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AN 
 
 0RAT10J¥, 
 
 BY THE 
 
 Hon. iniliam Jfilkms, 
 
 DELIVERED BEFORE THE 
 
 JACKSON REPUBLICAN CITI2EX8 
 
 OP 
 
 ALLSOBSNY COUNT?. 
 
 ASSEMBLED JIT STEWART'S ISLAND, 
 ON THE 4XH or JULY, 1831, 
 
 TBB 55Ttt AlfXIVEBBAllT OE 
 
 awevecan Jlntrraicntrfnrr; 
 
 - ubliihed at the request of the Committee of Arrangemcat. 
 
 BY LEONARD S. JOHNS. 
 
ff ,.-N 
 
 7o {h: Hon. Jfm. IVUhins. 
 
 Sir — The undersigned, the Jackson Republican Committee of Ar- 
 rang-ement, in behalf of your fellow citizens, wlio celebrated tlie 55Us 
 Anniversary at Stewart's Ishvnd, respectfully request a copy of the ad- 
 dress delivered by you for publication. 
 
 'I'iic Committee avail themselves of this opportunity, of conveyinpf 
 to you their tlianks for the handsome and eloquent manner, in whic'* 
 you complied with their request in the delivery of tiiis oration. Its 
 publication, the Committee believe, will not only add to the valuable 
 political treasure of the country, hut be of essential service in placing' 
 the great cause of the people in a proper lig'ht before the Union. 
 Your fellow citizens, 
 
 DAVID LYNCH, ROSS WILKINS, 
 
 LP:0NARD S. JOHNS, M. R. LOWRIE, 
 N. P.FETTERMAN, P. MULVANV, 
 
 G. W. BUCHANAN, JOHN SMITH, 
 
 GEORGE DARSIE, PATRICK DORAN. 
 
 REPLY. 
 
 The GutLT, July 5th., 1831. 
 
 Gewtlemex: — I acknowledge the receipt of your note requesting- -a 
 copy of the address I had the honor of delivering', by your desire, t'> 
 my fellow citizens assembled on the 4th inst. on General Stewart's 
 Island. 
 
 The copy is herewith transmitted to be made use of as yoa may think 
 proper; and I tender to you my sincere acknowledgements for your 
 kind attention, and the very complimentary manner in which you have 
 spoken of my feeble effort. 
 
 However appropriate the occasion, 1 regret that the time allotted to 
 such an address did not permit a full and detailed examination of the 
 principles and measures of President Jackson — of an Executive Magis- 
 trate chosen by the nation as worthy and able to enforce and perpetu- 
 ate the gi-eat principles proclaimed on the memorable day we cele- 
 brated, and which make his cause "the great cause of the people." 
 
 With respect, gentlemen, your ob'dt. and obliged humble servant, 
 
 WM. WILKINS. 
 To Messrs. David Lynch, Boss Wilkins, Leonard S. Joh,ui, M. R. LoW' 
 
 rie, N. P. Fetter /nan. Patrick Mulvany, George Darsie, Patrick Ih- 
 
 ran, George W. Buchanan, and John Smith, the Jackson ComOiitteS 
 
 of Arransenient. 
 
 
lATIOI^ 
 
 -GQ&- 
 
 Fellow Cittzf.kr: — 
 
 Tiis; luciii deciiiration, to which yoa U^ve just listened with such 
 piofouiul attention ami undiminishtd interest, is, probably, nil that 
 should be'heard upon tlie celebration of Ihe memorable " 4tli of July.' 
 that luminous btaio of liber'y ami of wisdom — and, however, the dis- 
 affccteci may captiously pretend to consider tlie reading of that paper 
 a"? an irlle cererr.ony, it is justly vie%ved as the finger touching- tlie chord 
 of the harp which should never he unstrung', but whose notes should 
 be made to toand louder and louder till the world shall keep time to 
 jls vihratirns. 
 
