'  “Q-5 cw

AN
DRATION,  
FRONOUNCED AT’ ALFRED,
N» ox §u&«3., ‘s?:§'?3:,

THIRTY NINTH ANNIVERSARY

AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE A

M JOHN HOLMES, ESQ.

_£7’:.:Mir.rfza:d by regzmt qf a Committee appointcci ivy vhc rzmiienm

BOSTON : A

mtmnn BY ROWE Arm Hoornn-3.
./IT arm Y.£lJv‘K'EE oprxcm

ORATION. t

l3E*"ELLO‘.V CITIZEN S,

MAN refl.ects with pIeeeL11~e on the day of
115,53 birth. eTo eont.empleteo11i' jp1'o;;j1*eee from ink-
fency to manhood, ot11*weekne;9s, wants, and ee-
eapess frorxi dangei‘ ; the eo1inc:i.tud.e of friends, and
the eti’ect.ion of “pe.1~ents, excite our tenderest pee»
.°A;i0‘l1.‘3. M % o A
'T‘he effect.  not c1ifTe1~ent, when we ‘1*e;flect on
the birth of our c:ounot.1;'y. Gtov’e1*nn‘1ente, like in»-
(.ifiViCiLI‘c1].§i?§, are born, I):x.'<;>g1.*eee, become stationary,
decay, and die. A They have their infancy and
xnemhoed, et:x*engt,11 and debility, innocence and de-
*p1*.avit.y, health m'f1<:1 sicktnetcse ; and they have their
old age. They have f1~i.ends to instruct, and ‘pe-
]j'E’..I’1ii..*T+.§ to protect them ; tmitxjms to deceive, and as-
 to <.loes3t.17oy t.};1eirn.. Thei.r i1'1ofm1cy and in.ex-~
peri.ence expoee t.1:1em to inifinite lnazards, from
wee]: e11ppo1'te1~e, iogno1'e1txt .ed.vise1*s, treacherotxs
friends, and open enemiee. The ditffieulties, there-—
tore, with whicli a country has, in its infancy, been
obliged t.oe<:)1‘1t.er1d, the dangers it has escaped, the
}j>1~ogreee it lme made, and the glory it has acqI.ii1'ed,
ere ettbjects, upon Whicih iteif1*iendS W‘i11dW611iWith
jpe(.:u}.ie1* interest and delight. " A
Other coixntriee, Wiiil little reason, celebrate
"HJte_oir o1*i.gi11. QA. conqlieen 2: change of maettere.

4

the substitution of one dunce for another, are hail»-».
ed as auspicious events. The birth of a Prince,
to rule and oppress a people, i to ride on their
shoulders, or tread4‘on“thetir necks, is at source of
extreme delight, . A”.‘nd shall We, Who boast of our
title to freedom, be silent on that day when the
PEOPLE of America decreed, that they would govern.

themselves? A day which made tyrants tremble, it

and humanity rejoice l ,.,A day, when the sun of
liberty rose in his strength, dispelled the clouds of
prejudice and superstition which enveloped him,
and cheered, and reanimated oppressed and dee-
poixidingrinanll  it   V   j r A A “
on the 4th of July, 1776, the united colonies ab»
‘jured all allegiance to Greeat Britain, and declared
themselves “free and independent states.” Orr
the,3d of September, 1783, Great Britain ac-knowl—~
edged their independence 5 and, in 1788, the States
ratified the federal constitution, iwhich, Without
inipairing their rights, united their strength, in-

  creased their power, andconfirmecl their liberties»,

, Bythis lastevent, the rights for whiclxivveiihadr
contended seemed permanently secured. A con»
stitution, whose object was “ to provide for the
common defence, and promote the general wel-—e
fare of the United States,” to be administered by
an executive, deriving, his election from the peo»
ple, with a legislatu1'e, most wiselyiiconstittltetl, 
well the guardians of the states as the people, prom-~
isedla. triumph over the enemies of popular gov»:
ernment; Those, who imagined that they saw
the American States progressing to a state of anpar-a
shy, Vvhiclliwoulcl end in (l.espotis1n, we3,'(;..‘~. ¢.:*e:n:-.

