitution now purified from the only sin that once stained its beauty and weakened its [)ower ? At the next Centennial of American independence you and I, and probably every one within the sound of my voice, will be in our graves. Our record, whatever else it may be, will have been finished. Human life is circumscribed and ni'cessarily brief. Not so with tlie republic. It ma}' endure " 'til the last sylable of recorded time!" 21 A government that woukl delibornlcly put a period to its own ex- istence, or fix a time ■when it should be broken, up and dissolved, would bo guilty of suicide. Ours has been formed, not for any fixed or definite period, but for all time. The Constitution of the United States is not unchangeable. The men who framed it wisely provided for its amendment by peaceful methods. If experience should indicate that there is a solitary provision in it that is wrong, impolitic, unjust or not supported by the moral sense of the people, it ma}' be stricken out and a new one substituted to meet the ex- igency by legal and peaceful proceedings. If there be something wrong in the practical administration of national affairs that cannot be reached by constitutional amendments, the instincts of the peo- ple are right, and they will correct any abuse so soon as they see it. It is their own Constitution and government, and they will correct any fault in their own wa3% If the system of government estab- lished here will not stand the tests of time, it is not in the power of finite wisdom to designate the place that will. We can safe!}' trust something to the objections of the people. These free institutions :!i-e all the more dear to us because of the perils the\' have encount- ered and survived. The attachment and devotion of the people to tliem, instead of diminishing, have grown with our growth and strengthened with our strength. To defend them is now an in- stinct of our n.itui'e — the same that impels an individual to defend liimself or his child against a murderous assault. If a foreign or domestic foe should stand up, armed, and come marching forward to assail them or to destroy t!ie su^jremacy of the flag, and all that it symbolizes, what would be the answer to-day? Millions of swords would leap from their scabbord sand flash in the sunlight, eager and determined to punish the insolence of the invaders. With this love in the hearts of the people, fresher and stronger than ever before, and with the profound conviction of the general excel- lence of our institutions, illustrated in the experience of the century "now closing, let us hope and believe and feel fully persuaded that the same spectacle of joy and patriotic devotion to free popular government under the Constitution of the United States witnessed in this country to-day, will be reproduced at each coming Centen- nial of American independence until the end of time. Fellow-citizens, I have detained 3-ou too long. I thank you for your [)atient attention. APTENDTX. PRAYER BY REV. J. CURNS. . -.T-"}-® ,elf alone absolutely perfect '^' ^'-V^'! "', I'e/eator o^ all tLinge,, the Redeemer the earth is Thy ^-^^^-^^^ ^Vr^plt^ toward a^ ^ Thou sendest and Judjje of all men. 1 hou ^^\\''''^^,}''' g^^^ reign Lord, our -boun- rain on the just and on ^l^e ""J- ■ T hou a o^j ^^^^g^^^^ ^^^ ,^^^^^^ ^^^^._ tiful Benefactor, our lif-f^^^'^^'f ;^; ; ' "ommon with millions of our fellow versary of our National '-^^f^^Jf^'^^^J^^^^^^^^ together here, on this glad citizens, elsewhere '---^^;:f ^Tl'ou . tS^ <'f praise and thanksgiving for festive day, to P^-^f "^^""'U fwe as a people, have received from Thy hands ; theinnumerableblessings wh h we a a^^^^ ^.^^ ^^^^ ^^ p^^^ ^,^^, ^,^ to humble ourselves ^^^^'^Jf"; '°f ;„ the future, as ii has been in the past. Divine favor may ^'Vl^'^tdly he t ge'' wh^^^^^^ 1-st given us in this We thank Thee for the g"":*'f^^;"['^,^, o^„ . for its vast domain ; for its great country, whub we gladly ^^^'^ ^^, 7^; j^ thriving towns and cities, Extensive sea-board and ^-'f'^.^'^^^^/^^^^ ^^^ ts nnghty rivers with their and doited with the peaceful sails of commer^^^^ ^tuering every valUy, n,„umerable tributaries ^Pl^'P/^gJ'Xi^^^^^py. We thank Thee for its lofty and turning ten thousand wheel. " "^^"^ ,(• ,- ..^Hes and valleys. ,.ountains and l»^""=^";,/°7, :,;, *Lan now covered with golden wheat and responsive to the hand of the! - ^^^, ^-^,,.^, ,,p„,Hs of growing corn and abundant I'-mtVe variety of c'imate ; for its natural fnineral wealth ; for ^% f^'^^^^^X^^, l^2ni for the maintenance of a curiosities and endless '^l':^*''^^'^, "/ '^^^^J'^'' f,, ,k Thee for the great men of the grand, free and happy ^^^^^l''^' .