 Gratified as I may be by every instance of public duty imposed up- 
 on mc by my feUow citizens, 1 woulvl enter upon my present task wiiii 
 more clieerf.iliicss did not the questions continually obtrude themse'.vts 
 — " "VVhrtt can i s.-iy tiuit shall be new cr ir.terestinr^ on this liappy oc- 
 casion ''•'—' ' lic'.v can my crude and weak reflections Rvld to the know'- 
 edge or the hajjpiness of die thousands and thousands who are at thij 
 moment SRsembled wlh hearts full of rejoicing and gratitude to Hea- 
 ve:! for national blessings unparalleled in the lustory of man?" But, 
 urged on b\' the compliment bestowed upon me, I forget my own fee- 
 bleness and, throwing myself lipon your generosity, and claiming the 
 exercise of the same indulgence from my surrounding neighbours that 
 has sustained and saved me on other occasions, I proceed to obey the 
 call of tlie committee of arrangement. 
 
 The principles of liberty are dignifying and powerfully operative. 
 Wherever we find them in the history of the world we see a jjeofile 
 witli a brightness of character, and a vast energy in their undertaking's 
 • — In ancient Greece there was a refinement of intellect, a copiousnesa 
 of exquisite art, and a renown of valor trvily astonishing — Liberty w.s 
 not equally enjoyed by all the ancient (irecian Stales; butTliebes was 
 free in the days of Epaminon<las, and she wore nothing but the robes 
 of victory. Athens enjoyed the most pure and lasting republicanism; 
 and from her spr\mg the most celebrated sculptors and piuuters, the 
 most powerful orators, and her military men have a brilliancy of glory 
 which can never be surpassed. 
 
The spirit of Roman republicanism at first appears triumphing over 
 royal tyranny at home, and in g'lving' to the world a view of the vast 
 value of liberty in a peculiar sacrifice made at her slirine — Brutus, the 
 founder of the Roman repubhc, sprinkles the banner of liberty with a 
 sacredness of character which could belong to no other earthly pos- 
 session, by the judicial condemnation and death of his own son! The 
 republic of Rome in after ages had several grand features of character; 
 her activity and energy spread her dominion in every direction; and 
 those whom she conquered she civilized, and placed among them tlie 
 arts of life — for a republic cannot be great only; it must be good. It's 
 citizens, high as are their own advantages, cannot live to tliemselves. 
 The light of their principles will shine into other places, and awaken 
 men into the enobling enjoyments of their nature. 
 
 Though the empire of Rome e^icompassed the civilized world by re- 
 publican energy; yet, when the reins of government fell into other 
 hands, her strength became enfeebled in all her members, and after 
 some time, failing in the contest witli every invader, the vast empir.^ 
 is entirely destroyed. For such, my fellow citizens. Is the natural 
 course of things; when the spring of activity in the people of a nation 
 is enfeebled by denying them the right of directing their own affairs — 
 by rejecting their counsel when it is believed that it is needed, and by 
 degrading into the character of slaves those who were conscious tliat 
 they had the rights of masters, a decline and fall must be the inevita- 
 ble consequence. 
 
 The principles of liberty it appears It is impossible entirely to extin- 
 guish. Though the Roman empire brought over the face of the civili- 
 zed world the oppression of her emperors, and though the Barbarians 
 who overturned it were savage In their tyranny, yet in a few years af- 
 ter the dissolution of the Roman empire and the Introduction of the 
 Goths and Vandals into Europe, and the Turks into the west of Asia, 
 the republics of Venice and Genoa arose — never could there be better 
 examples to show the life and energy of republican principles than 
 these two cities. The empires and kingdoms of the world at the time 
 of their renown In all the surrounding regions were great — Venice first 
 spi'ung forward under republican banners, and she, though a small ci- 
 *}•, became the mistress in commerce and navigation among the nations. 
 Genoa followed her, and though at the time physically weaker, yet by 
 a spirit of purer republicanism, she not only outstrlpt her rival, but 
 took the chief command among the states of Europe. Columbus was 
 one of her citizens, and though undoubtedly the first In genius, In en- 
 terprize, and Industry, yet he was Indebted to the circumstances of his 
 republican birtli, education and busy activity for the formation of tliat 
 character which introduced such a mighty change among men as the 
 discovery of a new world! 
 
