‘AN ORATION DELIVERED BEFORE "'6 THE “YOUNG MEN OF BOSTON,” FOURTH OF JULY, M D000 XZXXI. mwmxofimw- .m~m BYTWILLIAMF.OTI$. w&wm BOSTON: CARTER, IIAENDEE AND BABCOCIC; M 1)c c;c: xxxx. EN'1‘ERED according to Act of Congress, in the year 1831, By CAR'1’EB., HENDEE AND Bancocx, in the Clerk’s office of the District Court of Massachusetts. BOSTON CLASSIC PRESS, Iu‘.R:a TU1«.‘.SlI)AY_,JULY 5, 1831. DEAR Sm,--'~At a riieeting of the Comrnittee of Arrangements ofthe “ Young men of Boston,” for the celebration of the Fourth of‘ July, it was “ Voted, That the thanks of this committee. be presented to WM. 13‘. One, Esq., for his able and interesting Oration delivered upon that ooceeiorig and that he he requested to furnish 7). copy for the press.” It is with much pleasure that we have the honor to communicate the above vote, and solicit your compliance with the request of the general com» mittee. In whose behalf we are Your obedient servants, DAVID K1M:e.A.L1:., CI~IA.S. H. LOCIKE, Sub~C'omm':'.ttea. NIEWELL A. T1-Io1v,n:=so1~r, To WM. F. OTIS, ESQ. ....t..m....... ._.....................,,. mm l \VnnN1-“.snAY, JULY, 6 1831. Qi7I~).I?«1"li‘I.]‘«lfi\rff,Ii‘.1\l”,—-I received your very polite and gratifying note of yoeterxlny (;*.\7(:1"1it)g;,1‘e(‘1uC:Si;lt1g for the presze on copy oi’ the Orntion deliv- ered by the on the Fou1'tl1 of July. Tlmt note was obligixigly handed to me in person by one of your commit»- too, and I innnodiutely complied with l1i$3l‘C(]ll0tli1 in giving him the copy, as spoken, in order to prevent any delay in its publication. I have sincethouglttthndjuotiee to the Committee of Arrangements and the “ Young men of Boston,” who received my Add:-eoe with such urbanity and attention, requires me to accompany its publication with it notice that the % sentiments contained in it are those of on individual only, who would be the loot to obtrude them upon any dieeentient; but who, in the absence of all pro» ‘ viouo concert, and without the least intimetioxi of tiny prevailing opinion, ‘Mt it his.-: duty to address the audience in a spirit of candor, if possible, corn- inonsurnte with their generosity, and relying upon their liherelity, uttered his free end und.isgui:-secl impressions, in the full confidence that no one, but himself, could be implicated in their character. t Yours, very truly, Ste. t VVILLIAM F. OTIS. To Dnvxn KI1\«I1‘;3A.LL, CHAS. I-"I. Looicn, N:eW1~:LL A. T1~IOMI’SONa Sub--Committee of A ./Jrrongomcnts. ORATION. MY COMPANIONS AND rrvraxmnne,-— Bnronm we select a theme it will be well for each one to reflect and question the utility of this assemblage. What object? what advantage? This is our Jubilee. We throw off all care, and uncover the heart. for the rofresliirig shovvere of joy. We havespeeolies every day. Oratione are the most common tliirigs with us. And yet, instead. of retiring 4 under grateful shade, or respondirrg the grand chorus of hilarity, we have busily crowded this aolitmr ihouse. And why? A Is it for gratitude? Weyysliould seek oursolitaryolosetsi; or these Walls upon a yet. holier day. Is it for exultation? Have We setup one of our number as a mirror to reflect our own perfeotions, or as a medium through which to behold the character of our ancestors boastfully exaggerated? No. Exultation is abroad; Waving upon every hill, resounding through every valley. While We have set apart an hour to assembled as members of this vast confederaey, and undergo a national self-—exami- nation. l l , r 6 Let us then approach our country. Not awe- struck, but familiarly, recollecting that it is our country, and that we are the people thereof. V if, after all the precious blood that has been shed for our liberty, we were so lukewarm as to be con- tent with a mere comparative superiority over the despotisms and aristocracies around us, we might, perhaps, exult. If we reasoned with the short- sighted policy of Europeans,——--if we could hush the voice of poverty, bribe the discontented, disarm re-~ sistance the most patriotic, stifle opposition the most pure, and purchase the friends of the people with their own perverted gold, we might then exult as other nations do. If the increase, opulence, and prosperity of ourcountry were