Rhode Island Republican

For the Republican.

" Let this day
Stand aye distinguished in the calendar
In the last syllable of recorded time."
SHAKSPEARE.

To periodically commemorate the great day of happiness. is pertinent and laudable. It has its origin in a principle which claims the approbation of angels--benevolence to the race of man. To see the evils which have long been a whole country, vanish at once before eternal justice and the laws of nature, in a circumstance which inspires the virtuous mind with supreme delight. Its contemplation dilates the heart of sensibility with generous and exalted emotions, and thrills the liberal breast with indescribable sensations--touched by the spirit of refinement.

Among those important changes which have occurred in the progression of time,none more demand commemoration than that which gave birth to liberty in this western world. The auspicious day which saw the chains of British Slavery burst asunder, and the fabric of Independence reared upon the ruins of vice and monarchy, ought to be held in sacred remembrance by every citizen who boasts the name of freedom. Its anniversary becomes highly requisite --being of great advantage to the cause for which america contended. It awakens the ardor of patriotism, and preserves the impressions of that principle whose exertion secured our immunities, and made the throne of the political beast tremble to its centre. It likewise manifests our adherence to the object of the revolution, and displays to the nations of Europe our firm union in defence of our country's rights.--

But to the dishonor of particular towns, this day is seldom or never noticed. Its annual return excites not the sounds of joy. Not a tongue is heard to chant the grateful name of liberty, nor a cheerful voice to tell the glad tidings of Independence. A disgusting silence reigns around. All appears like the predominance of dullness-- the calm triumph of apathy. While the thunder of exploding cannon, echoing from a distance, breaks upon the stillness of morn, loudly inviting the sons of freedom to join the festive band, many are devoutly hugging the sluggish pillow, and snoring the matin hymn of Morpheus. Some, again, whose ungenial " bosoms none of the noble passions warm," are moving like automatic figures to their daily occupations, while others stalk the streets with idiot gaze, or remain overwhelmed with confusion, envy, and despair, like the subjects of reprobation amidst the favored regions of saints, and ascending songs of celestial praise.

To trace the causes of this, is not the object of the present observations. Sufficient it at this time to barely enumerate toryism, which still beholds our form of government with a malignant eye--inveteracy against the administration--ignoble views of avarice and self-interest--party implacability --bigotry, and stupid ignorance. These causes, accompanied, perhaps, with many others, the result of local contingency, prevailing over the minds of the greater proportion of the people, will in any place, impede or eventually hinder the celebration of our Independence, and national Sovereignty. This is not unfrequently the case.--There are places from which the returning beams of this day was never hailed--- places in which the joyous paeans of liberty were never heard. Yet these same places are remarkably distinguished for electioneering contests, and party vociferations. The mere sounds of Federal or republican seem to give energy to

the soul which genius could never move—to rouse into action faculties which might have lain forever dormant without the aid of such political stimuli. But even this is too many times affected by the impulse of mechanical force, derived from some political agent, or is the deplorable operation of perverted intellects, constituting a species of mania not mentioned by nosological writers.

ALCIBIADES.