• cs^;?^.*.'' . o \..^'^' ; '^^• ;t^' /\ i*^ '-^' •.- .^ .'^^^.% \^^,^- /Jl^-, «.^^^^* , • »^' ■**."^\#' -q^'^-^^O^ V^^->' ^o '. % • ^^u^','^' . .y^^. ;. '"^AO^ «>,^'..o' ^^- a%U y^ XTT"* 9j«^ KEEN I ORATION, JULY 4. 181 J. / AN ORATION, 2^ DELIVERED IN ^2-^^ ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, CHARLESTON, S0UTH-CAR0LL>J A ; OiV TUESDJr, THE FOURTH OF JVLr, 1815 % IN COMMEMORATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE; BY APPOINTMENT OF THB SOUTH-CJROLINA ^TATE SOCIETY OF CINCINNATI, Anci puhlljhed at the Requeft of that Society j AND ALSO OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION SOCIETY. BY CHRISTOPHER R. GREENE, A Member of the Cincinnati. CHARLESTON.- PRINTED BY W. P. YOUNG, No. 44, BROAD-STE.EET, 1815. 1215 • 1 ^\ /K ^^^^^^^^i^^'- {J3^ The following 'pages were composed at sJiort notice ; and the portion of time allotted^ was inces- santly interrupted hy mercantile avocations. The author^ however, found, and he hopes ever to find, a resource and an incentive in the most generous friendship. There are faults, . which he had not time to amend — there are passages, which he has not talents to improve. In yielding to the polite request of Ms friends of the American Revolution Society, and of his Brethren of the Cincinnati^ he is confident that every indulgence will be shown him, which friendship can either desire or bestow. Time will never obliterate from his heart the im- pression of their kindness — and in the land where '' the stranger finds a home" — where the deeds of valor and patriotism are blended with the mild and endearing virtues, he may indulge a hope, that his motives will be duly appreciated, and his faults be generously consigned to oblivion, " For the bright wreaths that other days have graced, ** Entwined by Genius, and matured by Talle ; " Accept the humble offering 1 beftow, *' Of flowers, that wither in the day, they -blow/* A 2 ORATIOM. &c. Friends and Fellow-Citizens. This is the birth-day of our Republic, It was born of the fpirit of Liberty — cradled amid the councils of Wiidom — and nurfed in the arms of Valor. It defcended from an unnatural Pa« rent, who, like Saturn, attempted to deflroy its own ofTspring. But flill it flourifhed. Earth yielded it her treafures — Ocean was its barrier and its mine; and its infant flruggles for exift- encewere crowned with vi61ory and fame. How many patriot hearts bled for its prote61ion — how many fainted fpiriis hovered over it in the hour of danger ! The brave men of the Eafl came to fight its battles; for the foul of chivalry delights to defend the weak, and refcue the oppreft. It flourifhed beyond hope or expe6lation. The firft link that tyranny forged to enflave it^ was fevered by its fword; and difdaining' to follow in leading firings an arbitrary, unkind and defpotic parent, it aflbmed the Independent flation, for which na- ture had defigned it. The tear of filial piety marked the feparation. It embarked on an unknown ocean, without chart, or compafs, or beacon — it efcapcd the quick-fands — it furvived the tempeft, and the fu- perintending Providence of Heaven ctndu61ed it in fafety to the Haven of Peace. A 3 And fnall not this Nation annually revert to the perilous and intcrefting Icenes of its youth? Shall there be no day fet apart; v/hen all private and felfifh avocafions (hall ceafe — When the altars of Patriotlfni (hall burn with univerfal incenfe — V/hin the aged flia!! perceive that their lervices a»"e remembered, and the young fhall learn how to ierve their country — When we fhall renew the .vows of Freedom in the prefence of the Cod of Empires ? Yes^ inch a day has been appointed by the common confcnt of this whole people, and this morning heard it proclaimed by the wel- come of arhllery from Orleans to Flattsbnrg. Hear our rejoicings, and receive onr thanksgiv- ings, O thou Omnipotent Ruler of Nations, and while other countries groan under thy wrathful indignation, <^rant us eternal U.nion^ Liberty and Peace ! The picture of the revoluiioiih^i's, been fo often, and fo ably drawn — its lights and (hades fo hap- pily blended — that any attempt to