all that A we could wish, we rniglit now exult as we have done. But when we reflect that the essential, the pecu- liar principle of this happy country, the principle that all power resides in the people, emanates from the people, and is responsible to the people; that this principle, when at the very acme of its triumph, at the full tide of its glory, after its long, its pros»- perous, its unparalleled career, should be confronted, doubted, and denied even here, wherewe have ocu- lar proof and continual demonstration of its benefit and efficacy, it needs no augury to pronounce an hour, of even this day, inauspicious for mere ex-9 ultation.li ‘c y r r ~ I pass over the momentous manifestationsvof that principle which now agitate all Europe, and chafe the Asiatic shores. l ‘overlook Paris, VVarsaw,and '7 \ Athens. ll behold this country alone, and ask how that great principle flourishes here? And I fear my zmswerrinust he, that it lacks husbandry. We have felt too secure. The ruptures of success, in our st1~uggle for independence with the gigeritic power of Greet Britain, and our Veneration for the character of the statesmen and ‘Warriors, under Whose guidance our liberty was mainteiried, leave charmed us into an unwary leisure and pernicious joy; and wl1ile,like lords of the princely domain, We lieve W2j.l.ll{.(3(.l the stately liaills which their nrnis o'lot.::1ined for us, have gl.or,ied in .'arIno1'iz;tls and trophies, 'w}hicl;r their valor Won, l1‘£tV(3 tzarottsed ‘With our followers, rpruffirig the bowl to tltreir rnemory, and joined with our minstrols in cp.1i:ri11.g their ptraise, the wily foe lies heeri 1'e.llilyring the li‘a.grner1ts of his forrces, rulcl occu- piczs the l"I1()il,1.11lLE:l’.llr11.‘Z-.‘», We.tcl'1i.ng to destroy‘ us. It is time r1oW,ytl1e1'e:l’o1'e,r to inquire into our :resources, e.ndr;llitorepairour cendition to meet occur- rences Which admit of neither escape nor tlelsy. The cs,11se of liberty by no rrrezms sure. _The c yeast‘ (-3'lgl111Gt?)I1 hundred and thirty does not exliihit 21 yg1*eet and ggiene1'el victory, but 21 battle yet ragiiig, endnow as doubtful in result, as it will be decisive in its consequences. It is not the Europezui alone, Who should stand bytes the anxious spectator of the conflict, and thereletive of those engaged; We, too, are a partyto the strife; our fields may next feel their raveges,ourpfi1‘esides next perish under their desolating revenge. ‘ M l ‘ it In this country,We lT1?..l‘V.8 done with war; We have estalolislied our independence,» and the sceneswliich t 8 are now displayed in Poland, once reddened the fair landscape which we enjoy. We look back to the evils which now menace them; we recollect the tyranny which they new experience; and when we catch the joyful news of their hard—earned fame,-———~ when we hear how boldly they advance, how bravely they repel, how contentedly they faint and die, we dream that we are reading our own history ; we hear them re-«echo our own groans, our own imprecations, and, thank heaven! our own shouts for success! A But we will not dwell upon these scenes. We wish, to ascertain the fruits and consequences of our independence. We have sheathed the sword, but have we completed our revolution? have we amplified Liberty, and perfected our Naticinal Sys- tem? have we done away with all useless form? have we broken down the walls of monopoly, and let loose the crowd of emulation to rush in and occupy the choice places? Or do some marks of servitude and vassalage yet remain? We are no longer slaves, but do we wear no badges of our old masters? Is not their livery yet discernible in the garmentsof which we are so proud? Are we not even at this day, bound with the forms and prejudices which -we derived from them? Have we not a full share of national absurdities, political nuisances, and public abominations ? A A It is so: and why? iBecauseiliberty lies idle; We have it-~—-p-but we heard it. _ Liberty alone, isby no means what we have been accustomed to esteem _ it. Liberty is the means of National‘ Perfection. We have worshipped it as the end. 95 Liberty is a plant of tenacious root, of inextinguish-V» able vitality. But whether it shall shoot forth With‘ Vigor and