ORATION, 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE 
 
 AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 PRONOUNCED AT SALISBURY, 
 JULY FOURTH, 18ia 
 
 * • - ••"•: • 
 
 J ' 'BY JOSEPH OTIS OSGOOD, A.M. 
 
 9f ^.■ 
 
 Deus nobis haec oti^ fecit. Virg. Eel. 1 . 
 
 '■ ' ' 1 ' ■' u 
 
 PUBLISHED FOR THE SUSCRIEERS, 
 3Y W, AN.n ]. GILMAN-,..MIDDLE»STBEET-, 
 
 1810. 
 
I — X o iy 
 
 •5/69 
 
 — (WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOBOOOCOOOOOQOOOOOOOOVOO—^ 
 
 DoCT. Joseph O. Osgood, 
 
 Sir, 
 
 THE fubfcribers, having been appointed- 
 a committee for that purpofe, by a refpeclable number of the citi-- 
 y.ens of the towns of Salifbury and Amesbmy, afTociated to cele- 
 brate the anniverfary of their Independence, tender you their 
 thanks for your excellent Oration, tliis day pronounced, and 
 xequeft a copy for the prefs. 
 
 SAMUEL NYE, 
 EPHRAtM MORRILL, 
 BAILEY CHASE, 
 WILLIAM BARTLET, 
 SAMUEL MAPvCH, 
 LOWELL BAGLEY. 
 Salisbury, July 4, 1810»- 
 
 Salisburt^ July 4, 1810. 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 AN ardent defire to promote the harmony snd 
 happinefs of your aflbciation, which induced me to pronounce the 
 Oration, influences me to fubmit the fame to your polite requeil. 
 
 With high refpedt and efteera, 
 yQur obed't fervant, 
 
 JOSEPH O. OSGOOD, 
 
 Samuel Nye, esq. 
 Capt. Ephraim Morrill, 
 Capt. William Bartlet,. 
 Capt. Bailey Chase, 
 Samuel March, ESQ. 
 Mr. LCwell Bagley. 
 
 ■ ■-ocsoooooooqooocooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooodoooooooqqooooooooqo'^- 
 
 ;? 
 
ORATION. 
 
 FELLOir CITIZEN'S, 
 
 w, 
 
 ITH diffidence I address you on an occasiou 
 the most interesting-, the most noble, and sublime. The 
 celebration of our rights, freedom, and independence 
 ousfht to warm every heart, and infiame the coldest in- 
 sensibility with the sacred fire of patriotic love. 
 
 The speaker solicits your attention concerning' a 
 subject, as important, as your existence, and uhich in- 
 volves all your privileges, civib political, and religious. 
 
 On this memorable day, our delegates assembled 
 in Congress, made a solemn declaration, that we by 
 right, ought to be a free and independent nation. They 
 pledged their fortunes, their lives, and their sacred honor, 
 that they would defend their rights, protect their liberty, 
 and preserve them inviolate to their posterity. They 
 made this declaration, when our country afforded only a 
 melancholy scene of ruin, distress, and blood. They 
 supported atthattinne the glorious cause of liberty with- 
 out finances, without system, and unaided by foreign 
 alliance; yet the illustrious Washington led our 
 armies, and the Great Jehovah planted our ensign 
 pf renowned freedom. 
 
We will consider the nature of indepeiidenee, its 
 existence, and infiuence in foreign and ancient republics, 
 its origin in our own happy countrj^, and the most prop- 
 er means of supporting, and perpetuating th.is invalua- 
 ble blessing. 
 
 INlan possesses by nature pertain exclusive privi- 
 leges, such as these, the government and direction of 
 his domestic concerns. He may encourage merit by 
 revv-ard, and restrain vice by inflicting punishment. He 
 may regulate his finances in a manner, tl^t will be most 
 conducive to his interest; and the exercise, of these 
 privileges, constitutes his independence. 
 
 From an individual we jiiay draw a parallel be- 
 tween a number, a confederated nation ; they have 
 rights and privileges, which ought not to be controlled 
 by foreign power, and the enjoyment of those rights is 
 the basis of an independent government. 
 