^' ' ^rv for the signers of the Decla- Llonial and Revolutionary P^^^'f -^ ^^^^-^^^f ^vJsCgton and his compeers in r,ation of Independence for l^e m.m^^^^^^^^^ ^^^,. ^^,, Council and compatriots '^ f^\'^' ^^ f,^„. We thank Thee for our repub- who suffered and prayed that ^«/7^f;;;;4rc,u,titutions, our wholesome laws. lican form of g"^*^'-""^^"^^ ""':/2trewrd to place of birth, "color orfpre- guaranteeing to all our V--V\^'^^^^^'^^^^^^^^^^ American citizenship. We vions condition,'' all the rights and ,mm^^ ^.^^^.^^^ . ^.^^ ^,„^ thank Thee for our ^""'^^^'^^^^.^^'^'^ Uerature, especially for our comn.on institutions of art, --^^'^^ZmSL^e^-^ capacity in the land may lay s<.hools. where every child "^J^"";;'^"^^,^^^ all, we thank Thee tor our holy the foundations of a useful educ^^^" ' Decalogue and the Sermon on the Mount religion, embracing the P'J^^^^'.^h i'^t Je'ns of Nazareth, for our churches an.l and beautifully ^^"ff^'^,"^ '!,'.' L re igion, not as a dead, lifeless lorm, Sunday-schools, and family altars , Un m ^5,^ t,,„ l,t of our but as a spiritual power, permeating our aw^H^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^. ^^^^ ^^ ^ E;I;J:" wX^l^^ThS ?;;ft w^ a;r l^ace ^.h aU the world, and that we and our niotli«r couiitry have been able to show to the world tliat Cnrislian nations can adjust difficulties between them by peaceful arbitration without resort to arms. We thank Thee for the death of slavery in our country, and th e elevation of people of color to the privileges of citizenship, and for the new and better life of the Republic. We thank Thee that we are permitted to invite all nations to come and participate in tlie great International Exposition, now on exhibition in the chief city of our Commonwealth, commorative of our Centeu- nial jubilee. We ihank Thee as a community and as individuals for the peace and prosperity of our city, the quiet of our homes, and the health and happi- ness of our families. For these, and all other unnumbered and unmerited blessings, be pleased to accept our thanksgiving and praise. And now, 0, Lord, would we remember our sins, and bowing onr uncovered heads, confess them before Thee. We have been proud and self-boastful ; we have been luxurious and self-indulgent ; we have trampled upon Thy mercies, abused Thy clemency and violated Thy laws ; we have lived beneath our re- ligious privileges and neglected our duiies. O, Lord, for the sake of Thine Annointed, forgive all our transgressions, blot out all our iniquities, and re- member our sins against us no more forever. And do Thou be pleased, 0, Fath- er, to bless us : bless our great country ; prevent it from foreign wars, and internecine strife ; keep from her fruitful fields drought and blight, and from her cities pestilence and famine, but smile upon her with healthful climate and abuKdant harvests, and for centuries to come " Still may her flowers untrammeled spring, Her harvests wave, her cities rise, And on till Time shall fold his wing. Remain earth's loveliest paradise." Bless Thy servant the President of the United States and his cabinet, the r()n>;rfss, tlie Judges of the Supreme Court, the army and the navy. Bless the Governors, the Legislatures and Judiciaries of the different States and Terri- tories. B^ess all our people, from the least to the greatest, and still more firmly unite us in the bonds of religious intelligence and libeity. Bless all the nations of the world, and especially those now represented in our great Inter- national Exposition, and as their flags wave peacefully from the domes of our Centennial buildings, kissing the breezes of this bright and glorious day, and enfolding each other in fraternal embrace, so may all the countries of the world, be united in one grand international brotherhood, and Jesus Christ our Saviour reign over all, " King of Kings and Lord of Lords." Help us as a nation to act well our part in the accomplishment of this glorious result. Bless our celebra- tion to-day. May nothing transpire to mar the pleasures of this great occasion. Bless all who in any way participate in its exercises, and whether it be through the reading of the Declaration of Independence, or the oration that shall be delivered, or song or instrumental music, may our thoughts be elevated, our gratitude deejiened and our patriotism inspired. And to Thy Great Name will we ascribe present and eternal glory. Ameu. HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE DAY. ®«f® The Ct^ntennial anniversary of American Independence wa? appropriately celebrated throughout the Union, and few places outside of the metropolitan cities excelled Altoona in commemorating the grand event. The preparations liad been in piogress for many days, and almost everybody, rich and poor, ex- hausted themselves in efforts to make tlie day memorable. The event v?as a grand one, and all were inspired with the feeling that its celebration shi)uld surpass all other demonstrations ever held in this city, and right well was that impulse