 Liberty hitherto seems to have been trying only how dlflPerent habi- 
 tations might suit; and now moving into other regions, she adopts a 
 new principle to aid In the communication of her blessings. — Visiting 
 several of the valleys of the Alps she nurses the human mind both in 
 civil and religious freedom, and gives a breadth to the foundations on 
 which she builds, which has preserved, amidst the revolutions of ages, 
 the fabric which she reared v»ithout perceptible decay until this time. 
 
with the same design she visited Batavia and Britain) and like her clis* 
 cipic, Solon of old, who said, that he did not give the best laws possi- 
 ble to the Athenians, but only the best that they could bear, she did 
 not open all her treasures to these nations; but adjusted her corntr.u- 
 nications to the age of civilization and the circumstances of the times. 
 Under the bounties of her hand the character and prosperity of these 
 people took a spring like the fruits of the field when a copious rain 
 succeeds a long" drought. They became intelligent to the very lowest, 
 of their population In comparison with other nations; tlieir commerce 
 encircled the world; and their power grew equally upon their com- 
 merce, their agriculture, and the prosperity of the arts and sciences. 
 
 To some individuals, however, of these nations, and especially C'f 
 that which is emphatically called, the landof our fatbers, liberty show- 
 ed more of her secrets than she sat before the public eye, and she in- 
 stilled a belief into their minds, that nations were yet to enjoy all the 
 lights of freedom which she was making to pass before tbesu. At the 
 same time an overruling Providence was permitting other and infiuen- 
 tlal individuals, invested, indeed, with royalty and the supreme po«'er 
 of the nation to detest and persecute the character of freedom; r.nd 
 thus the men who loved the sight of the fields, of the streams, of the 
 mountains, and woodlands of their native country, and who were the 
 most sober, industrious, and enlightened on political subjects, v;ere 
 forced to leave what had been the home of their fathers for so many 
 generations and the abode of their ashes, and to seek an asylum from 
 tyranny and persecution in an unknown world. 
 
 The first pilgrims landed at Plymouth in New England— and, fur a 
 moment, we must fix our eye on these seeds of this now great antl 
 flourishing nation. On them the robes of hberty are of a purer white 
 than ever appeared in our world before, and on their banners as float- 
 ing over them is written " that liberty is dearer than country and lil'e." 
 In ancient Greece and Rome liberty was contented to show herself, 
 like the early histories of the nations, in little fragments which were 
 made up of different materials, and never could be cemented into a 
 firm and harmonious whole. In other countries she was also content 
 to live in mixed society, and to connect her interests witli those whose 
 habits and operations she could neither approve, nor ameliorate. But, 
 these Pilgrims came to their new habitation when science had taken 
 deep root among men, when arts were ready to give to Industry a con- 
 troiing power; when liberty, by means of the Press, could every dav 
 effectually plead the heavenly originofher nature and the benevolence 
 of her hand, and when the discoveries of navigation were bringing the 
 scattered inhabitants of the earth into an amity of intercourse, which 
 nothing could enlighten, and perm.anently maintain, but knowledge and 
 political improvement. The wisdom which directs the destinies of 
 men had sent Columbus to discover this western continent; the event 
 J8 the most momentous which history can record; but, the greatnes'* 
 of this event Vv-ould liave been but physical and geographical, .had net 
 tiie moral grandeur of the human race, political knowledge and liber- 
 ty taken up their habitation on this region of the earth so long reserv- 
 ed for their reception. Men may think wliat they please of these ex- 
 tlee, but they, In the history of the human family, are something lik© 
 
t!ie Priests who bore the ark Into Jordan, leaving^ the wilderness with 
 its hardships and fiery flying- serpents forever behind, to enter upon 
 the land which had been divinely reserved for them. 
 