imitate it, would be dangerous — any hope to amend it def- perate. Its colours live in the memory; and its imprefiiori is transferred to the heart. But if there be any Itranger in this affembly, who has not yet heard the glowing narrative of our early fufferings and achievements; let him imagine thai he fees before him a mighty and vi61;orious nation, affailing with fleets and armies, a young and almod uncivilized people — witliout fkill in .rrts or arms — altc.c;\:iher unprepared for the con* ilicl — called from the purfuits of Agriculiure to defend their foil from invafion. Their foil, alas is fertile in noxious weeds, which cmbarrafs their ef- forts; and it is crimfoned with blood alike by external and by internal foes. AH the horrors of war furround them. The fervant betrays — the favage daughters — the civilized would enflave them. Chains are forged for them abroad — fcalping-knives await them at home. They fuf- fer — they perfevere — they triumph ! Their caufe is juft — their leaders are wife ; and when they lofe a warrior on earth, they gain an advocate in Heaven. The armies of the invader are made captive — his fleets are vanquifhedand return with ihattered fails — the fhadows of flavery are difper- fed — and the fun of liberty fheds its tranquil luftre on a delighted people. Who would fuppole, that ever again the inva- der would attempt to pollute our land? He might come, as many have come, to flourifh in the fun- Ihine of freedom ; but who would fuppofe him rafh enough to indulge the hope, that he could quench its heat or fplendor? He feems to have forgotten the pad — will he forget the prefent? Will time again obliterate learning, and render experience ufelefs ? The f^me lelTon has been renewed at New-Orleans, which was taught at York-Town ; and Packenhani abandoned with his life an enterprize^ which Cornwallis lived to abandon. Let it not be fuppofed, that the American Ke- volution difplayed merely that bravery and love, of country, which were fo confpicuous in Us progrefs. It was a fchocl for ilatefmen, as well as foldiers. In their modes of thinking and a61ing — 8 in their fpeculations on law and government, vera exhibited boldnefs and originality. Our rulers had no imaginary guardian, with whom they fecretly converfed. They fought not ^nih Numa the grove of ^.geria — but feemed to hold communication, like Franklin, with Heaven. They colle61ed and concentrated the light of ages. Their deliberations produced the Conftitution of the United States — the bed fyftem of govern- ment, ^vhich human ingenuity has ever devifed — the only fyflem, under which liberty can be fecure. The wifdom of Solon was furpaflfed— the vifions of Plato were realized, when the Federal Conftltution, like a fecond Minerva, fprang into life and beauty. What is the phantom of Spanirti liberty, for the purchafe of which fo much blood and treafure have been expended? What is it, but the liberty of being tortured on the rack, or mingling the lafl (igh of life with the fmoke, that enfhrouds the flake of fuperftition ? What is the liberty of France, except that of being a confcript, and bleeding for the glory of the Defpot, who governs it ? What, even in England, is the boafled libert^y of the fubje6l, often betrayed by the Commons, and oppreffed by the Ariftocracy of the country, of which the moft elevated is unfortunately the mod corrupt? All thefe governments are founded on the abfurd and revolting idea, that genius and virtue are hereditary ; and that the Almighty has limited the talent of governing to fome eight or ten families of the human race. To vecoiuU all the immunities which we enjoy, and to praife as it deferves this monument of pohtical wisdom, is necefTarily denied me. It ihould howevci' form the Audy of thofc, who as- pire to govern this, or enlighten other nations. In other countries, govcrnmcntr, have been formed by accident, by fraud, or by force ; by the acquiesence of the many, in the usurpations of the few. But in this favored land, by the coiieciive virtue, the difpaffionate and delibe- rative wifdom, of patriots and fages. They faw the tempeftuous ocean of the paft, over