 If the internal administratior^ of our republic should 
 be subjected to external direction, jt would exhib- 
 it a scene of anarch}^ confusion, and glaring Injus- 
 tice ; and it might be governed by every petty tyrant, 
 that despotic power might appoint, or intei^st suggest. 
 Instead of having just trials in our courts of equity by 
 an impartial jury, collected from the great mass of the 
 people ; we should be subject to partial inquiries, in 
 which the rights, libeity, and lives of our citizens might 
 be wantonly destroyed. 
 
 If we should be a dependent nation, the pride of 
 ambition, the love of glory, and the fire of genius, 
 would resemble the last gleam of the expiring taper, cu 
 the flitting light of the summer fire fly. 
 
Commerce, shackled by foreign restrictions, would 
 iangiii^li, the zeal of the agriculturist cease, if he should 
 be uncertain, wliether the same hand that sows, will 
 reap the field. 
 
 We will now survey antient and foreign republics, 
 contemplate the causes, which undermined their beauti- 
 ful fabric, subverted their independence, and overcloud- 
 ed the beams of their meridian glory; and thence draw 
 ^ parallel between tliem, and our own republic, and a- 
 void the sandy foundation on which, the fragile edifices, 
 of the former, have been erected. 
 
 Greece first attracts our atte^ition. Here several 
 sister states formed a firm union, cemented by glory, 
 patriotism, and liberty. 
 
 Here the arts and sciences obtained the summit of 
 fame, and the mind was distinguished for elegance, vi- 
 vacity, and profound judgment. 
 
 Sculpture arrived to that perfection, that the carved 
 marble almost spoke. The painted canvass imitated na- 
 ture so admirably, that the birds pecked the pictured, for 
 the substantial grape. 
 
 The eloquence of Greece was bold, enclinnting, 
 and sublime. A Grecian orator could attract the 
 hearts of an whole nation, and warm with the sacred 
 fire of eloquence their passions in the cause of glory^ 
 liberty, and -virtue. 
 
 The arms of the republic were its support, v.hen 
 opposed by the miUions of Persia. Leonidas and 
 his three himdred, who perished at the straits of Ther- 
 mopykT. in the defence of their country's riglits, shall be 
 remembered with respect, and adiniration, while patri- 
 misra elovvs in the human breai)t. 
 
Umled by virtue, iniited by arms, Greece existed 
 the p-lory, the terror, and the arbitress ot surrounding 
 nations. 
 
 Soon however, the weahli produced by their con- 
 .quests, foreign gold, intrigue, and corruption, internal 
 divisions, and jealousies, blasted all their rising, and glo- 
 rious prospects. When the ambition, and partial views 
 <3f one state militated against another, they became a 
 a prey to party rancor, and foreign influence, which se- 
 parated their interest, and foir.cnted jealousy to seize 
 upon their vitals, and riot in their destruction. 
 
 Long since, the Grecian power has ceased to exist, 
 snd we have only the melancholy evidence of history, 
 that the republic was once the pride c^ arts, the field of 
 eloquence, and the warriours glory. 
 
 From Greece the arts, and sciences removed their 
 abode to Rome. Here a republic vied with the former 
 in every quahty, which ennobles and improves the mind. 
 Home was celebrated for her virtue, her refinement, and 
 her knowledge. 
 
 Her conquests extended from the east, to the west, 
 from the ixjrth, to the south. All nations submitted to 
 her power, and bowed under her iron yoke. 
 
 Rome, however, soon lost her anticnt virtue, and 
 alhired by her wealth every bold invader, until the neigh- 
 bouring barbarians destroyed her influence, and subject- 
 ed her to an ignominious vassalage. She now exists 
 without power, deprived of liberty, and fallen into the 
 lap of effeminacy, luxury, and vice. 
 
 Independence and freedom have dwelt on the rug- 
 ged mountains of Snvitzerlaiid, fostered by ^ irtuc, by Ul- 
 
eratiire, and patriotic zeal. The Swiss republic, at pre- 
 sent, is only a name, and her hardy sons have, with 
 reluctance, and despair, submitted their rights, and lib- 
 erty to foreign direction. 
 