 The spirit of freedom which these first emigrants bore with them, 
 and which others who followed brought along, never fainted nor re- 
 laxed in their new habitation. At times it could enjoy itself in all the 
 happy reflections of its nature, and at other times it was warned of ths 
 danger of becoming supine while tyranny had such unbroken power 
 and so many arts. A season arrived the lice of which became darker 
 and darker; liberty was in danger of being cast out of her new habita- 
 tion: but she arose, she assembled her children whom she saw numer- 
 ous and brave; she girded on her armour, and stood firm on the ground 
 which she had chosen. The storm began to rage, and she wished to 
 be heard and understood throughout her own liousehold — she made 
 "a. declaration" which communicated In a few words all the unmixed 
 sentiments of her mind, and all the life and energy which can actuate 
 a political community. After our fathers, and we, have enjoyed the 
 blessings of our happy, free and republican institutions, for more than 
 half a century, we have, on the anniversary of that "declaration" of 
 liberty and Independence, heard it read; and Its terms are so precise, 
 its statements so lucid, we dare not touch It for fear of Injuring It. On 
 the principles of it we make only one reflection — Mankind are viewed 
 as brothers with equal rights and privileges in the nation, and, as reli- 
 gious beings, they are considered accountable to Him alone who made 
 them. 
 
 The light of the principles of the "declaration of Independence" 
 spread with the rapidity of the rays of the morning sun, and our fa- 
 thers awoke to a just sense of the happy era with which they were vi- 
 sited, and they enrolled themselves the soldiers of freedom, though 
 there was little more present encouragement than tlie honour of shed- 
 ding their blood In a fearful struggle which was before them. Inspired 
 with enthusiasm In principles so precious to the human race, and so 
 rich In gifts which posterity were to enjoy, they marched barefooted 
 in the winter's snow, and sought victory when the very elements had 
 gathered around their enemy to protect them. The contest was long 
 and bloody, and often, as was fabled of Hercules when the choice of 
 good and evil was set before him, It aff'orded an opportunity of com- 
 paring the sacrifice they were called to make, with the excellence of 
 that cause they had espoused; but every hour of reflection onlj- gave 
 firmness to their resolution and buoyancy to their spirits. At length, 
 when liberty had rendered her cause doubly dear by the iiardsliips that 
 were undergone and b}"^ the blood tliat was shed In It, when she had 
 bought renown with many victories for her followers, when sl.e had 
 grasped in her hand two of the most powerful armies with which she 
 had been threatened, she dismissed her people to regulate tlieir own 
 afiairs and to apportion among themselves tiie inestimable blessings 
 which, under her banners, they had won. " The declaration of inde- 
 pendence" brouglit the gold from the mine, bright, pure and unmix- 
 ed; but, to make these states sit In a circle of permanent order under 
 the eye of liberty, it was necessary that this gold should be stampt with 
 a constitutional impression that should not change its nature, but should 
 
t 
 
 isshlblt the laws of order under which the action of our ^reat republic 
 is to move. This constitution was drawn up incapable of little addi- 
 tional perfection from the genius of freedom, and promising an eleva- 
 tion of future fiiglit, which nothing can equal, but the expanded wing 
 of the Eagle when he soars aloft, till the eye loses him in the indefin- 
 able distance to which his powerful wing hath borne him! 
 