vv'hofe furface fo many meteors had rifen, glittered and fallen; and they extended over the wetlern world, the arch of promife and of glory. It will only hde away and mingle with the fhadows of fallen greatnefs, where thq rays of Public Viktue, fhall ceafe to illumine the materials that compofe it. It is only when we ceafe to be virtuous, that we Ihall ceafe to be Free. It is the misfortune of monarchy, that on the chara61er of the Sovereign, depends the happinefs of the people. It is this confidera- tion which renders the fate, the vices, the fall of Kings, fo painfully interefting. The events of a century furnifh a commentary on mon- archical government, which hiflory has written in tears. Contemplate for a moment the con- dition of thole unhappy beings, who come to vex ihe world with fceptres and v^ith crowns. There is a tremejidoas inliability in their great- nefo ! Where is the crown, that has not fallen ? B lO Where the (hrone, that has not bluflied with the blood of its fo\ foreign ? Where the people who have enjoyed either PEACE or FREEDOM ? Europe has bled, it has proiufely bled for Li~ berty — it has only changed its Tyrants. The diadem, continues to be a crown of thorns to the Prince — the fccptre, a fcourge to the fub- jed. It cannot be necetTary to dilate on fuch a theme inordcrconfirm yourattachment toourown free government. Spain, Holland, Italy, Poland — and the verdant Ille, where genius and valor have won every thing but freedom where humanity weeps over violated rights, with the virtue that Ihould redeem them! Thefe all arife in their forrows before you. We will not lift the veil that conceals their tears. But let us refolve to cherifh and transmit, the principles and virtues, which have converted a wildernefs into an Eden, and to prote6l equally the flowers that adorn, the beauty that endears, and the Freedom that has chofen it, as her lad and favorite abode. We cannot, my countrymen, ftanding on the enviable eminence which we have attained through the toil of the heroes of 'T6 — we cannot be infcnfible of their claims to our remembrance and gratitude. No man fhould remain in obfcurity, who has aided in erc6iing the fabric of our liber- ties. No man fhould pine in indigence, who has fought the battles of his country. And here we nrc led by fympathy to our recent war — to the contemplation of thofe g:\llant fpitits^ the illuf- trious compeers of the heroes of the revolation. n who have (gained a new, an abundant harveH: ol renown. The War has given ftrength and fplen- dor to the chain of Union. Every link exhibits the luftre of the diamond. Local feelings are abforbcd in the proud feelings of an American, Every flate, every city in the Union, may boaft fome champion of the public rights, who has ennobled his name by his deeds; and if any where the tear ftill flows on the urn of unfortunate va- lor, there the laurel mingles with the cyprefs. — What American is not proud of Perry and M'Do- NOUGii— of Jackson and Macomb? Who is there fo much in love with life, that he would not die, to flcep, like Pikk, on the flag of the enemy — or, like Lawkence, bleed on his own? Chippewa, Niagara and Erie, fhall live in liifi;ory, with Mara- thon, Salamis and Platx, monuments of Repub- lican (kill and prowefs. The ancient Republics, wei'e at once brave and ungrateful. Thev rewarded their benefactors with lufpicion, and exiled their deliverers. And I grieve to think there (hould be any imitation on our part, of a trait like this. I grieve to think that many of our meritorious officers, whofe fidelity and valor have made them cripples, lliould therefore be difcharged from the protec- tion of the nation they have ferved. Our cfcut- cheon mufl: not be difgraced by fuch a flain. Individual or public generofity, muft redeem and teftore it. The economy which blights virtue, deferts valor, and leaves the heart which ha;i bled for its country, without the means of fub- B 2 12 iiflence, can never receive the fandion of a patriotic people. The events of the late war have been cheering to the Patriot, and glorious to the country. Americans have contended with the veterans of Europe, and have triumphed. Statesmen rejoicCj that our national government is fufficiently ener- getic to prote6l, but not to opprefs the people ; that it can fuftain the rudeil fliocks of war, as well as diffufe the bleffings of peace— that it is equal to all the exigencies of ftate, and worthy of all the afle6iions of a generous and high minded people. In an age of revolutions, it has remain- ed ftable and firm ; *' Free, Sovereign and Inde- pendent.'