 When France assumed the republican form, our 
 hearts beat with ardor for a .nation, whose arms, and 
 jiavv had assisted us in the glorious cause of freedom. 
 With delight and aydmiration we beheld a great nation, 
 flourishing in arts, respectable in amis, abundant m 
 \^'ealt]l, and antient in monarchy, become united as a 
 republic. We anticipated a sister, who, with our 
 attire, would unite our virtues, and perpetuate her re- 
 publican fame to the latest posterity. Alas, our hopes 
 are frustrated, and we lament that France does not re- 
 semble our happy country ; and that instead of being 
 chastised by the whip oj monarchy ^ she is scourged \rf 
 the scorpion of despotic power. 
 
 We will now take a retrospective vitv/ of tlie rise 
 and progress of our independence, and republican farm. 
 
 Our revered ancestors, actuated by the glorious^ 
 principles of liberty of conscience, and religious forti- 
 tude, sought an asylum in the dreary wilds of Columbia; 
 I'hey despised the enjoyment of their native country, 
 the luxury of Europe, and the pride and cruelty of ec"~ 
 cleslastical councils ; v/hile for their religion tliey endur- 
 ed the hardship of penury, the severity of winter, and; 
 were exposed to savage man, and the more savage 
 beasts of the dreary desert. Although famine, danger^ 
 and death were their daily companions, yet they w ere 
 united, and trusted in God, v/ho conj,forted^ supportedj*. 
 and protected them*, 
 
Spring soon arrives, while ttie rose of Europe, and 
 tlie blooming wild rose of Columbia, like sister blos- 
 soms, vie mutually in vernal fragrance. 
 
 The nodding forest falls beneath the axe of the 
 woodman, and in the wild, where the wolf roamed for 
 his prey, the cultivated field smiles with a golcfen harvest. 
 Where the smoaking wigwam, of the ignorant savage, 
 appeared, we behold beautiful cities, and splendid 
 palaces. Where, the birchen canoe plied -^^ith its 
 slender paddles, the sails cf our ships whiten the shores 
 of our country. 
 
 Our savage neigbboxirs, although they sometimes 
 scalped the innocent victim, were obliged to submit to 
 the superior knowledge, and power of a civilized na- 
 tion, and buried the hatchet under the tree of peace. 
 
 Our commerce, agiiculture and fisheries united, as 
 sisters in mutual exertion, and our parent country be- 
 held with pride, and jealousy, a rival in her infant colo- 
 nic^. When she opposed our liberty, and curtailed our 
 T)rivileges, then the fire of patriotism blazed from the 
 Atlantic to our remotest setdements. We were united 
 in arms, united in glory, united in virtue. Our honest 
 patriots devoted their ease, their fortunes, and their lives 
 on the sacred alter of Independence. While history re- 
 cords^the annals of nations, while time is not buried in 
 the dark abyss of eternity, the memory of those heroes^ 
 ^yho fought, and bled in defence CiH\\<:\v couiitry's rights, 
 shall excite in every American bosiHn, the sensations of 
 ^fratitnde, respect, and /ove. ' ' 
 
 Who can recollect the battle of Bunker's hill, and 
 wot earnestly desire that the ammunition of his country- 
 
men had been as lasting, and their bayonets as pointed^ 
 as their minds were noble, and their hearts brave ? 
 
 Future generations shall speak with enthusiasm of 
 that bloody contest, and admire, revere, and love the 
 philanthropic Warren, and his little band oi patriots, who 
 fought, and expired on the hill devoted to independence. 
 When, the cause of liberty was deserted by some 
 of our most respectable citizens, our aiTny destitute of 
 convenience, and support, and reduced to an handful ; 
 then, the battle of Trenton illumined the hopes of our 
 desponding nation, and the banners of freedom were with 
 splendor unfolded to admiring empires. In the dark- 
 ness of the festive night, when the enemy were immersed 
 in mirth and wine, the little army of heroes crossed the 
 Delaware amid floating ice, exposed to piercing cold, 
 and expiring by fatigue, yet the conquered enemy soon 
 yielded their standard, and submitted with disgrace to 
 the ensign of freedom, and independence. 
 