 Some have entertained doubts about the stability of our federal re. 
 public. It rests, however, on the firmest basis. Every thing bids 
 defiance to change v/hich is conformable to the nature of rnan, and the 
 circumstances of the times. But, can republican institutions violate 
 any principle of human nature? No— they elevate it, and place it 
 erect. The advocates of monarchy dare not attack the philosophy of 
 the principles of democracy; they' only plead that they are too pure 
 and sublime to be carried into practice, l^ut, my fellow citizens, we 
 live in an age of the world— and an age which, as republicanism is con- 
 sidered the perfection of human nature, will remain satisfied with no 
 other form of government but that which is free. The influence of 
 aristocracy in the old world is being overturned by the success of ma- 
 nufacturers, of mechanics, and of merchants, and, in some places, that 
 of agriculture; for industiy raises to wealth and gives a predominancy 
 to the people. Our country is tranquil, and has a luxury of prosperity 
 unknown to other places either in a former, or the present age. 
 ""Vhat is the comparative condition of other countries? They are like 
 a volcano whose fires have been covered, but which are beginning to 
 break out, shaking the mountain to find a vent, and discovering at va- 
 rious places a fierce jet of flame that bespeaks the unnatural state 
 within, and auguis a tremendous eruption! But, the principles of our 
 government are as immoveably fixed, as they are truly the principles 
 of enlightened human nature, and which Hhe present improved state 
 of the world requires. Yes; when men shall think little of the prin- 
 ciple of religious liberty; when the press shall cease to teem with in- 
 formation, and men shall refuse to read the daily vehicles of knowl- 
 edge; when the schools of philosophy shall bury the lights of liberty 
 which they have long laboured to establish; when arts shall flourish 
 better under the hand of one man who is ignorant of their nature, than 
 under the experience which the practical men of the nation acquire, 
 then may it be supposed, that the liberties of a people situated .as we 
 are, and living in an age of the world such as we live in, can maintain 
 a precarious existence only. Our liberty may presentus with aspiring 
 parties, each emulously climbing, like the emblems of wisdom on some 
 pillars of antiquity to reach the top; but the improvements of man- 
 kind ever since creation, and the manner in which they are heaped up- 
 in our fehcitous situation, teach us where we stand, and what is given us 
 to enjoy. Our armour is on; and it cannot, like that of ancient warfare, 
 hang loosely and be unbuckled: It islike the array of a republican army 
 — you must destroy the people and bury them In their tomb! 
 
 We know that even intelligent men, remembering that tl»e Roman 
 Empire fell by its own greatness, have expressed fears for the ])reser- 
 vatlon of the unity of oiu' republic and the continuance of our free in- 
 stitutions, when our population shall have spread over the immense 
 territories which have yet to be peopled. But, the Roman Empire 
 
differed immensely from what our happy republic can be v^hen it shall 
 have spread itself from the gulph of Mexico to the great Lakes, and 
 from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean. The Roman Empire was made 
 up of conquered nations, whose military spirit they entirely broke 
 •lown, and who, when the legions of Rome could not protect them, 
 fell a prey to the first invader. Our population, on the other hand, 
 wherever they march, go with the spirit of freemen, and have an arm 
 always ready, not only to defend, but to awe the nations and tribes that 
 may surround them. Rome had, indeed, made her high ways leading 
 to every part of the Empire, but her legions travelled with their heavy 
 armour, slowly and incumbered, to meet, in a distant corner, an inva- 
 ding foe; whereas it ought not to be forgotten, that the improvements 
 of the world, steam and rail road communication, will convey through- 
 out our extended regions a protecting power with the rapidity that 
 the Roman pigeon carried his cartel to a distant province to beg assis- 
 tance. Besides, neither the Roman Empire, nor any former Empire 
 of the world, v/as knit and woven together, and from the state of the 
 couiUries and condition of the arts, could not be, as our great Republic 
 must necessarily become. Our rivers point out the channels of iiUer- 
 course, and our canals and rail roads ascending our mountains and win- 
 ding through our valleys; some passing in one direction and some in 
 another, give to the futare prospects oi the union a firmness and strength 
 which, perhaps, no othei country could receive in an equal degree, 
 and wiiich even the wantonness of disorganization and the wildness of 
 nullification themseh'cp will not be able to tear asunder. Our republic 
 the longer it continues to grow becomes the stronger, not only by its 
 gigantic stature, but by the circulation of the vital fluids to every part, 
 knitting the joints and strengthening the muscles, the organs of mo- 
 tion. And how safe is this robust health and gigantic and increasing 
 form of our political body when entrusted to t!ie care, the wisdom, 
 And the sleepless watchfulness of the disinterestcdpatriot who now sits 
 at the head of our national household! He who, himself but a boy, 
 %'oluntarily risked his life in guarding with youthful heroism the cradle 
 of the infant republic! 
 