* The example of one nation, feemed to obtrude upon the recoiling vifion of human- ity, to profcribe Republics — the patient forbear- ance of another, almoft to degrade them. But the day of humiliation has palTed avva^/, never to return. The glory of our Republic, now burfts on the averted vifion of kings, glitters on the fragments of their fceptres, and amid falling crowns and exiled monarchs,beam§ with the influ- ence o( Hope over fubje^led nations h has re- moved the veil, which during a peace of thirty years, the arrogance of Europe, had thrown over the gigantic features of America. The cloud has vanifhed from the biMghtncfs of her courfe. On the ocean, and on the land, fucccfs has crowned our arms with equal luRre. The thun- ders of Niagara, which feemed to roll like its waters from Erie, are re-echoed from the Mil- iiiTippi; and the '' Northern Light'' which IS undulates on the Atlantic and the Lakes, is refieci- ed from the vi61orioiis Ihields of the South. The defence of Nkw-Orlea>ts, hasattra6led the admiration of the vrorld, and dcfcrves a monu- ment of renown " sere perennius." What is not due to that confummate (kill and valor, which met, vanquifhed, repelled, exiled from our iliores the conquerors of Europe, flufhed with recent triumph, and panting for new fpoils ? No man can eflimate the deliverance, who does not perceive the danger. look, my friends, at the iituation of that city, on the eve of the day, when its fate was decided It is an awful moment of preparation and fufpenfe. The heart of the pa- triot bleeds — the foldier looks forward almoft without hope — the mother clafps her infant in her arms in fpeechlefs agony, and the cloiller refounds with the prayers of Innocence, fuing 1o the Almighty for protection from difhonor. To- morrov/, that child may bean orphan — that mo- ther awidow — and the fan^uary where Innocence and Beauty retire for fafety, and Piety for devo- tion, may be profaned and violated by a licentious foldiery. Tomorrrow may behold that city defo- late — its defenders ilain — its ilreets deluged with blood — Tomorrow may fee the flag of the enemtf tvaving-^ Oh no! it never was deftined for fuch a triumph I The day of carnage dawns, and the noife of artillery awakens the morning. The Sun rifes on plains already red, and ftrives in vain to pencrrate the fmokc o! i),attle. The columns of the enemy advance, /ilcnt and terrible, certain B 5 H of conquerr. What liave the viclors [of Thouloufe to fear fi-onl an Uiidifciplincd Jiordc of militia, collecied promifcOoufly like leaves, among the 'weftern woods ? What are the entrenchments of New-Orleario^ to the walls of St. vSebaftians? For once they are deceived — the tide of vi6iory turns againlt them. They have to encounter in that fmall and defiiltory band, the fpirit of patriotifm, and the fpirit of Liberty, enthufiaitic from def- pair. Behind thofe feeble lines, are the ram- parts which the Almighty rears, around the breaRs of Frei?.mfa% Infpired by lofty and heroic fenti- mcnts, and roufed to deeds of valor by the ex- ample of their leader, the American militia Hay,, rout ard difperfe, the difciplined troops of Great- Britain. The Lion crouches in the grafs— the Eaj>le foars to LIcaven ! Scarcely one of our fol- dicrs fails in battle — while the field is covered ^vith the Englifli dead. That city, lately full of grief and terror, now refounds with thankf- giving and joy. Every eye beams with tranfport, every heart glows with gratitude — and genius and beauty weave the fong and the wreath, for the defenders of their country. — ■ AllD THEY SHALL LIVE FOR EVER. CcmpalTiGn is the foul of valor, and the firft care of the victors, is generoully dirccled