 When, the army of Burgoyne ravaged the country 
 
 , from Canada to the Hudson, then, every brow was over- 
 clouded by sorrow, and every heart beat with anxiety. 
 Soon tlie gloom of despondency was dissipated, and the 
 
 ' fiame Oi freedom and independence darted like an electric 
 shock through Newengland, while her hardy, and rival 
 sons iiocked around our national standard. The fire of 
 our -musketry, like the fames of iEtna, blasted the ranks 
 of the enemy, until surrounded by devastation, slaugh- 
 ter, and blood, they submitted to the superiour force of 
 our renowned patriots, and glorious heroes. Then the 
 juoilee of victory <?C;^oed' through our vast republic, and 
 the stars of oftr union shone with vivid Ittsp-e, 
 
While we recognise those noble aciions, whicn-. 
 Hke a constellation, irradiate our independence, Wash- 
 ington awakens the memory of a grateful nation, the 
 father J i\\Q friend, and the saviour of his country. In 
 him were happily united the Avarriour, the statesman, 
 and the ardent patriot. 
 
 Victor}' attended his train, and his eloquent eve 
 looked dismay, and death to his foes, while to his friends 
 it spoke the language oi courage, success, ^xid glonj. As 
 a statesman, he was distinguished for his extensive know- 
 ledge, correct judgment, and independent perseverance. 
 The love of his country warmed his heart with a sacred 
 iire, for her he lived, for her he conquered, and his last 
 prayer breathed sl patriotic fame. WashinIgton stands 
 a vast pillar in the fabric of our independence, on which 
 the highest applause, the most ardent gratitude, and the 
 purest affection of every real patriot shall be sincerely^ 
 inscribed ! 
 
 With peace, and independence we possess a vast 
 extent of territory, diversified by difference of climate, 
 variegated by hill, and dale, and intersected by meander- 
 ing rivulets, and majestic rivers. The sun warms, il- 
 lumines, and cherishes our vast union when he arises 
 from the waves of the Atlantic, or laves his declining, 
 beams in the Western ocean. 
 
 Here, commerce holds an extensive sway, and na* 
 ture has selected us sons of the ocean. The Atlantic 
 Vi-ashes the eastern, and the Pacific the western shores 
 of our country. Commerce is one grand source of our 
 happiness, and independence. By her the agi-iculturist is 
 cncouragedj and his emulation excited to industry, know- 
 ing thut the surplus of his produce will find a ready mar- 
 
ket. When commerce flourishes, we have a constant 
 flow of wealth by which our governmental expences, and 
 necessary appropriations are easily satisfied ; when she 
 decays industry languishes^ the mechanical arts expire, 
 and penury stalks through our beloved country. 
 
 By the diffusion of wealtli there will be an exten- 
 sion of literature. When the man of science is chilled 
 bv penury, and anxious for a mere existence, you can- 
 not expect, that the spirit of his imagination will soar on 
 the wings oi Jame, or the fiie of his genius, like a re- 
 splendent comet, blaze through the arc of our western 
 horizon. 
 
 While the hardy, and enterprising son of Neptune 
 is excluded from his rightful empire, restricted to some 
 petty district, w -wretched in foreign prisons ; the sails 
 of our fleets will not luhiten the ocean, nor the Jlag of owr 
 unio7iivave in foreign climes. 
 
 Let the shackles of commerce be rejected, and every 
 gale will waft, to our shores, the means of supporting 
 peace, happiness, and independence. 
 
 The mechanical arts, although daily approaching 
 towards perfection, are .capable of much higher improve- 
 ment. Foreign artists should be encouraged to settle 
 among us, if we would rival Europe in the delicacy, 
 beauty, and perfection of our mechanism. Our govern- 
 ment endeavours to patronise genius, yet there ma}'- be 
 many unnoticed, and unrewarded Perkins, retired in 
 poverty, and pining by neglect. Persons of wealth would 
 encourage mechanics of merit, if they desire the pros- 
 perity and happiness of our country. If we should be 
 separated from Europe by the restrictions of comrnerce^- 
 we should experience the want of improved artists 
 
Sufler not the sound of the hammer to cease in the 
 workshop by tlie penury of the hand, that wields it, the 
 noise of the spindle to be silent, or the sword of inde- 
 pendence to rust, deprived of the skilful hands of the 
 polisher. 
 