 Our republic will not only prosper to bless the countless myriads who 
 in successive generations will spring up within its borders; but she ex- 
 erts, ani will continue to exert, over the destinies of the human race, 
 an influence which is incalculable. It may, howevep, be the source of 
 regret to the philanthropist that this influence is only partially felt in 
 some countries graspuig at freedom whose population m:iy, as yet, be 
 unprepared and unfit to use it — for, our country is not cidy dignified 
 by a constitution of liberty giving equal rights to all our citizen.-;, and 
 distributing ju.stice and protecting all equally: but we have a feature of 
 excellence among us, which is the soul that moves a republic — our pop- 
 ulation are enlightened and intelligent — we are a commonwealth of 
 reading and reflecting republicp.Tis. In Mexico and in .Soutii America 
 there r.iaj' be numerous patriotic men found who can write a fine con- 
 stitution, and under an imagination of its excellence, tl;ey m.\v enli&t 
 armies and valoroasly fight battles and gain brilliant victories; but pree^ 
 sed down as they are with ignorance in the great body of the people, 
 ean these natiocs manage the affairs of that republicanism after which 
 
tliey grasp i" Freedom falls in their streets; and not aware that the dis- 
 ease is physical and inward, tbey have attempted once Sc again to raise 
 her; but she reels and has again to be supported. Still this continent 
 must be regenerated, for however much blood will have to be shed, 
 and however many changes some states have to put on, our republic, 
 which is peaceable and interferes not in the affairs of other nations, is 
 such a mistress by her influence, that she, like Mercury the messenger 
 of the Gods, touches people witli the wand of her enchantment, and 
 they never can rest till their constitution be purged of corruption and 
 they grow into a ir. \nly vigour and strength. 
 
 Those people who estimate the character of this nation by the bles- 
 sings which its citizens enjoy, look not at the half of the designs which 
 Providence has had in view in setting her up, so ])ure in political wis- 
 dom and so permanent in her elevated and philosophical foundations. 
 The rays of freedom which before were scattered here Si there througii- 
 out the eartli were collected in this republic, that it might be a sun to 
 enlighten and enliven the whole face of the globe. Europe has pro- 
 duced many learned men, and in many places the arts are in the most 
 flourishing condition — all stimulating to pohtical improvement — but it 
 is especially the light which returns from this youthful republic that 
 rouses them to seek a new era in the history of their existence. Some 
 of them looked with admiration and a sisterly feeling on the operations 
 of our earliest infancy, and all ofthem have been astonished at the rapidi- 
 ty of our growth, and the ease and grace of our movements — they 
 heard, indeed, sometimes a little clamor on which were raised various 
 conjectures; but as our horizon cle?red up a little, and they obtained 
 time to examine the machine that was floating before them, they per- 
 ceived that the mighty vessel of our state was directed along the stream 
 of time with an unchanged course of prosperity — for, my fellow citi- 
 zens, it matters litile whether talents from the north or the south be at 
 the head of our affairs, there is such a vigour in the impelling power 
 and fly wheel of our state machine; should errors be committed they 
 are soon corrected, and wisdom gathers strength from experience to 
 proceed on her way. 
 
 Europe at this moment presents an interesting aspect to every phi- 
 lanthropic American, who cannot but be conscious tliat the mighty 
 strength of these ancient nations is heaving and tossing by the enchant- 
 ing voice which proceeds from the shores of this republic. Like the 
 sailor who has come safe to port with a cargo of tlie richest gems; the 
 American hears the storm begin to rage, and sees that others are out at 
 sea. How far, gentlemen , has Providence, giving strength to our youth- 
 ful limbs, sent us a head in our political privileges and attainments of 
 the most favoured and enlightened nations on the face of the earth! 
 Great Britain herself, the home of our fiithers, and the birth place of 
 Bacon, Newton, llamden, Chatham and Fox, is, when we are reaping 
 the harvest of liberty, lopping off certain excrescences only, and boast- 
 ing of her reform. A more striking evidence of the distance at which 
 we have left her behind could not be afforded! — Tleform! we have no 
 place for a solemn admission of tlie name! Our political fabric could 
 admit of no great change which would not deform it and render less 
 perfect the beauty, order and proportion of all its parts. That France 
 