5’

i"oun(1ed,. The alarms and jealousies of the ipeo-
ple ‘subsided, Aerrors were corrected, weak and vi-
eions men were removed by the process of popu—-
lar election, and under those illustrious characte,1*s,A
who, in succession, have Aadrninistered the govern»-
ment, we enjoyed an unexampled portion of pros-
perity and peace. During this period, we were
surrounded with reVol«utions and conquests. The

enerrlies of republics had witnessed dangerssin all 

g0vern~ments but ours. Combinations otA .‘*A‘ legiti--
mate sovereigns” a to depose “usu1*per.sAw_  These
“ usurpers” actually dethroning those combined
“ legitimate sove1'eig11s ;” and the subversion of
ki.ng;c1o1ns and empires, following in quick succes-
sion, were a pretty good comment upon the “ stAa-
bility of monarchy,” and “ the fluotuating state of
all republics.”   A A A A A A A

But it was “said that the ezsperiment had not been
fairly tried 5, that it was in war the strength of
a gove1*11rner1t must be tested, and its defects BX-
posed. The advocates of “ ancient and-venerable
institutions,” abroad, and many at home, were so-
lioitous to provoke hostilities, upon which they
predicted a destruction of our government. The
opinion and belief that our ‘rulers dare not hazard
the experiment, that they ""‘ could not the kick»-5
ed into a war,” brought upon the nation fresh and
aggravatecl insults and aggressions. Wl1at waste”
be done ? To sumit to the seizure of .our prop-
erty, the impressment of our Acitizens, upon the

t most frivolous pretexts 5, or Venture upon the haz-«
ardo us and. untried experiment of war, was the a1-- a

ternative. We,, had, with little interruption, been

6 .

thirty years at peace. lOur feelings and habits
were pacific. We trembled at the thought of shed—-~

. ding human blood:* The lieroesof the revolution

were gone, the artof War was forgotten, oflicers
and soldiers were to be created, and We had none
Wlioiknew” how to create them. Britain, the great-
est aggressor, was powerful ; she was mistress of
tl1e~ocean, inured to war and plunder ;‘ and her
friends, among us, were numerous, faithful and ac»
tive. In this crisis, this conflict between duty and
inclination, government decided as they otiglit.

i Begardlessiof theirpopu1arity,they determined to .

resort to“ arms.   . . up i V
V There is a nationalpride, which is allied to vir-

tue. It is the guardian of national honor. Sol

powerful isthis sentiment, that even barbarians
have suspended their inveterate party feuds, and
united against a common enemy. i And, surely,
it would have been uncharitable tohave suspected,
that free, civilised Arnericaezs, were so destitute of
national feeling, asi?-<to soW‘dissentions in timeof
War, seek safety train‘ the partiality of i an enemy,
or press to power atthe expense of their country’s
honor and rights. It was less to be apprehended,
from the example of the enemy, Which, in other re-~
spects, the opposers Oflllleig‘OVe1‘I1IY1€¥11t‘l1Et(_l felt
proud to observe.  i i l

But no sooner was War declared, than the ad-»
1ni11ist.1*at,io11 were assailed with the most outrageous r

abuse. .The War was denounced as Wa11ton,run-r-.-
justand murderous; and numbers, who voted for

it Were personally insulted, and subjected to“ 'viio- A

lence- ' The” opposition assumed a brazen rim: 

7

the enemies of the revolution were un1nasl<ecl,l and
the strength and designs of the British faction ex-~
posed. t e v t
In this state of agitation, the government were
met with new enrbarrassments. A principal ob-«
ject of the federal constitution was, the controul of
the national strength, for national purposes. To
meet an enemyin the field,and perform the duties
of active and offensive warfare, it was proper that
Congress should have power “to raise and support
armies.” A But as large standing,ia1~1nies were deérne
ed dangerous, in a republic, this power was a subject
ofmuch debate, and excited considerable jealousy,
at the time the lconstitutlitoti*i”‘W‘aslladopted. To confine
its exercise Within reasonable limits, it was deemed
safest to provide a ‘national m.z'lz'tz'a for nationall de-—
fence. It was important, as well to the drfence,
as the liberties of the Union. From these men,
being citizens, no danger could be apprehended.
to the republic; and their being oificeredby the
authority of the state“ in which they were raised,
seemed a suflicient pledge, that they would not be
disposed to invade that authority. They were to
be detached by Congress, who represented, as well
thestatcs as thepeople, and to be commamlcd by
the President, the executive representative of both.
The constitution was explicit. Itgave, expressly,
to Congress, the power to call forth, organize,;arm
and discipline the militia, and to ernploygthtem in
the service of the United States; “‘ to execute the
laws of the Union, suppress insurrections pp and re—~
pel invasion.” “ To provide forthe common , de-
fencef’ and to l: have no dis_cret.ion in the application