 Agriculture in this country emulates her sister in 
 the old world in the variety, and abundance of her pro- 
 ductions. Our industrious, enlightened, independent, 
 and virtuous yeomanry stand the pride, the support, and 
 the fortress of our independence. 
 
 We have a constitution, and laws, admirably calcu- 
 lated for our support, protection, and happiness. Our 
 form of government has an executive possessing all the 
 force of monarchy, a senate all the wisdom, and judg- 
 ment of aristocracy, and a representation of the people 
 all the rights, and privileges of democracy. 
 
 Our judiciary are selected from the most enlighten- 
 ed of our citizens, who observe faithfully the wise, just, 
 and impartial administration of our laws. 
 
 The jury, for the trial of our property, our reputar 
 tion, and lives, are chosen from the great body of the 
 people ; and they are induced by every motive person- 
 al, civil, and religious, to render a just, true, and sincere 
 verdict. 
 
 How important our revolution, which has produc- 
 ed so invaluable, and extensive blessings ! Every citizen, 
 from the babe that lisps to the man venerable by years, 
 shall utter its applause, and with his most vigorous ex- 
 ertions support the liberty of his country. 
 
 Religion, literature, and union, form the three grand 
 pillars of our independence, and our political fabric, sup- 
 ported, upon their firm and durable bases, will stand un- 
 
moved to the latest posterity, and appear majestic amid 
 the ruins oi empires , and i\\^.< groans, and destruction of 
 expiring nations. 
 
 Without religion executive power would terminate 
 in despotic sway, our laws exist only rules of injustice, 
 and our country exhibit a melancholy scene of riot, and 
 confusion. Devoid of virtue, a magistrate would pro- 
 mote civil dissension, and be a curse instead of a bless- 
 ing to society. Of what force would the administration 
 of an oath be, if the person adjured should not believe in 
 the existence, and perfections of Deity ? The man, whose 
 conscience is not duly impressed by the rules of equitj^, 
 and justice, cannot be a good citizen, a good magistrate, 
 or a real patriot. 
 
 With the highest respect, and purest love for the 
 .lioly religion of the bible, we ought to venerate the minis- 
 ters of the sanctuary, and the ministers of God for good 
 to the nation. They are stationed on the watch tower of 
 our Jerusalem to defend, explain, and enforce by precept, 
 and example, the laws, and morals of that sacred religion, 
 which we profess, and upon which our hopes, of pres- 
 ent, and future happiness, depends. They form as vir- 
 tuous, enlightened, and respectable class of citizens, 
 as our country produces. Their task is arduous to at- 
 tend, in a social, friendly and religious manner, their 
 parochial duties, to soothe the anguish of the dying pen- 
 itent, to comfort the weak, yet humble christian ; to in- 
 form their own minds, and impro\'e their hearts for the 
 duties of their exalted station, by study, meditation, and 
 sanctity. During our revolutionary struggle, and ardent 
 exertion for liberty, our venerable clergy from their sa- 
 ci-ed desks comforted, warmed, and encouraged the 
 
^arts of real patriots. To their exertion, their ardor, 
 -and their religious fortitiule, no small share ought to be 
 attributed among the variety of causes, which produced 
 our freedom, and independence. 
 
 The culti\ation of literature, and the diffusion of 
 knowledge is the evidence of a free, and independent na- 
 tion. Where, the galling chains of slavery oppress, and 
 the iron sceptre of despotism bears sway ignorance is the 
 prevailing characteristic. 
 
 It is of the utmost importance for a representative 
 of the people to be acquainted with the laws, politics, and 
 constitution of his country, if he v/ould support die 
 rights, and privileges of his constituents. Nature has 
 not constituted so great difference among the human fa- 
 mily, as many suppose ; and often the finest genius is 
 buried in obscurity, while by cultivation it might have 
 shone in the senate, or have guided a nation to glorya 
 liberty, and virtue. 
 