to the vanquiflied, to foothe the v/ounded and the dying. Let us not then, reprcfs the tear of manly fympa- thy, for thofe gallant foldiers of tlio enemy, who ihall never again revifit, the land of their anceftois, Britain ihall wafh with tears, the tablet that re« cords the battle of New-Okleans. ^5 The fca, once glaring on the dark bofom ot iTiidnight, \vith the conilagration oT our defence- lefsCoinmcrcC;, is now luminous with the exploits of our galiaut Navy. Ihe wave:, as on the fhield of Achilles, lecms to roil in gold. Our ocean battles, are witliout a parallel, and deferveall the celebrity which genius can beitow. The hero and the artift, indeed auiil form an alli- ance, if they would descend to poiterity. The fmokc of battle foon ascends, and is invifible. If arrciled by the painter, it remains for ever on the canvas. The bay on the brow of the con- queror, droops and withers. The waters of^Helicon muft rellore and preferve it. The Chieftain himfelf moulders into duft— the fculptor.muflraife him to live in bronze and marbre — the glory of the pad — the model of the future. Many a field of renown, and manyaiield of valor, are unnoticed becaufe unfun The Mufes have defcended to eulogize the triumphs of the Britifh flag — Americans have humbled it : Valor has torn it from the mafl:. The waves have covered it. The '^ meteor flag of England/* has faded and fallen. And fliall not American Genius, walking on the Vt'aves where flie triumphs, flrike the harp of David, when Gollah is overthrown ? Our infant Navy has yet another field, in which the Patriot may ferve his country, and the valiant gain renown. It goes to punifh the atrocious cruelties of the Tyrant of Algiers, and to infcribe letters of glory, on the columns of Hercules. It goes to civilize the lavage ; to fcoiirge the in- iidel ; io deflroy the opprefibr ; to gain new triumphs for the Crofs, and for mankind. Shame oil the warriors of Europe, that a petty African pirate, fliould fo long and with fuch impunity, have trampled on the rights and independence of nations. Here wat : rufade, worthy of chriflian and enlightened Princes. Here was au occa- iion, where war might be waged without crime, md battles v/on without a tear ; when the Deity M v;ould f?,n8ionthe il rife, and Religion crown the chanTjllon. This conteft was rcferved for us. With its peril, and its glorjj it is ours. If we were richer than we nre, we could not pay tribute. U '\e v.'erc weaker than we are, we could not tole- rate injury; and although we had lefs of the foirit of our anceftcrs, we could not endure, that an AMERICAN fliould be enslaved! Succefs to thofe. gallant fpirits, who are gone to encounter the African Snake, coiled under his own tree, full of deadly and accumulated venom. When, hereiifier, the traveller fliall pafsin fecurity the fpot, where fo many have pcriHied, and (hall fjnd that the fang of the Serpent is drawn, he will venerate and acla^ire, the chara61eriri}c valor and magnanimity of this Weftern Republic, which combats at once for itfelf, and the world. The ravenous fpirit of War, fated with carnage in the wed, returr.s to renew his ravages on the Eaftern continent We are again at peace with the iand of our anceflors. Let us indulge the hope that it will be durable, as it is prosperous. We hail the return of Peace, for it finds us in the arms of glory, in the poffefTion of a national chara6ier, unfiillied and unparallelled. We hail its return, for it quenches the torch of war, heals the bleeding wounds of our country — baniihes rnifery^ and dififufes bleffings. This State has not expe- rienced the ordinary calamities of fanguinary and unprincipled warfare — fe.v of our youth have fallen— the exterminating falchion, which glitter- ed in terror before us, has not defcendcd upon • ^ '■ ' G ' i8 its vi^lims— and we .have been exempt cd froin thofe Ccil?mities, at the contemplition of whicli the heart sfiiudders, and the foul is in arms — thofe fecret dangers, which threatened at raidnight the defencelefs pillow of innocence and beauty ! Not lefs lively therefore fhould be our gratituJe, than if we had actually feen the fwoid