0f~t11ai;A‘C1ef%ence;1:t0r of thee extent {of t11eedang+e1~,«
was e a;m:ahsurdity,A fmm which the fraxnexeand sup.-»
porters of the constitution ‘concluded they had
ne13hing*htoAh apprehend» A The unequirvecal tenet of
the  itself; thE:‘AadOCt1?iI1e‘S- advanced in its
euppomh and; the practice,. after the eerganiz.atien.AAef
the go::v:e1%nment,h seemed as “suflic*ien1;guard= agaitnst.
 ampemtrageous G0=]3lSt1?1:1I(3?fi‘;”01'fi. But to the utter
aStQ‘nishment;e of every frie  of the  it: W as
deeidedh in Masesaelxusetts, that the U11itedhSt.ates
had 110% eontroul over the_111i1itia, but at the p1ea~—
$'t'13i'€s;  the states: ;; 7% and 1:1:’1a;tehtheseh..h w.exA-e exclusively.
the j;1~1d*ge.s;hheehf  edanger‘, and mlzgfmi  1:0 wvliafi
emmnt~ the; frnili-tia:A sheauld he: em;p}:yed. I-Iade this
€?€¥rI1f5Sf;*I?11.Ciai*05Fl prevafle d, we;hs11zeueldhhhha;ve bseen redne-
eed to the singular and mortifyinrg crisis, of eight-
een, states, in, time of War, each A deciding for itself
w.:he:n1 ishe U m’ talh States were in demger, and what
 I1;ehc;essa.1'y for their d*eefeneee  safety. Iiliazpw
  for our country, it t0Ao.+mens1;1roAusA ta pre-,-2»
 er ‘wsmqoflh thwa sisateew flylowed the
  rs! lfemt: ddctwtieen.    ;;A bm:tl::ee.a doe:
fi,l:7iIm“.h  generally hleejheetexi es ea; must daénAgeroue
pervexsien afthee cA0.nsti‘fiutien:.A A  A "A “ 1  
Inst;e.ad“ eiie c'ompelIhing M*aeesaehus«etths 130A Tebey*
tail: requisition5th.e. Uniisedi  perm&4,tedA hem‘
to practise  upeneilher A.e»xtraevc1iinamy:v .p~12=ineipI’eA;
to inc;ur~ the responsibility. of? j;ugi*ng:» e:  theeAAA dhm

 

gh.e1:,” and, o~f7co:rurseA, the expmw oi?‘ pr0Midingmgai11sfl~ 1

 flfihe :..I?£-‘$11113 was, what wasAe1ipee1:ed7, andh Whhat“A:Ai:fi,,

pxofia;b132:;,»..al%vvzwF3rsA  hAe, when m*e1i1:ee«ssume)Aa;epewm§
     are  A

~i*pIze"eee-.A

 

Thee   iximded; A hand we: AfieundAi.AAA

29,.

tion from our ii*ien*dship for the eneemy.  f'e;e«-
hle, ineffectual, and disgraceful , resistance was
made, and the enemy were permitted, quietly, to
occupy a large portion of the territory of the State,
until the ‘close of the war. And Massachusetts re-
mains a standing proof of the Wisdom of the pro»
vilsions of the constitution, the folly of opposing
them, or of requiring the g;ene1~al government to
provide for the conmnon defence, and of denying
them the means essential to accomplish the end.
Another embarrassment Was, hexperienced, from
the mercantile clessi of our citizens,jin the Eastern
States. Of the most respectable of these are many
d.i,st.ing,tu.isl1ecl and patriotic supporters of the gov»
ernment. And tl1oug'lr1 most of the rest were 110s»-'
tile to the administration, it was hoped and ex»
pected, that they Would have lent theiraid in sup»
port of those rigl‘1ts,,W1'1i.el1, at different times, they
had been so ldml to defend,  But it was found that
‘*‘ orders” and “ impressment” were not otherwise
etfensive to tlxem, than as they affected their spec-~
ulations, or diminished their profit. These gen»-r
tlerxien had assumed to he the exclusive merchants
of the United States, and had ixnagined that,Ncm~

England was the only part, which was interested

in commerce. It was urged that the War was
waged against comnmm-c,a'ndlthat, could the Eastern

States he permitted tomanagge their own ,conce1‘I1S»

they '1 might the prosperous and happy.  i This
hrought up a imost delicate and unpleasant dlSC1_.1S+'
sion. “ The father of his country” had predicted

that fectiogus men would, in troublesome times, find’
a pretezszt toe,soite. local jeelousiest which miiht