10 
 
 a.iu\ the Netherlands may maintain the freedom they have obtained, and 
 tlxe brave and patriotic Poles shall conquer the iron hand that oppres- 
 ses them, are objects most devoutly to be desired. Poland! dismem- 
 bered, plundered and oppressed! Gallant descendants of ovu* common 
 benefactors, Pulaski and Kosciusko! America watches the progress of 
 ihy struggle, and awaits its issue with an interest infinitely heightened 
 by the grateful recollection, that on t!ic plains of Savannah were spilt 
 she kindred blood to that which lately ftowcd so freely on the banks of 
 the Vistula! 
 
 In our aspirations for universal political improvement, jdways so pc- 
 '-•uHurly excited on our national aimiversary, we cai\not avoid casiing 
 tnir eye upon many fair portions of E\u-ope engaged in eilbrts ib:- ra- 
 tional freedom; and under this feeling there is a country, green and 
 sunny by nature but blighted and darkened by man's partial and op- 
 pressive hand, to which we turn witli special feeling and affection; that 
 vtjuntry, many of whose sons, and many, very many, of whose descend- 
 ants mingle in this assembly — whose industry and energy of character 
 pervade our wliole community; are seen throughout our towns and our 
 cities and upon our public improvements; whose valor was displayed 
 with great brightness and whose blood flowed abundantly upon every 
 field of battle in every war of our country — patriots at home and voIu;i ■ 
 teers abroad in every struggle for freedom — not to remember the ef- 
 forts of Ireland to reach that political as well as religious emancipatiory 
 which must be in store for her, and sincerely to desire its consumma- 
 tion, would be public ingratitude and betray a want of sympathy for 
 those who did more than sympathize for us. But, if those European 
 states at present fail, this much is cei-tain, that days of greater liberty, 
 if not perfect, must come; for the progress of the human family cannot 
 now be retrograde — their way is opened and brilliantly lit up, and our 
 star spangled banner will wave, the emblem of enlightened freedom 
 and liberty among them! — The republic, whose "declaration of inde- 
 pendence" you have heard read, is the blessing of 'her own citizens, 
 and the hope of the world! 
 
 If these genereral reflectloustipon the character, progress and bles- 
 sings of republicanism be correct and flattering, how well might we 
 proceed, if time would admit, in an exulting reference to tlie present 
 administration of that system of government with which we are so con- 
 tent, and of which we so justly boast? And the occasion, how appro- 
 priate! For when might we morejustly »lefend the principles and char- 
 acter of our soldier President than on this day, set apart by national 
 gratitude to the commemoration of deeds of valor and of unexampled 
 .•>elf devotion? How pecidiar the hour, consecrated to the outpourint,^ 
 of a nation's blessings ui>on the heads of her illustrious benefactors, to 
 speak of the trials and services of that chieftain who is now reaping his 
 reward in the love and confidence of a grateful people! Were you not 
 exhausted by my tediousness, the chilling admonition of political jeal- 
 ousy, nor the cavils of a vexed and indefatigable opposition, should not 
 shut out a direct and calm review of the course of an administration, 
 guided atid sustained as it has been, by the same ardent love of country, 
 the same honesty of heart, and enlightened Inflexibility of purpose, 
 as were throughout, in every hamlet of the republic and in our gloomi. 
 
11 
 
 est day, felt and acknowiedg-ed, with pride and exultation, as virtues 
 to wliich we owed the safety of our frontier, our cities, and our com- 
 mon country — and the assurance is cheering and encouraging-, that this 
 course of wisdom, brightened by the richest prosperity our country has 
 ever witnessed, must proceed smoothly and uninterruptedly under the 
 aid of the new cabinet of counsellors composed of long tried, highly 
 gifted and distinguished repubHcan statesmen. 
 