of Cherubim flaming to defend us ! May we not hope^ that by the happy return of Peace, political afperities will be fo'tencd and removed, Sz that the government, by whomfoever adminiflered, will confult the experience of the paft, and fecurc the profpcrity of the future ? The war has be en fruitful in caufes of complaint, and in fubjecls of exultation. It has however been productive of benefit. Viclory has been ours, whenever our liberties have been ferioufiv^ afTailed ;and the tide of invafion has been every where repelled. We may expecl, that the veiTel of State, will not again be jeopardifed ; that our rights will not foon be again violated ; and we may be encouraged to repair our loffes, for anew and fafer voyage. The CONSTITUTION remains uninjured. It has prote61ed the country ; it has protected itfelf. It has eluded its purfuers ; it has vanquifhed its aflailants ; and lies at its moorings, in iafety and in triumph. The American cha]fa61er has been developed, and has marched with a giant flep from obfcurity to fame. The naturalills and ReY!e\vers of Europe muft now liiid other topics of feif-gratulation, than a comparifon of the old with the new world. Hif 19 tory has turned their fpeculations into ridicule^ and fa61s have d-^molifhed their vain-glorious theories. Envy miili: now ceafe to affe^l the language of contempt, or incur the ridicule, it provokes. The lightning of Franklin's genius, has flafhed convi6lion ; the lofty charader of Wafhington, without a parallel ; the profound in- vefligation of Hamilton; the attic and glowing elo- quence of Ames ; the elegant and claffical pro- d ciions of him,* over whofe tomb HiHiory is now feen to weep ; innumerahle examples have evinced, that genius and fcicnce deck the wreath, which valor has won for our country. And may we not advert with patriotic pride, to the creative mind of another American,f who has adapted a new po'v^er in the Arts to the great objects of public utility, and private convenience ? It glides in beauty over the wave of the Atlantic, and the Mifliffippi receives it, to her undulating bofom. While all that is manly in fentiment and ia a6iion, abounds and flourilhes among us, there is an equal growth, of thofe mild and endearing vir- tues, which form thedelight of focial inrercourfe. The character of our countrywomen exhibits a hap- py combination offortitude, affe61ion and purity. Doubtlefs they feel univerlally that ardent pat- riotifm, that high infpi ration of virtue, wnich ani- mated her, who lighted the torch to confume her own dwelling, left it (hould be polluted by the foot * Dr. RAMSAY. t FULTON, the ingenious inventor of Steam Bcatb. of tiic fee. The Roman Cornelia and Agrlppina;, have been rivalled in America. Such examples, as thefe, redeem and illiillrate the chara61:er of an age. Agesoi" da; knels, indeed, have been redeem- ed by the foul fubduing influence of beauty. It incites genius to loar, valor to triumph ; polirfi- cs the lavage into rennement, melts the lerocioiis into tenderneli and harmonizes the jarring eJe- inentS/of focfefy. '.The recent events in Eirrope paralize at once fcepticifm and propiiccy. Who could have ex- pected or Foretold the iuddenneis and celerity, with v;hichthe lad revolution in France ha3 been acrompiillied, alihough ln*ance has been fo long the fcene of Revolution ? Who is there fo wife as to have forefeen fuch an event — who fo cre- dulous as to have believed in the predi61ion ? If Alexander, when, the objeci of the war having been obtained, he was unbinding his armour, and about^torepofe in Peace and fecurliy ; If, at that moment one of ihofe Jpirits, to whom it is given to embrace in their vifion the rcceiFes of futurity, and predi6l what time will unrdd ; had revealed to him what a (vo^^Iq year has developed — if he had faid — " In one year your army fhali '' march again in^i-y France ; all that you have ac- '' complilhed will be undone ; all your battles '- will have beep ibught in \ain ; your ncgotiati- *•' ons, will terminate as they commenced— Lon;s, '' le defire, will again be a vagrant, and in exile ; '' the fun, wifich you ihink has let forever, will " arife and leafcend the zenith; Napoleon will "again be Emperor of France, at ihe h^iid of 21 ' armies, which you fhall reinforce by the addition '' of the veterans, taken in the Ruriian war—uni- " verfal terror will fucceed J he ionrr of triumph ^' and deliverance, which now fills the European " world— and that world will be converted into '' one vail armoury, torging ^veapons to deflroy " an individual/' Such a prophet, at Tuch a time, would have been regarded as a harpy, come to pollute the feall by his malignant omens. And yet he would have related the truth !