"U

9
dun‘

‘IO

endanger the union of the States ,; and had warned
his rcounftrymen to be upon their guard. The
people of ’ N ew—England are exceedingly jealous of
their rights. To make them believe that their go-
vernment ‘intend to oppress them, is sufficient to
rouse them to resistance. In this case, the leaders
of faction, who were pressing for power, even at
the expense‘ of their country’s honor and safety‘,
took advantage of the creclulity of this description
of merchants, excited their alarms and jealousies,
and addressed their interest and their cupidity.
A merchant of limited information is but an in-

ctitferent r po”1itician.s  atrtachfrnentsrt are often  

strongest, where his speculations are most profita-
ble. Whet1*e his treasure is, there We shall most
generrallyfindt his heart. iWe have, therefore, less
to expect from his patriotism, than from those
tvhoset attachments are at home. These ‘ men,
therefore, were the first and most easy dupes.
They lwere iziduced to believe that their 1*i,gl1ts
We1"e attacked, and that resistance was essential tn
the interests cyi crmzmerce. But upon investigation,
 was found that the commerce of New-England
was entirely depelndant upon the other ‘States.
iUp‘oln the score of interest, therefore, these Iner-~
chants doubted, suspected they had been deceived,
made their calculations, found that resistance was
zznprcyitalzle, compromised with their consciences,
and engaged in the practice‘ of pritjatee2'ing, which
they had before "denounced, as inconsistent with

A honor, “ morality and religion.

 ptpesition.lrlosefrom another quarter. ' In oth-—
«er, countries, altprtiesthtotod have had «a powerful, and

ll

often a pernicious effect in the civil administration
of the State. , Having, in some measure, the su-
perintenclence of education, the controul of con-
sciences, and the custody of the divine oracles,
they had become ldangerous to the civil power.
It had been found, by experience, that when en-~
trtlstecl with this power,they had seldom used it in
favor of the liberties of the people. a The truth is,
the cle1'gye11*e like other men,ancl “ subject to like
passions.”  Possessing 9: thevmeans of gpxatifyilng
their ambition, they do not fail to improve them.
Ltlexuce the most cruel and vindictive wars have
been waged, and the most barbarous tortures and

azinutflers iniflictecl, in the name of that religion,

whose “ gsrlacl t,ic“1in§gs” were “ peace on earth and
njoocl will to men.” a
In this countrr, the clergy had been entrusted

‘wit.h no temporal power, and theyrlhacl ,felt,or af»

fectecl to feel, that humiliation, which well became
the clisciples of “ the II1@€3l{ and lowly Jesus.”
‘Whether from fear of liecoming subject to an epis-
copal hiera.rchy, or of l.osin;z,‘ their liVl1]gS, by 013--

pesinfgg or restraining the i.enclign2xt.i.o1'1 of the people,

or f1'()I11 honest and patriotic motives, certain, it is,
that cflcrtlze battle r2fLe.sing'ton, most of them be

“came zealous advocates of the Axnerican cause,
and contributed essentially to its support. From

their concluct in the revolution, ,tl1eir;, paztrietisrn
was not suspected. » Possessing, the eavenuelsl to the
hearts of their hearers, their popularity was exten-
sive, their power and influence increased; many

‘ of them grew w"an,to11,t and aspired to the controul

cf the civil power. Foilecl in their attempts, and

E

ii

czlespairing of governing at nation so extensive, in»
telligent and free, as the United States, the most
distinguished of A the order, projected the establish»
ment of a hierarchy over a section, to be severed by
foreign and domestic exertion. The moment,
therefore, that War was declared, they took their
stand in favor of the enemy, magnifiedliis power,
complimented his inagnanimity and forbeara.nce,
eulogized his justice, and pronounced him “ the
bulwarls: of our holy religion.” The leaders of‘
the order were most inveterate, wanton and ahu»
sive. ,,Their coarse i vulgarity, their ~ insolent cle-
nunciation of the governrnent, their gross calumnies
against the legitimate rulers of the American pee»-
ple, and their undisgnised recornmenclation of open
resistance, polluted the sanctuary, o.fi'e11(lecl the
christian, disgraced religion, and insulted the Dei-
ty. it They had made peace with the Pope, their
former Anti—Christ, and all the pious curses, wl1:'u:~l't
they used to invoke upon this 4‘ man of sin,” were

«now transferred, with tenfold vengeance. and rnalig-~

nity, to the President ofithe United Statevs I‘ Say
not that we attack religion, when we denounce
those who pervert it. Say not that we are hostile
to the body of the clergy, when We discriminate
against those who disgrace the profession. Our
remarks are intended to apply to those, and those
only, who have prostituted their sacred duties ta,

Vpurposesof opposition to the government.