overshadow the parched territory beneath, or whether it shall barely existsin a? tame and unprofit- able vegetation, depends upon the evening careuand morning toil of the husbandman. e A We have trusted too much to the vigor of this plant. We havelleft it too solely to its natural growth. ~True, we have venerated it;, We have assembled around it; its buds, as emblems, have bloomed in our breasts ; ‘ its foliage has shaded our sportive dances, sheltered our councils, and solem-l nixed our prayers; but We have forgotten to culti- vate it; and by that neglect, the purposes of our revolution, and the effects of our independence re-« A main incomplete, and languisli with a sickly and scarcely perceptible existence. = We have felt delicacyin carryi_ng out our sys- tem, ““should* no‘ ‘l’ilio11ger feel. Time has proveditssuperiority; Whythen should we check its operation, or doubt its durability? If We once A give it full force, it vvillhurl fromitselftheparticles A vvhich impede it, and crush dovvn everyobstacle in “ its course‘. -5 W I do not mean to deny that the doctrine of the equal rights of E man, and the supreme povverrrof the people has made admirable progress ;» that We are lbetter acquainted vviththe nature of our republic; and, as avvhole people, that we are more confirrned i in our confidence in lar}f1*eelgovern1ne11t. {But it must, atthe sametime, be ac,k11oWlredged,tl.1at a fewrp: l 0? id! 10 unfortunate instances of popular preference, the un- expected‘ exercise of discretionary power, and the alarming discoveries of profligacy and intrigue, Where We had a right to expect purity and honor, have in» fected vvith doubt and consternation some of the -firmest advocates of our principles. The discontented even here are a party; even here, there is an outcry against existing abuse; here odious measures continue unredressed, and Worthy families are beggared by prescription. Even here, the press unfurls , herded ever Welcome banner, and gathers around her the” hosts of opposition. The people are infallible! shout the majority. Yet be- holdhovv the people are deceived. The people are wise! yet they are circurnvented. Vigilantlyet traduced. Consistent!‘ yet capricious. Just and grateful! yet they have punished their innocent friends, and have forgotten the long tried affection of their ‘faithful servants. Were such the purposes of our Revolution P The effect of Independence The offspring of Liberty? If so, wherein is the great merit of our system, and Why should We ezxult? A A "A A Unparalleled as it is, ours is, as yet, an imperfect system. Itsvvast proportions were admirably calcula- ted for symmetryand strength; its materials are hewn frornthe indestructible quarries of the native earth's; our ancestors laid its ponderous foundations deep on the solid rock,and raised its stupendous col- iuinns far above the level of all’ surrounding edifices. 1 Their Herculeari efforts ‘served to demonstrate the W5) ll possibility of tl1e task; they completed enough to insure the perfection of the design, _When old age overtook them, and they died,leavi11g it for us to finish. Where they left it, there it remains; idly waiting for some more patriotic generation to raise it to its destined height, while haply the moss and ivy leaf will stand for its inscriptions, and time, the destroyer, will outstrip the builder’s hand. We should be slow to attribute the imperfections which deform our system, to the system itself. There is no fault in the design; no defect in the construction ; the site is vvell chosen; the materials at hand, and all that is requisite to insure to our country a continual career of prosperity, an unfading vigor, an ever renovating youth, is a determination . to eradicate the obstructions in the road, to tear down the antiquated scaffoldings, to abandon the mise1'aple tools and cumbrous machi.11ery, with which it has beieinsurroundied, and ‘vvith the strong arm of the people, to go t0.W01'k— , A r y t This determination has longtsirice been planted, and is now ripening into birth, and the yoiing men of the present day will patronise , its growth, they may soon {reap the fruitsof National Perfection. The first,ob,stacle_which presents itself tothis de—— termination, is a venerationfor antiquity, and its es- tablished customs. This is one of the badges of our ancient vassalage; and it is difficult to conceive, how a prirrcipleretarding our celerity and so inco- l herent. with the entire spirit and savor of our gov- ernment, can exist. 