carried out. The demand for decorations was so great that notwith- standing dealers had taken every precaution to meet it, there was not a flag to be purchased anywhere in the city by Monday noon. Still there was an im- mense quantity of flags and bunting sold, and gradually the city became redder and brighter. Not one flag or two flags were deemed sufficient by the enthusi- astic populace ; they were carried away by the half dozen and dozen, by hundreds and by the armful — flags big and little — cheap and costly — each patriot pur- chasing according to his means and the wants of his premises. The red, white and blue predominated, tliough here and there the green, black and yellow ot other nations were harmoniously intertwined with the star spangled banner. The white elephant of Siam enchanted the small boy, and the sacred beast occu- pied a large share of his zoological mind, and that standard filled him with as much enthusiasm as the " gorgeous ensign of the Republit;" did the boys of larger growth. It seemed as if the "heavens had opened and shed upon the city a glorious shower of flags, that falling had caught and twisted upon every projecting beam and eave. Gusts of wind seemed to have drifted them thick and fast, leaving in other places bare spots as the snow is drifted. Some had twined in their fall around the peaks of high houses ; others blown like autumn leaves were flattened against the sides of the buildings." Everywhere the shower had descended, and magnificent indeed was the face of the city. In the morning came a jolly, rollicking breeze that set all this expanse of color in motion, and kept it waving until the storm, which set in at three p. m., caused it to droop and hang listlessly and dripping. Many of the decorations were ruined with the water, which greatly destroyed the eflect of the scene in the evening. But soon a stout breeze sprung up, and the red, wliite and blue wings gradually unfolded and soared grandly in the Centennial atmosphere. The surroun(ling forests were laid under contribution, and load after load of spruce, pine, laurel, fern, etc., was borne to the city to add splendor to the scene, in arches, wreaths, drapery, in short, every species of d-jcoration into which it could be twined and utilized. Chinese lanterns in gayest colors and varied shapes and sizes hung in profusion from wreaths, arches, porches, and every imaginable projection. With these the rain played sad jiavoc where it was impossible to remove them, but thousands were left to add lustre to the scene at night. Portraits of Washington and pictures of oUier incidents hearing upo.n the birth of the republic and revolutionary struggle were scattered over the city, neatly encased in wreaths of spruce, laurel or whatever pleased the patriotic impulse of the decorator. Strangers and visitors applauded the work and genius of our citizens declaring they had never seen anything to equal it outside of the great cities. The double arches at the inteisection of Ninth street and Eleventh avenue ; and Eighth avenue and Twelfth and Thirteenth streets ; at Thirteenth avenue and Twelfth street; at ]<]leventh avenue Twelfth, Thirteenth and Four- teenth streets ; and at Chestnut avenue and Tenth street werb very beautiful in 25 their various adornnieDts, and added vastly to tLe appearancs of things. Elev- eutli avenue, from Eleventh street to Sixteenth, with its numerous arches and wilderness ot flags pieseuted a grand sight. Every thorouglare had its decora- tions, more or less extensive, and iu whatever wa} the residents thereon chose to manifest their appreiiatiou of the importance of the day, it %vas simply cred- ilabie and commendable in the highest degree. At sunrise salvos of artillery and tlie clangor of bells, creating a noise and tumult over which only a deaf mau could be happy, aroused tlie partially slumbering city. It was the signal for the opening ot the festivities which were to crown the day's jubilation. About halt-past seven o'clock the deserted streets begau to wear a lively ai>peaiauce, and sBou were crowded with an expectant, joyful and sweltering multitude. Notwithstanding the sultry atmosphere, and the intensity of the sun's i ays, men, women and children crowded not only the sidewalks but even into the avenue on whicli the procession was to form, so eager were they to witness and participate in the general rejoicing. The extra police had all ihey could do to keep the people ofl' the avenue and prevent accidents from prancing steeds and passing vehicles. About nine o'cU ck the various civic and military associations, tradesmen, etc., began to file on to Eleventh avenue, and take their position in tVe line of parade lorming on the east side of the avenue, it was near ten o'clock, however, betore the procession was ready to move, when it proceeded eastward