V“ ‘We venczate the man whose heart is warm, ‘
_ Whose hands arepure, whose doctrines and whose life,
iitloiiittirlpent, ex1~ss;a lucid proof    
T hat he is honest inlthe sacred cause.
To such we tender more than mere respect,
hose actions say that they respect Llxernselvesfl

13

‘But when they use their offices to cover the
rilest and hlackest designs, when they Wound and
insult the lbelings of one part of their flock to grat-
ify the spleen and rancour of the other, when they
attempt to scandalize the only government on
earth, which would tolerate their scandal, we must
andwill doubt, whether they can bethe disciples
of HIM, whose “ kingdom was not of this world.”
Point me to a word in allvuxr. ‘said, which re'com-—
mended 1 or licensed opposition to the government,
where he was, and I consent you take it for your
text, to justify all the virulence and abuse, which
have Cl.if-Mi*.Iinl)0g‘l1e(l from the polluted lips of the vi-
lest incend;i.ary that ever disgraced the pulpit. N 0.
Your divine master did not “ stir up the people.”
“ He went about doing gooc .” His doctrines and
his life were respect and submission to i“ the pow-~
ers that be.” And by his precepts and example,
he proved that “ t.riibute,’i’ even to aimostodious
gove1vu’nae11t., was “ l.awful,”’ when he himself was so
poor and pennyless, that he was obliged to work a
miracle to pay his tax. Ye hypocrites ! who nei-
ther say] as he said, nor do as he did, who neglect
your duties to abuse your rulers, “ ye cannot be
his disciples.” Ye neither W‘ render to Caesar the
t,hings that are Cwsar’s,” nor ‘-‘ to God the “things
that are Goc ’s;."' h For your own sakes desist.
’I‘hink. not to feed yourflocks with politicalifeuds,
when they are starving for “the bread of life ;”
lest pious Christians shall be oflended, andturn their
backs on those sanctuaries which you shall have
defiled with your horrid hlasphernies.

But the opposition to the war did not stop here..

14

A most bold and daring measure was devised and
adopted by Massachusetts. Ata special session of
the Legislature, summoned upon the pretext of de—-
fence, but at Which, no defensive measure, whatever,

A was matured, delegates were appointed tomeet in

conventiomwith others from the rest of the New E11g~
land States, for the purpose of taking the resources
of the government out of their hands; Preventing;
the exercise of federal authority Within these States,
and of preparing the Way to a final S(3I)aI'Eli.l,Oll.
This project was resisted, and its effects and t}e1'1--
dency exposed. The people became alarmed, the
enemy encouraged, and strong apprehensions were
entertained that Massachusetts, at least, would
throw her whole Weight into the scale of the ene-
my. But that Beixig, who has so often interposed
in behalf of our country, did not forsake us in ‘this
extremity. The session which authorized the con-
vention, was summoned after the capture of VVash-
ington, and while the public mincl was depressed,
and, in some n1easure,desponding.  tnothing
~favorable[ intervened, it is ;imp0ssibl.e to say to
lwhatlength, the madness of party would have clriv-~
en this deluded State. But the loss of the capitol
was succeeded by the most brilliant triumphs.
This depressed the enemy’, ands discou1*agecl. the op-
position. The convention met ; resistance was
postponecl,- and several alterations to the constitw
tion were proposed, tending to impair its energy,
and abridge the people of their‘ rights, having no

bea1*ing on the than ;state of affairs, and the fate of

which, is now viewed iwith the most profound inditl

,.fere,nee.; ‘Upon 'l;l’l{3E1C-Cfi‘}_)".lallC‘E3 of the report of

15

hell" cielegates, Massachusetts appointed three cem-
rnissioners as a committee of grievance, to proceed

to the seat of government, to ask, what the United ,

States had no right to give. These disconsolate
gentlemen, after meeting with much tribulation,

ridicule, contempt, and pity, and hearing the morti-  

fyiing and unwelcome intelligence of victory and
peace, A arrived at Washington, were afraid or
ashamed to make known their errand, returned as
secretly as possible, and here the farce ended 2
Thus have I enumerated sorpne of the eiigines,
by which the constitution was attacked, whilelshe
was hufieting the storm of war. But HE, who
Watches over the destinies of America, shielded her
from r the storm, protected her from the tempest,
and brought her to her haven in peace, safety, and
triumph. In spite r of these and other e1nbarrass-
rnents, you see this infant republic rise from its
eradle, and humble the mistress of the ocean. You
see, on the Lakes, two British fleets of superior
force, strike to the rnatchless skillpand unconquer~