- -a miraculous, a meiancholy truth, already perhaps recorded in the tears and blood ofthouiands, and proclaimed by the thunders of hofiile artillery ! France, inconliant France, welcomes a iecond time iheUfurper, and with him the domeftic fuT- feringsand foreign wars, which defignate hisieign. The love of glory---— the fplendour ot arms, th-e vanity of conqueil, at once wretched and ruinous, dazzle and feduce this extraordinary people; who are content to fuifer, and be conrpifcuous; and are always willing to bleed for celebrity. The hopes of the Philanthropist are again difap- pointed, Europe is doubt lefs, again in arms — IT Ihe could recal the banifhed fpirit of liberty, and of national Justice — that arena fo often crimloned with blood— -where the pride of nations has been i\) often humbled, and the hopes ct patriotifm fo often betrayed — might become a field, where the penerons virtues woui J be the compctiior;i — ih^ hjppinefs of man the v/ije^l, and where the, bou i.ud the lamb, fuui'liag the predictions of infpira- tion, n}i9,at repoie together m perpetua! r)eL::e. C 3 22 Perhaps out'ofthis new {late of things, caufes ofdiflRL^reace may arife between this country, and one or both of the beiligerenls; and it is poiTible that our peace may be as lliort lived ,as that of Europe, It is our intered no lefs than our duty, to be Ilri6lly and impartiaHy neutral ; and it can- not be the interefi of other nations, that we Ihould chanoe our fituation. The political chart is before us, and we have only to puriue the track of Wafhington : Like the milky way, it is ftud- ded with liars. It will lead us in fafety, through the perilous ocean, in the ilorms that agitate na- tions, and we fliall float in triumph, amid the wreck and ruin of ambition and folly; whofe miferable and deluded votaries, fhall feek with us an afylum. And, ifour forbearance ihould be again infulted, or the path of Peace be interdi61cd to us, we will go, like Achilles, reluctantly to the field ; but we will return, like Achilles, loaded with fpoils. The invention of our own citizens has afforded us means of attack and defence, iinparrallelledandal- moll invulnerable ; and Fulton has given us a iliield, far fuperior to thofe, which the gods of fa- ble were accuflomed to beilovv on the heroes of antiquity. Gr-NTLEMEN OF THE CINCINNATI., In the annual commemoration of our coun- try's Independence, you are again aflembled. The war-v;orn veteran meets bis ailbciate in arms, and is reminded of long pad fcenes of toil and danger. The Youth comes to kindle emulation from the fires of patriotism, and to implant in his heart the exploits of his fathers. It is for eloquence 23 to revive thefe aflbciaticns in all their former' ftrength, and to rouie the enlhufiarm of the rifing generation, until it equal the felf devotion, which chara6leiifcd the leaders and the patriots, of^ the American Revolution. No fuch influence can be expccled in the performance of the talk, v;hich your partiality has alligned to a youth and a iiranger ; and yet 1 could not be a stranger, to the rtnoivfi, which the Sons of Carolina \\X)n, In the combats of '7n — a renown, illuflrated by the battles ol Fort Moukric, tJie Cowpens and the Eutaw, and requiring no eiTorts of mine, to en- creafe its celebrity. Who knows, but iho flory of our p^:fl achievements, may, have warmed into life, and kindled into fplendor, thofe principles of valor and patriotifm, which oblained the vi^lories of Niagara and Chippewa ? Thus an endlefs fuc- ceffion of honorable d^cd^^ Hiall arife and flow as from