12 'We profess, that all our institutions are the most , beneficial for the people. If they are so, Why is not that fact enough to cornrnand our utmost Veneration, and Why should We look. back into antiquity to over- whelm ourselves with any additional awe? There is nothing more useless than this sentiment. It adds no purity to real merit ; its indulgence may give sanction to acknowledged abuse; it is allied to an ignorant superstition ; it is a grovelling homage, ex- torted from imbecility to support usurped power ;“ it is the common prop of every tottering throneigj it has been urged and enforced as the silencing condernna»,- tion to many a patriotic appeal; it has sealed the li.ps and fate of the poor; has consigned the laboring classes to inferiority; has transmitted, A unsubdued through generations, the fatal virus of political cor» ruption; and has grantedto every monarch and no-» bleman plenaryindulgence to inflict at pleasure his feudal persecutions. Q t It is this blind, this idolatrous veneration, that has raised up in this couritry an implied obligation, at war with our express duty. It has given precedent its power; it has anointed the faults of our predeces- sors tobe more holy than our rectitude; it has l"or- bidden investigation, resisted inquiry, and defiedtlie mediation of reasonand common sense. It discoun- ages enterprise, checks discovery; and pointing scorn- fully at each rising generation, bids them kiss the rod of its high authority. Why shouldiiivvre venerate an earthly customer? Why,in thisland of sunshine, where we can witness 13 the growth or A every day, where there is no cause for concealment, no profit in evasion, why ‘should we resort to our imaginations for a conviction tl1at our reason would declare P Why should we erect altars to an unknown deity, when there is neither tempest, famine nor plague to excite our superstition. It is not only the established customs of antiquity, which lord it over our veneration; the institutions, is which we can trace to their origin and recognise as the work. of our own hands, these also call upon us to fall down‘ and worship itliem. If any human institution were perfect, it would enforce its own duration. The sound sense of all mankind would uphold it. But if all our institu-- -tions are temporary, and rnust sooner or later be sub- verted, it is the part of wisdom either to provide sub- stitutes, or to constitute them of so ductile a mate- rialthat after ages may shape them to their wants. John Lockeyandl Thomas Jefferson carried this principle so far as to declare, that even the constitu- tion of a nation should ‘contain a provision for its stated expiration. Then why should we wring our hands whenwe bid adieu to these mouldering cus- toms and crumbling institutions P Why should we cling to them as the liome of our childhood, and ‘shed tears in beholdirig them recede, when we know that in winding down the broad ‘stream of ourcountry, We shall pass through many a happier clime and arrive at our inheritance in vales of Elysian fertility, Shall we, then, confiding in ancient customs and institutions, idly abandon our country to its destiny? 14 and suffer it to stumble and blunder with us in its progress 3’ Or shall we go forward gallantly, as its pioneers P explore its future dangers, hevv for it a broad and smooth path P anticipate its exigencies, and shape it to meet them with success. i If we yet hesitate, let us look. at Europe and be-— hold how she has drifted down the tide of eighteen , centuries; ever changing, alternately receding or advancing, as she falls into the varying currents; now threatened with instant destruction, and escaping perhaps by sheer awkwardness ; now on thevery eve of refuge and prosperity, but plunging ;into the only strait encompassed with real danger; now pausing in the jaws of ruin, to meditate upon some idle fancy ; now abandoning the path of her salvatiorl, to