. able bravery of Arnericans. You see our young

and inexperienced officers and soldiers at Chippe-
wa and Bridgewater, in lzelclfiglat, meet and repel

a superior force ofthe veterans of the Peninsula, ‘

‘Ethel conquerors of the conquerors of Europe.”
You see, at New Orleans, the most powerful Brit-—
ish army that ever stepped on American ground,

A vanquished, with vast destruction": roof atl1erir,j officers

and rnen, by “ the back rvoo,cls”,farmer.s.. V Who can
doubt, but the God of [battles espoused our cause,
and not only ‘Fcoverepd our heads in the day of dan-

i ,er,’,°' butracovered com‘, enemies, F‘ with shame, as a
5 ..

mant.le,”,a.nd “ consfusion as a garment '-W

16’

And you, fellow citizens, are partalcers of these‘
exploits. If the rulers of your State have endeav-
ored to stifle the flame of your patriotism, and to

preventyour sharing‘ in your country’s glory, the

brave volunteers from Nlassachusetts and Maine,
have gloriously fought and bled for their country.
Many officers and soldiers from this State can
boast of honorable wounds, received at Chippewa,
Bridgewater, Erie, Plattsburgh, and elsewhere, in
defence of our country’s honor and its 1'igl1ts _; and
many a gallant tar from your native soil, has help-—
ed to the dousing of St. A Gcorgds cross to the stars
and stripesrf America. v t A pp  ‘
Yet up starts one of your calculating gentry,and
asks," “ Pray what have you gainer! by the war ?” I
answer, national honor ; “ without which,” as was
once observed by a leader of the opposition, “ na...
tional independence is not worth preservino'.”
Full well I know that this national honor, is a.
commodity which many calculating" Yalahzees can-~

not comprehend. If it is not an object ofspeoula-~ i

tion, they do not understand it; “ "What,’,’ they

_,will, ask, “ is its value in the market ?. it How can it‘l

be ‘exchanged for stocks ?, Willi the brokers takdi’

" it? Wllat quantity of it will purchase a cargo of"

rum and molasses, or sugar and brandy ? VVilI it
pay taxes ? If it will answer none of these purpo-...
ses, it is of no use to us.” . \

Leaving these gentlemen to their speculations,
permit me, on this day, to congratulate you, on

the high ground your country occupies on the ref:-

turn of " peace. In Europe, to be known as’ an
Americmz, is to command respect... ,Weimean an

American. in the legitimate - sense, For we are

17'

toldthat the British «themselves treat those with
contempt who hear the name of Americans, With-
out possessing the spirit. t r * t n r t

N otwithstandirig the increased power of the en-
«only, during the War, and a correspondent increase
of opposition from" our own citizens, the ‘peace is
honorable and satisfactory. Those who aconfidesin
British honor, and magnanirnity, for the protection
of tlieir commerce,and the liberation of their sea--—
men, and those who haveseriously ‘eontendedgiwthat
“ Britain has done us no essential injury,” will not,
surely, regret, that we have no treaty stipulations
on the points in dispute ; and those who have not
the fullest confidence in ‘British justice, or liberali-
ty, will be satisfied that the disgrace of her navy",
and the defeat‘ and destruction of her armies, V are
better pledges for “ free trade and sailors’~1~ightsr,’i
than the most fair and definiteproxnises, t on perch»

But the reputation of Britain stands on tdifferent
ground. She has employed the merciless savages,
yyhosne known mode of warfare is indiscriminate
rntirder. She has marked her progress by a wanton
destruction of monuments of elegance and taste,
aaaiodisgraceful plunder and waste of rprivate proper»-
ty, “ands a barbarous‘ ‘cruelty; and savage brutality,

t uponpersons entitled to protection,humanity, and
ntenderness.t‘ ‘  A “ * V or   ' 

 When powerful and successful; she was ttinsolenn
in herdemands; and when beaten, she yielded» to the
propositions which she had before rejected. u Had
We cavilledg va“ei1lateid.,l and conducted in this man-
her, ‘well might the world have charged as with

