Independent thoughts

The Southeast Missourian

On Friday, Americans across this great land and throughout the world will find ways to celebrate Independence Day. Here are two items of interest that reflect the spirit of the occasion:

Why I want to be an American

Missouri Supreme Court Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr. of Cape Girardeau, who will become a U.S. district judge on Aug. 1, is a member of the Rotary Club of Cape Girardeau. From time to time he is asked to deliver the invocation at the club's weekly meetings.

Members have marveled at the eloquent and uplifting words of prayer he has delivered on such occasions.

At this week's meeting, Judge Limbaugh offered a prelude to his invocation that is worth paraphrasing as the United States of America marks the anniversary of its founding.

Limbaugh started by recounting the concerns Americans have: an unpopular war, an economy in or near recession, skyrocketing gasoline prices, flooding.

He contrasted those concerns with those of immigrants on the path to U.S. citizenship, noting that a naturalization ceremony is scheduled for July 11 at the Rush Hudson Limbaugh Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Cape Girardeau.

Americans looking for a reason to celebrate on the Fourth of July need only consider what they would desire most if they were not U.S. citizens. They need only consider what motivated the nation's newest citizens, who will be sworn in July 11 by Limbaugh's father, U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh Sr.

It is sobering to think about the blessings of American citizenship from the perspective of those who will soon see their dreams of becoming Americans come true.

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The Missouri Press Association is planning a big party July 12 in Boonville, Mo., to mark the 200th anniversary of the first newspaper in the state. It was the Missouri Gazette, published by Joseph Charless in St. Louis, then part of the Louisiana Territory. In Boonville, the State Historical Society of Missouri's Missouri History in Performance Theater will present a play, "The Editor Is Absent: Tribulation & Triumph in Missouri's Pioneer Press," by Boonville playwright Mary Barile.

A reproduction of the July 26 edition of the Missouri Gazette has been widely circulated by the press association, and it is fascinating. The newspaper is heavy on news about shipping, both commercial and military, which was so crucial to the early fortunes of this new nation.

But one of the most interesting pieces is on Page 3 of the four-page newspaper, under the heading "Patriotic Effusions."

The patriotism of 1808 will be familiar to today's Americans who savor the best of their citizenship. Here is the Missouri Gazette's account:

Patriotic Effusions

The Anniversary of American Independence, has been celebrated by a number of respectable inhabitants at the village of Harrison, in the Indiana Territory. In the forenoon the audience had the pleasure of having an appropriate Oration from Thomas Todd, Esq. and an Ode from Shaddrack Bond, jun., Esq. at 3 o'clock in the afternoon the company set down to an excellent dinner, prepared by Capt. Washburn, when after the usual time and arrangements, the following toasts were drank; the utmost hilarity and urbanity, as well as harmony and order prevailed.

1, The day we celebrate. — May it ever be held sacred by Americans.

2, The people of the United States. Sovereignty and strength are theirs & usurpation shall bow before them.

3 The constitution of the United States. — Our great entrenchment; but useless if we defend it not.

4, May we never sacrafise our national patriotism, at the shrine of avarice.

5. The President of the United States [Thomas Jefferson], whose humane and upright conduct, like a fortress on a rock, has stood unshaken.

6. The Vice-President of the United States [George Clinton].

7. The citizens of the Indiana Territory. -- May they soon be relieved from the yoke, by being able to go into a state government.

8, Governor Harrison. — May he continue by his upright conduct, to deserve the approbation of all good men, and by his wisdom to defeat the malice of his enemies.

9. Benjamin Parke, our late delegate to congress — Any encomium on his known republican character from us, would be unnecessary.

10. The everlasting memory of those departed heroes, who fought and bled in freedoms cause.

11. The American Fair [a reference to the fairer sex]. — May they be prudent maids, loving wives, tender mothers and exemplary matrons.

12. Destruction to all combinations against the Rights of Man.

15. The virtuous and enlightened James Madison.

14. Our sister territories. — May their increase of population soon enable them to become free and independent state governments.

VOLUNTEERS

By S. Bond, jun. Esq The American Fair — May they press to their bosoms none but freemen, and spurn from their embraces the followers of vice and corruption.

By Thomas Todd, Esq, The Liberty of the Press — May it never be violated by Americans.

By Samuel Hammond, jun. the Embargo. — "It has taken from violence the lure of interest; it has dashed the philter of pillage from the lips of rapine."

By Mr. Boyse. — Success to those who speed the plough and flail.

By Col. Atcheson. — May American bravery, ever be opposed to British knavery.

By Col. Atcheson, — Success to those who follow the plough, and earn their living by the sweat of their brow.

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On this Independence Day, look to those earnest forefathers who found good reason, two centuries ago, to mark the day with pride and with the fervor of their beliefs.