their fource, from the inllitution, and the ^ra, which we now commemorate. You have lived to fee our country twice af- failed — your fvvorcls have not flept in their fcab- bards, and you have lived to fee it as often trium- phant. The tree, you have planted, flill flourifiies. It has not withered in the flafh, nor trembled in the tempcfl. The Eagle reds on its iummit — the Dove is flieltered by its foliage — and its golden fruit falls into the lap of Honor. It furvives to ihclter the fnow white locks of the veteran ; and will fpreadits verdure for ages, over the hallowed " dust/' that planted it. 24 Annually vve are called to mini^le our fighs, with the feflivities of this 'Da3^ Since our lafi: anniverfary,* two of our anbciates, whofe fwords were drawn with yours, in the war of the Revolu- tion, Heep with their fathers. But the memory of the brave is notdeftinfd to perifh, whilc.a kind- red fpirit remains to preferve It. Gentlemen of the Kevoj.utioh Society — Yours are thoie kindred fpirits, who fliall re- tain and keep alive, the iirc's of freedom. On you the mantle of Wafhington has fallen ; and to vour vioilant and affectionate care, will too foon be configned, the urns and the fame of his com- panions in arms. Your AfTociation, formed to perpetuate the principles of civil and political liberty, is full ot nfefulnefs and honor. The fcenes of private and of public life, atted your individual merit; and your country may con- fide in you, for all that literature can accompli/li, :\i\ that Eloquence can infpire, valour achieve and Honor purify. Followers of Wafhington, like him, vou are not to be feduced from the path oi' re^iit'ude, by thofe illufions of ambition, which lead men from the race of patriotifm, to the race of popularity. Let us rejoice that our indiluiions have furvived the fliock of war, that the Peopli: ilill enjoy their rights, and that the fnip^ has not foundered, in the violence of the florm^ And though difunion feemed to threaten our exigence * Major FELIX WARLEV and Capt. THOMAS HALL, whofc bjoro.rable fctvices will long be i;;ai?mbered with gratitude, by :l:c friendi cl" Ain'^rican Liberty a,ud In-Jcrlndence. 25 and national Bankruptcy to ingulph our hopes, yet we have been providentially prefcrved. Hif- tory fccnis to (land on the ruins of Republics ; but let us hope, that an adherence to the '' firni, wife, dignified/' and pacific policy of V/a(hington, may prci'ervc us forever, frcni their fate, Uiurpation of povvcr, under whatever prerexr, iliould be refilled, as foon as attempted. pRiiE- DOM is dearer than life, for it gives all its value to cxiftcnce. And^ iliall a Cai^far ever afpire to cnflave our country, and find no Enitus to avenge it? Shall a Saul ever arife, and not bleed on Gilboa? Shall a Washington expire, and his vir- tues, his example, and his memory not be che- rillied in the hearts of-cmancip*tcd millions? To youy Fellow-Citizens generally, this day mufi; be peculiarly welcome. The tide ofv%'eaith rufiies in upon you. Year former avocations arc renew- ed; and you are relcafed from the toils and fuf- ferings of war. Your families ilcep in fccurity, and the fmile of cheerfuinefs lights once more the countenance of beauty. And yet, compared with other parts. of the Union, your city has fcarcely fufFered. Your youth have not been called \q the fhock of battle ; nor your dalightcrs to weep over their fallen lovers. Your Lines, the eternal monument of your Patriotifm, where all claflfes of your citizens la- bored like bvefhren in the common caiife, were never affailcd by the enemy. If they had been, can we doubt that they would llilf have been green, and verdant, and covered with laurel? D 1 i 26 Now, my Friends, let us perform the grateful ceremonies, which belong to this occafion — Let all care be banlfheci — Let the eye glMten with tranfport— Let the heart glow with exultation — Let the National feeling, be lofty as the JSIaiiomil ,/amff— and the fong of the Bard, and the voice of miiiic, and the peals of artillery* proclaim, that this is the JUBILEE OF THE AMERICAN STATES.- / ERRATA. 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