 Although knowledge and science are rapidly extend- 
 ing their mild, and cheering influence through our hap- 
 py land, yet some improvement might be introduced 
 into our public schools. They are generally encumber- 
 ed by such multitudes, that fatigue and vexation are the 
 lot of instructors, without that advantage to students, 
 ^vhich might be obtained by some other method. Suf- 
 ficient attention is not given to the qualifications, and 
 morals of instructors. If an ignoramus, a mere novice 
 in his profession be appointed to guide, and instruct your 
 children, }'ou cannot suppose, that they will be more in- 
 formed, than their paster. If an instructor be guilty of" 
 glaring \'ices, or destitute of sound principles ; what a 
 dreadful^ and pernicious example for the youthful mind ! 
 
I^ his pupils should not imbibe his vices, and swalloiv^- 
 poisonous draughts from the corrupt fountain ; yet they 
 will liighly disrespect his conduct, and his instructions 
 will lose their influence. v 
 
 Female education has been neglected from the erro- 
 neous idea,- that learning is unnecessary for the fair sex, 
 or that they are incapable of mental improvement. 
 Since their mode of education has been improved, we 
 behold them the ornament of science, the bloom of liter- 
 ature, and the refinement of man. It is of the utmost 
 importance that the female mmd should be cuhivated, if 
 you would possess agreeable pai'tners^ rational friends^ 
 2Li\d faith ful instructresses^ for your tender offspring. 
 
 While religion meliorates the heart, and education 
 refines the mind there must be union of &entiment, ta 
 constitute the durability of our happiness, and indepen- 
 dence^ Every citizen should exist a real patriot. The 
 interest of a party should not be the predominant princi- 
 ple. Would we sincerely desire the interest, and glory 
 of our country, we should select those men from either 
 party to fill our most important offices, who would be 
 friends of science, patriotism, and virtue. It is neces- 
 sary, that there should be a proper degree of vigilance 
 among the members of an independent state, yet toa 
 great jealousy of our rulers will only excite distrust, and 
 weaken their exertions. 
 
 The interest of one state does not militate againsi; 
 another, their object is the same die support of the grand 
 confederacy. Separated we^a// an easy prey to the con- 
 qiieror^ united we oppose a world in armsy and the blaze 
 of our swords shall kindle around the banner of our 
 Independence a sacred Jiamey which shall devour the 
 enemies of our country ! 
 
 It is impolitic, and injures our interest as a neutral 
 nation to discover partiality for either of the belligerent 
 powers. Alliances, with European nations, so far as 
 
commerce is coiicernccl, are of high importance ; yet, :.?i 
 we value our peace, interest, and happiness, we shall n6: 
 unite witli iiationd whose trade is havoc, ruin, aud blood. 
 Willinsjrlv Avould Eni^liirtd restore to her crown the Sicm, 
 she has lost by the independence of her once oppressed 
 colonics ; and France, with similar pleasure, afl'ord us 
 the first rank among her obedient provinces, and subju- 
 gated republics. 
 
 Should the European powers imprison oiu' seamen, 
 burn our ships, bombard our cities, and murder our cit- 
 izens, let us not tamely submit onrfredom, and rights ; 
 but with the thunderbolts of an effective navi/^ "we will 
 ^jhiver the trident of the oeean, andimth the points of our 
 hayonets oppose tlie terror of empires^ and sacrifice our 
 lives on the altar of tat Rio risUj liberty, and i^- 
 
 DEPENDENCE ! 
 
 Although, ^\ith pleasure, we contemplate the grand 
 interest of the union, with delight, /eZ/ow citizens, I con- 
 gratulate you on the present friendly, and happy assot i- 
 ;uion. We are united b}- kindred, united by interest ; 
 let us be united by affection, united by patriotism. Suf- 
 fer not the harsh invective of party spirit to embitter our 
 endearing connexion, destroy the ties o^ friendship, and 
 extinguish the flame of love. May this social imion be 
 perennial, and perpetuated to the latest posterity. May 
 this be recollected, as a day of temperance, patriotism, 
 and virtue ; and when the union of societies, states, and 
 empires shall be forever dissolved, may we form a ttnioji 
 of glory and happiness in the VEAQEinL and majestic 
 
 r.MFIIlE OF ETERNAL BLISS 1