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July 4th [1817]
We had a meeting appointed in Forsyth
street Church. As this was the anniversary of our
independence as a nation, great preparations were underway
to celebrate the event, by the political parties, the play
actors, the Hucksters, the gardeners, by the military &c.
Taking my two oldest sons, I went to a neighbor's in the
morning, to view the military parade, which, indeed made a
noble appearance. They were reviewed by the Governor.
However others might have been affected with this scene, my
own mind was very solemnly affected. I could but weep while
I beheld the youth of our country, clad in military
accoutrements, neatly and richly dressed, hailing the
auspicious morning which gave birth to a nation. The
situation of our Fathers in 1776, their heroism, their
intrepidity, and their perseverance, in achieving the
independence of our country, was brought to my recollection
producing emotions of soul truly indescribable — Some of
them delightful — But then, while beholding this parade, I
could but reflect, on the melancholy fact, that war, is
necessary in this present state of human society, to defend
each others rights from the infringements of unjust lawless
men. How awful the spectacle, thought I, were these men
drawn up in line of battle, to meet a depredating foe! How
many valuable lives would be sacrificed to justify the
ambition of a few individuals. How many mothers would weep!
How many children would become fatherless! How many widows —
How many brothers and sisters torn from their affectionate
relatives — Good Lord! what heartrending service. Are these
things then necessary! Are these thy glories O men! Are they
not rather melancholy evidences of the wickedness of human
beings? Were there no disposition to infringe upon the
rights of another, that other would need no means of defense
— of course no weapons of war — and therefore sheding [sic]
of human blood would be at an end. How excellent then is
Christianity. It teach[es] us to do justly, as well
as to love mercy and to walk humbly with God [Micah
6.8]. Were it
then universally embraced, as all injustice, and
unmericfulness would cease, so war would be done away, the
implements of war would perish, these costly parades would
silently retire fortifications, (the nation's glory, and
mankind's greatest reproach!) demolished, gun, shot, and
powder, magazines, factories and magazines removed, lawyers rendered
useless, judges superseded, wickedness is swept from the
earth. From what an enormous load, which now makes many a
poor man sweat and groan, would the world be exonerated!
These were some of the thoughts which passed through my
mind. I then, in company with a friend,
walked to church, and heard an excellent discourse, somewhat
appropriate for the occasion. Here my mind was fed, and led
to a devout acknowledgement of the hand of God, who is the
sacred author of all our blessings; and that of our
independence among others.
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