 Individual politicians and aspiring men of the adversary party may 
 be dissatisfied because their ambition cannot be gratified — and, arrayed 
 against the wishes and affections of the people, they are stript of power; 
 but the evidence of our good fortune and tJie contentment of the great 
 body of the people appears in every direction and surrounds us like 
 the air we breathe and the light we enjoy. In earnestness, you are 
 asked, why it should be otherwise? We point to j^onr national and in- 
 dividual wealth. Whilst the national debt is fast melting away, nation- 
 al improvements are every where rising up. Unlike other nations, 
 whilst your population so rapidly gains, individual riches as rapidly ac- 
 cumulate — for never was there a period in our community when pri- 
 vate credit stood so high and pecuniary engagements were met with 
 more promptness and abundance of means. Your commerce and nav- 
 igation are wisely managed, harmoniously regulated with foreign na- 
 tions, flourishing and increasing-. Agriculture, God's chosen employ- 
 ment for man, gives to its moral and incorruptible followers abundance 
 in return for their industrj', whilst our system of internal improvement* 
 carries that abundance to profitable and enriching markets. And vfc 
 point, too, to that system of internal improvement, so early adopted 
 and so wisely nourished by the men of your commonwealth, a system, 
 in its national light, sustained as constitutional and expedient in all wor- 
 thy and important objects, by your present chief Magistrate — a system 
 which draws us closer together, knits and combines the whole, and i^ 
 one of the strongest ties tending to render indissoluble the various parts 
 of our political fabric. But, above all, we point to that branch of la- 
 bour, which encountei'S the most determined hostility, and yet is the 
 very soul of the whole scheme of a nation's industry — that which enga- 
 ges the attention of the ingenious, the enterprising and the scientific — 
 gives employment to the indigent labourer, and at the same time cheap- 
 ens the articles of necessity for the poor — gratifies the luxury of opu- 
 lence — gives business to the whole community in time of peace, and 
 affords us the means of defence in time of war — converts the sand and 
 dust under your feet, the earths and ores of your hills, the products of 
 your fields, particularly those of the south, into goods indispensable to> 
 the whole community — renders us no longer tributary to foreign coun- 
 tries; and is, to our aggrandizement, fast changing the commerce of 
 the world — our Domestic manufactures! How delightful and import- 
 ant the subject! How fruitful of interesting facts. These cannot now 
 be detailed — and I must content myself with the simple remark — th*t 
 your own city of Pittsburgh at this moment produces and gives cur- 
 rency to a greater amount of manufactures than did the entire thirteen 
 original states at the period you are now commemorating. And, Sttch, 
 is the enterprize of the merchant and the character of the manufacta- 
 rer, that your products are now cwried ia abundance into Qbitx^, Hin- 
 
12 
 
 aostan and Turkey. Thus, the activity of our countrymen, aided ly 
 the wisdom of the commercial arrangements of the present administra- 
 tion, send the fruits of your domestic industry into distant and darken- 
 ed countries where even the rays of the light of Christianity havescarce- 
 ]y been able to penetrate. 
 
 Pennsylvanians! Citizens of that state which is the chief stone giv- 
 ing stability to the mighty arch of our confederation — you, who com- 
 pose that vital link in the great chain of the nation's prosperity which is 
 shadowed forth by the line of intercourse running from east to west, 
 and which will make Pittsburgh a place whose interests will continue 
 to grow while the waters run by it. Remember, that the policy of your 
 state is truly and essentially the policy of President Jackson — that un- 
 der his views of public affairs your commonwealth will always occupy 
 a commanding station, and by his principles your great and prominent 
 interests never can be jeoparded. Remember, too, (and it is a melan- 
 choly reflection) that as you have novr but one survivor of the 53 illus- 
 triousjilgners of that declaration of independence which bears date on 
 the 4ni of July '76 — so you have now, in all human and political prob- 
 ability, the last man as your Chief Magistrate who defended that decla- 
 raition in the revolution that followed. Cherish, and keep alive your 
 gratitude. It is a noble sentiment. And at the approaching contest 
 let no political disaster stamp upon you the charge, that you have for- 
 gotten that man who never yet forget you. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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