3

18

Waging warfor purposesof conquest, ambition and
cruelty. r    g      t r V ~
As the distresseseof the war were unreasonably
magnified, our expectations will be, probably, dis-
appointed byfthe peace.   ‘Wedo not find that sud--
den transition from extreme Inise1~y to extreme
happiness, which We expected, because much of
that misery was imaginary. If, however, we will
improve, from the lessons taught by the War, we
shall probably experience some compensation,
evenpfor its iiizaginmjy evils. ,
v , pVVehave learned the dange1*ofdepending too
Inuchon tfo1*eig11lt1xuries.   These alienate our af-

fections, and impair our independence. We have

encouraged, increased, and improved our manufac+-—
tures, These promote agriculture,. national wealth,
and national attachments. We have found, that,

.hovv'ever important commerce may be to some, its

importance is most felt and magnified by those who
are reaping; its profits. A And if, by the peace in
Europe, our exclusive merchants do not find the
channels of trade ithrougii which they have, hither-~
to, enrichedthemselves, let them not repine ; lest
the world should suspect the sincerity of theirlove

of peace, and be induced to believe, that, had the

War with Great Britain been productive of imme-
diate mercantile profit, they would   have felt less
compassion for their “ afflicted country.” And,

other nations have become their competitors in

otheiritmsiness of transportation, it will teach N ew

v England that a separation f1"om the , othert States,

wouldbe buta changeriof their co1n1:nercialade~v

pendence, fI‘OI1*’1   their OWIII to a foreign nation, pwho

19

have no employment for their shipping, no use for
their manufactures,‘ who care little for their ‘friend-—
ship, endless for theirprosperity. t .

The war has ta1.1g11t usthe importance of agris-’
culture. Wheppn the creator of the world was pro—
g1'essing in his work, he seemed to regret the want

of a being, bearing his image and hislikeness. Not,_

however, that there were no merchants to traffic in
licit or illicit commerce ; not that there were no
lawyers to discuss disputed rights a; not that there
were nowa1*1*iors to defend * o1*vrmsla*ve theirffellowt
men 5 nor that there were no priests torpreach1'e--
Zligi.o11 or politics _; but that “ there was not a «man
to till the ground.” Hence man was taken from
the ‘earth, which he was destined. to cultivate, and
to which he must ultimately return. i The earth is
a kind. and indulgent parent. She administers to
our wants,p.,.enco1.1rages our hopes, and rewardsour
ficlelity. And, thcmtlgll she slonietirines corrects our
p1‘esumption, chastises our rindolence, and frowns
upon our e:st1'a'vagar1c:e, she does it for our refer»
mation and improvement. A.g1ric111t11.1"eris thefa~.-r
vorite employment of Heaven. And, in this coun-
try, it is the greatest security to national attach-a~
meats, prosperity, independence and happiness...
We have, moreover, proved the 'mutua1depend--
ence of the States, the strength of the Union, and

that the constitution is adequate to the purposes cfwar. r

Wiien the ‘rains of faction descended, the floods
came, and the winc1s~b1ew,r and  upon it,‘ it fell
not 5% for it was founded en the rock of eternal jus-
tice. While the tempests of anarchy, and the thun-
ders of desp.otisrn,_s1_1a11 assail it, may it stand uni-«
rnoved, firm as the world, and perpetual as time...

53.0

We are further taught on the necessity of keepirrg
our crrnz.our on. Much as We deprecate the shed-
ding of human blood,the present aspect of the
world gives us little hope of universal peace. Pru-—-.
dence dictates that We should be prepared for the
worst.   We have been talight by experience, that
little reliance ispto be placed yonthe firrnest na-
tioxttal friendship; t And, surely, much less is to be
expected from the friendship of England. She en--t
vies us our happiness and our glory. She views
us as the rival of her commerce and maritime powm»
er.   She is still s11ia1‘ting with the wounds, inflicted
enher, on the ocean, thelakes, and the land.

a. The events, since the peace, are slender evidence

2 of her friendship, Thecold blooded rnassacreiat,

Dartmoor prison, is, perhaps, without a parallel in,

the history, even, of Britislz barbarities. Some
thousands of American citizens, who had been
impressed before the war, were, at its coznmence-,«
ment, held as prisoners. These, with others, were
secured! in Dartmoor prison, in England,» , and the
walls were guarded by aiband of soldiers. A ,

~.QI1,tl1e,sixth of April last, Without any cause,
endupon the most frivolous pretext, the barbarian
who commanded the guard, ordered them to fire
on these unarmed and unofiending American citi-—
zens, and to chargethern with the bayonet. The
ysavage order was executed, and seven were ldlled,
and about sixty Wounded, while 5eggz'ngfo9° mercy f
Whatexplanation or satisfaction will be given by

that government for this murder, is very cloubtful,

frobably it will end like other aggressionsyyg be first
iljustifiedhere, thenrylhcre, and many will conclude it