on the avenue as far as the Opera House, wliere it countermarched and proceeded on the route laid down for the parade in the following order : Chief Marshal, Wm. J. Denning. Aids — Louis Walton and Charles Pimlot. Moun- tain <'ity Band. Carriages, containing His Honor Mayor Gilland, Rev. James Curns, Judge Blair and city officers. Council, etc., etc- FiKST Division — Military. — Marshal, Mj»j. R. J. Crozier; Assistants, John Frazier and Thos. Miller. The Latta Guard with its fine drum corps, headed this division, lollowed by the Keystone Battery. Then came a wagon hand- somely decorated, containing thirteen young ladies representing the oiiginal cdlonies, with Goddess of Liberty. This was followed by another wagon, also very tastily arranged and ornamented, with thirty-seven young ladies represent- ing tiie number of States in the Union. Secokd Division — Firemen. — Mai>hal, B. F. Rose; Assistants, La Baron Reifsnyder and Adam Moss. Tliis division was one of the most prominent in line, and was headed by the Board of Directois of the Fire Department, followed by the Good Will Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 1, numbering twenty men. Their steamer, in fine condition, was drawn by four bay horses. Then came the Excelsior (colored) band. The Empire H<>ok and Ladder Company, numbering thirty-three men, had their truck splendidly arranged, in the centre of which was a pedestal, luxuriously upholstered, in which were seated Master Guy Laub and Mi^s Blanche Pancake as miniature representatives of George and Martha Washington. The Tyrone Steam Fire Company No. 1, with forty-three men followed the Empire boys, and with their apparatus drawn by ten gray horses, made a very creditable display, and Tyrone people liave reason to be proud of them. The Vigilant Steam Fire Engine Company No. 2, with steamer drawn by four horses, L-^rge hose carriage drawn by two horses, and small liose carriage drawn by thirty-four members of the company. Master Willie Wolfkill person- ated Washington in the ranks of the "Vigieboys." This company deserves great praise for the interest it took in rendering the demonstration a success, and for its own creditable display both in the ranks and about its engine house. Tiieu came safety wagon containing four gentlemen wearing the old style fire equipments of 1786. These were followed by the Excelsior HoFe Company No. ". with twenty men pulling light carriage, gaily decorated, and large carriage drawn by two horses. Then the Altoona City Band, discoursing some excellent music. The corps of musicians made a handsome appearance in tlieir new uniforms. But the Altoona (P. R. R.) Steam Fire Engine Company made the largest display. It has the numbers to do this, and with so much help and 2(i mfans, it is not to be wondered that they are capable of doing great things on great occasions. First came their steamer, glittering and glaring in the sun- shine, drawn by tour horses, followed by the carriage drawn by ninety-six men, four abreast, eat^h bearing the national emblem. On the hose carriage was erected a handsome and gaily-caparisoned pedestal in which was seated Master Andy Kipple and Miss Alice Burley, representing in minature a sailor and his wife. Following the hose carriage was the company's tender drawn by one hundred and thirty boys, dressed in white shirts and caps, and red and white belts. These marched four abreast, each bearing aloft the stars and stripes. The display made by our own firemen and the visiting company was one such as every citizmi had reason to feel proud over. The representation of George and Martha Washington, though in miniature, was complete in the costume of the beginning of the century and in physical resemblance as near as art could render them. TniKD Division — Civic Socii-rrn-.s. ---Marshal, George L. Frect ; Assistants, William Guyer and M. iMcC^y. This division was led by the German Band, fol- lowed by the Frohsinu So(-iety, marshaled by Mr. C. .7. iStahl. Then came the following lodges of Odd Fellow s : HoUidaysburg, No. 119; Claysburg, No. 713 ; Alioona, No. 473 and Mountain City, No. 837. Also, the Brotherhood of the Union and the Americaiu Mechanics. Thtse were all in full regalia, and pre- sented a showy appearance. Fourth Division — Tradesmen, Etc. — Marshal, Edmund Mountney ; Assist- ants, Thos. M. (xoodfellow and William May. 