Excerpt from History of Pike County: A Centennial Address Delivered by Hon. William a Grimshaw, at Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois, July 4, 1876 With gratitude to Almighty God, who ruleth the destinys of na tions, as of individuals, we welcome this our Nation's Birth day. This Centennial day brings evidence to us of the wisdom and foresight of the Fathers of this National Government. How proud we all should and do feel that we are one illustrious, powerful nation, and not divided into jealous, intriguing states; as a people, free as the air we breathe, we are yet bound with the cords of Nationality to the great idea of our Fathers. Expressed by a Patriot. The Union, one and inseparable. Free as to all our indi vidual rights and with no encroachment upon our rights as citizens of Illinois, or of any other State Subject to the universal law of civilization, which requires restraint on the actions of individuals, in furtherance and protection of the general good of our fellow men. Long may we love, cherish and protect our United States, and love with our hearts' devotion the Flag of our Fathers, the emblem of our great and glorious nation, renowned to earth's remotest bounds. The office of historian for this occasion was conferred by the Committee, appointed by a meeting, as will be seen by the published report thereof, to be annexed to the proceedings of this day. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.