S21

is best not to dispute about it, unless wecan “n1al«:e

money” by it ,  t ~
Europe is in a state of convulsion. Wie have,
l1itherto;, tekenno part in their quarrels. The am-~
bition of y, the emperor of France has no advocates
 America 5 nor do We feel much interest in the
cause of “legitimate sovereigns.” Wlien Bonaparte
was deposed, We neither fasted nor gave thanks.-‘—--
The restoration of l“ the ancient and venerable in-l
stitu'tions”l of Europe, ‘ ‘1'1 t;L :r civil or religious,
was no cause of joy to us. Not that Weapprehend-e
ed that the threats of England and lier American
adherents would be executed, and the “illegitimate”
President of the United States would be expelled
to Elba ;, but, because we doubted the greatsgood

which would result from the event, And “westill *

doubt, We do notmuch ‘understand it“ the rights
of kings,p” it nor yfullyrelish theinterferenceof fo-

  reigners, to settlethe internal concerns of a nation.

 But a strange event has put thetquestion of “ the

rights of kings” on ditl'erent ground. After the de--

position of Bonaparte, the “ rnagnanirnous allies”
’l)egan to partition all which they had, and some
which they had not, acquired by the t c‘onquest.---—

N ow, While these royal andimperial robbers are

disputing about the division of the plunder, the exile
returns, comes upon their backs, and sends them
away to take care of “ the divine rightsof kings.”
The events Which: shall grow outof this state of
things ‘may, and probably will, be of little i1npor..
tence to 11s.: it Yet, as we know of no 4‘ legitimate
sorereig11s,” except those which derive‘ their autho-«

_;rit.y from the people, may that people, who would

mart i 2 2

choose their own rulers, prosper in the attempt;
and may all combination, to prevent them, be
brought to confusion. A r t
On this day, fellow citizens, let us not forget the
American soldier, returned victorious from the
field; nor the son of Neptune, who has buffeted
the ocean, to meet and conquer his country’s foes.
If you see him in adversity, remember’ his services,
respect and relieve him. Make him “ to eat of
your bread, and drink of your cup,” and while he
recounts his exploits, and shows his scars, afib1.'c1
him consolation, and God will bless you.
A ;And while we review the dangersand glories of
our country, let us not be unmindful of those brave
men, who have fallen in its defence. Far from

home, ina foreign land, unheeded and unknown, ,

do many‘ sleep. No parent to perform the last
rites, or bid a last adieu. No tender and delicate
female friend, with consecrated aflecttion, to retire
to the lonely spot, to bestow tears, roses, or requi-
ems, at their tombs. Some shrouded in their ham»
mocks, are consigned to watery graves. By the
thtindering cataract of Niagara, the bones of many
bleaching lie, whose flesh has been food for the
wolves and "vultures-A of the wilderness. While
others,'under a little turf of moss, sleep to the mur-
murs of the western wave. Few receive the hon»-
ors of a hasty funeral. The steel-clad warrior, in

solemn procession, with arms reversed, and muf—-

fled drum, and minute gun, pays the last tribute te
the memory of a brother in arms I t And shall their

country refuse to raise a monument to their glory?

Sliall these be forgotten, amidst the joys of victos

23

ry, and the songs of peace ? Let us, on this day,
fellow citizens, suspend our mirth, to embalm their
memory with our tears. It is our duty. They
tell in defence of their injured country’s rights.
They gloriously expired in the arms of victory.
They fell .7 but it was to rise, on wings of irnrnor—-
tal fame, to realms of eternal? bliss ! 

By 21 retrospect on recent events, We learn our
duty, and let us perform it. i Let us abjure fo1*ei_gn
attachments, love our country, and respect the ru-»
lers of our choice. Let us discountenance local
jealousies and prejmlices, sedition and rebellion,
and encourage a national spirit; fidelity to the law,
and devotion to the constitution. Let us practise
friendship, charity and forbeznrance, consicleri.ng
ourselves as brethren of the American family.---—~
Then, may we hopethat HE, Wl1o'has so often made
bare his arm, for the salvation of our fathers, will
still hold our “ stars” in his right hand, anclewzdk in
the midst of our “golden candlesticks.”

‘ii’ The Editor is informed, that at the close of this paragraph, the music
muchcd a soft, melancholy, and sympathetic air, which was exceedingly ~im'¢-
prcssive.