'J'his division was, owing to its character, much the largest and attracted more than ordinary interest and attention. It was mainly made up of representations trom the various depart- ments of the Pennsylvania Railroad Comj)any's shops in this city, mounted on wagons plying their respective V(. cations. It was led by the boiler jnakers. who made the air resonant with the noise incident in the manufacture of a boiler upon which they were working. This division had no musical corps assigned it, the music which it imparted as it moved along the route of procession, len- dering any such assignment superfluous. Next in order was the lathe shop, with machine in operation, followed by tlie tin shop with men at work. Here followed the wagon belonging to D. Orr Alexander's Music Store, handsomely decorated, on which was placed an organ, operated by a gentleman connected with the establishn»ent ; but amid the roar and din of the surrounding trades its tones were drowned. In the refir end of the wagon were seated two little girls personating respectively ihe (ioddess of Liberty and Columbia. After this came a representation of the P. R. R. blacksmith shop, with all tlie necesssry implements, and men working upon red-hot iron, converting it into bolts, and other articles belonging to this craft. Then followed the passenger car builders at work on the body of a miniature passenger coach, while the freight car build- ers gave to the patriotic and iierspiring spectators aspeoimen of their liandiwo,k in the shape of a gondola car body. At this point in the division the other trades broke in, and the Lingafelter Bros, gave us a specimen of how they put things through their large coffee mill, while Chas. Hite exhibited to the uniniti- ated how the Teuton's national beverage is manufactured, by perfoiniing the several processes necessary to the same. His wagon was also decorated with all of a brewer's paraphernalia. Mr. G. Ca^sanaye also exposed specimens of bis workshop, such as harness, bridles, saddles, etc., and Mr. Peter Vetter thought that while there was so ucuch to represent the outer comforts ami conveniences of the human family, he would display tlie " one thing needful " to sustain man in his efforts lo produce these valuable adjuncts of a higher civilization in the shape of persons making bread, and scattering gingersnaps at intervals along the avenues. George W. Yeager had his wai;on adorned with tinware, llr>gs, etc., and also men at work upon articles entering into his bhsiness. Mr. Harry Plep, of the Evening Mirror, had a Gordon jobber at work turning out copies of the Declaration of Independence, which were scattered promiscuously among 2T the crowd as the procession moved along. Mrs. Charles Taylor's ice creamery brought up the rear, and consisted in an ornamented wagon, in which was a table, seated around which were several young ladies indulging in ice cream and cake. Here followed a further representation of the railroad company's indus- tries, led by the trimming department with men at work finishing cushions and backs for car seats. Then the carpenter shop and the cabinet shop, in each of which men were at work on various pieces of furniture entering into their de- })artments. All their vehicles were tastefully ornamented with flags and other devices calculated to add to the imposing nature of the display. Mr. William H. Durborrow followed this with a very characteristic and beautiful display of articles pertaining to the gas fitting and plumbing business. Ilis wagon was very tastily adorned with tiags, fountains, gas, steam and plumbing fixtures. By an ingenious contrivance his fountains were operated as he passed along the streets and avenues, and attracted universal attention. The farmer, too, was represented in the precession. A four horse team, with wagon and long hay ladders, in which, either seated on the board at the bottom of the ladders or leaning against them, were men armed with pitch-forks The outfit had all the appearance of proceeding to the field for a load of hay, and was a gentle reminder tliat the harvest was at hand. Miss Pauline GraflF symbolized the Goddess of Liberty in the wagon containing the young ladies representing the thirteen States. This with citizens in carriages and on foot completed the procession which moved over a lengthy route to a field belonging to the P. R. R. company, located in the eastern suburbs of the city. In this field had been erected a grand stand for the use of the speaker and for other purposes. On reaching the stand, His Honor Mayor Gilland was elected to preside, who, having called the" immense assembly to order, delivered a brief and fitting address on assuming the (Oiair. The following Vice Presidents were elected : D. K. Ramev, John Brown, .lacob Renner, W. M. Bell, J. T. Christy, E. M. .Jones, F. J. McClain, A. Max- well, C. Uauser, .lohn Storm and Burgess McLanahan, of Tyrone. Secretaries — .fames H. Dysart, Wm. Stoke, H. L. Delo, Wm. Murray, H. N. Hederson, Mat- thew Dunn, H. Fettinger, Sr. Upon tiie completion of the organization the Altoona Baud rendered in elegant style "Hail Columbia." This was followed by the choir, organized for the occasion, under the leadership of Mr. T. W. Cole and Mr. H. b. Delo, organist, singing VVhittier's Centennial Hymn. This choir was composed of twenty-eight females and twenty-eight male voices. The Rev. .Ianr.es Cnrns, pastor of the Firt^t M. E. Church, then offered up an impressive and comprehensive praver which appears in full in this pamphlet. The choir then rendered " Hail our Country's Natal Morn," after which Geo. J. Akers, Esq., local editor of the Mikeor, read the Dt claration of Independence, in a clear and fonible manner. The choir then sung " My Country 'tis of Thee." Mayor (jilland introduced Judge John P. Blair, of Indiana county, as the orator of the dav. His address is the main feature of this book and will be read with interest. After the conclusion of the address, the Altoona City Band performed the en- gagement and rendered that popular air in fine style. The choir and audience sang "Old Hundred," with the long metre doxology, after which Rev. James Curns pronounced the benediction, and the vast assemblage dispersed. At three o'clock p. m. a severe rain and thunder storm set in, which drove every- body to seek shelter in-doors. While it had the eflect of cooling off the burning atmosphere, it sadly demoralized many of the decorations, particularly the Chinese lantf rns hung up for ornamentation during the day and illumination by night. When the storm had passed away, the streets assumed their wonted liveliness, and were filled to a late hour with a joyous and happy crowd. Many pla(;es throughout the city were handsomely illuminated with candles, gas and lanterns. Particulary worthy of notice were the gas-fitting and plumbing establisliment of Messrs. Durbotrow, Molloy and Stewart. The front of their respective houses were ornamented with a blazing star, surrounded by jets covered with red, white and blue globes, alternated. The twelve jets in front 28 of ilie Opera House ornamented alternately witli red, white and b'ue globes, and added largely to the scene on that portion of Eleventh avenue, so elaborately decorated with arches, wreathes, tla:>s, etc. But by tar the most commanding spectacle during the evening was that of St. John's Convent. Its eligible posi- tion, with its many and large windows all illuminated, excited the praise of every beholder. From foundation to roof, the convent was one pile of dazzling, brilliant splendor — a palace on fire within. The fireworks purchased by the wa}s and means committee did not reach the city in time to be used on the evening of the Fourth. However, the omission was well supplied by private parties and at several points in the city could be seen rockets traversing the sky and discliarging their showers ( f red, white and blue stars. From the Vigilant tower rockets, Roman candltis and other illuminating and spectral devices were set oif. as well as from the residence of General iSuperintendent Gardner, and at Alexander's music store, and Frank Molloy's place of business, on Eleventh avenue, and Messrs. Pitcairn, Fries and Patton's, on Fourteenth avenue. Geo. A. Patton's large ball on Twelfth street, made of the national emblem, was the centre of large attraction. S. I. Fritzs had thirteen red, white and blue bells in front of his hardware store, on Eleventh avenue, '" with their everlasting clack, set all men's ears upon the rack." Postmaster Stewart stirred the patriotic emotions of the residents on Fourteenth avenue, by executing tlie "Star Spangled Banner," ''Hail Columbia," and other popular airs on the ear- piercing fife. CORRESPONDENCE. Altoona, Pa., .Inly 14, 1876. Hon. John P. Blair, fndiana, Fa. Dear Sir: — In accordance with the insLructions of t!ie following resolution, passed at a late meeting of tlic Altoona Ways and Means Committee for the Cele- bratioirof the One Ilundredlh' Anniversary of American Inde- pendence, we liave the honor to request a copy of your speech for publication. llespectfuUy, etc., H. Row, Henry Fettinger, B. F. F^osE, Committee. ^'ReHoloed, 'Phat a committee of three be and are hereby appointed to tender the sincere tlianks of this organization, as well as of the community at large, to tlie Hon. John P. Blair for the able and patriotic address, delivered at our Centennial Celebration, July 4, 1876, and to respectfully request a copy of the same for publication in pnmphlet form." [Extracl from Mlnutex.'] F. P. Tierney, President. Attest: — W. J. Denninu, Secretary. Messrs. H. Row, H. Fettinoer and B. F. Rose, Committee. Gentlemen : — I have hesitated hi replying to your request, as my address was not written in full or with any view of publication ; but inasmuch as you desire to preserve it in a permanent form as part of the historical proceedings of the occasion, I shall not stand in the way of your wishes, and herewith transmit the manuscript. Respectfully, yours, John P. Blair. Indiana, Pa., August 7, 1876. I 1 LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 014 366 533 1