gratify a vain revenge. lt is revolting, it is? sickenw ing to behold her. Her lofty frame, her noble mind, her admirable vaccomplisliments, serve but to deepen her degradation, and we mourn more bitterly the hopelessness of her reform; in i To what eminence would she not have now attain- ed, had her youth looked forward to futurity, unblind-e , ed by a superstitious veneration forestablishetd institu- tions: had they disregarded the watchwords ‘F church and l<:i.ng,”;re_jected the collars of iiobilityyspurned , their golden coronetsaind jewelled stars, and aimed boldly the good of the people and the ameliora—-n tion a World A l r A t i As is,nsl1e has missed allher glorious, opportuni- ties ; shehas suffered unnumbered changes, cutter and entire 1'evolutio11s; hasbeenii overrun byalrnost all 15 the nations of the earth :, has wiped from her surface the vestiges of successive empires, and yet now pre—- sents an aspect, hideous with the leprosies of her Tiberian age, and reeks under the very symptoms, Which provoked the mockery of the Goths. For three centuries after the birth of our Saviour, Rome, the mistress of Europe, exhibited at once the most ignorninious depravity, the most brilliant lite- rary excellence, and the highest political grandeur. Nation after nation was successively reduced to her sway, and captive kings followed the triumphant chariots of her ge11e1‘als, through A crowds of adoring people, and poured out the riches of their distant do- minions into her insatiable treasury. Christianity silently pervaded the corrupt multi- tude, Whispered its grace into their obdurate souls, and after it had gradually increased, despite ofoppo- siticn, toa fearful st1~epngtl1.,landbur11ed in the breasts of its tentslaniiii eil“r“ur1dreds*of thousands, it attracted then ‘i the regard of royalty, rWEtS decked outand dress»-. ed up in all the trappings of the antecedentidolatry, and presentedito tl1erEmperor, hirnlseltf; Still it was Christianity, and was recogriised as such. Why then did that not producea change in Europe 2’ Why did notthat renovatethe World? The answer is plain; Christianity, under ..,C011SlZE111l‘.lI'1e. himself, could not repress the venerationt of the Roman ‘peo- ple for their ancient institutions. . The state religion was changed. Yet it was astate religion, and enact- ed with implied provision to be subservient to the pleasures, games, orgies, ceremonials,gvices, luxuries, 16 assassinations, and all other abuses and outrages, vvhich had always been practised, allowed, and ap-i proved, as the birthright and privilege of that people. Something more was requisite,“-some plague, or flood, or famine; something to quench utterly ‘tllt-3*‘ old manners, and lay waste the whole surface of so- ciety fora new growth. ’ We step down another century, and find the bar- barons nations, at first, Withholding their customary tribute; next, from slight and local skirmishes with the :1 Roman taX~—gatl1erers,r augmenting tthe revolt Withvarious Afortune, accurnulating strength, learning the art of success from continual defeat, then con-~ fronting and routing theveteran armies in the regu- lar field ;, then redeeming their Wasted provinces, drivingvvholelegions beyond the Alpine barriers, and at last menacing the imperial gates, and exact-r» ing tribute from the proud city, which built her pal»- aces with their‘ spoils. ‘A ’ r A N ext comes Theodoric the Goth, ~—-A--- the great, the christian Tl1eodoric.; We hope that he, zinthtesu- r premity of power, in the glovvtof victory, in indig- nation at the rankness and corruption of Rome, land in contempt for their idolatryi, we hope that he will A revolutionizetl the country. A?But he spared the Vtemk-r ples, yr sanctioned the eAga*’Lsrrres, tolerated the manners, venerated the ancientrinstitutions,r—-9- and his dynasty r i A i t A A A Italy,Aatthedavvn of renovation, fell back intoher r original A darkne”s“’s, and " became Rome onceili more. Again Vvvasi rshe ‘overruriV;, again reclaimed, and at last submitted to the common destiny of Europe. 17 The great change was then complete. We saw the northern nations rise like an impetuous flood, until the earth seemed to sink before them. The Alps were overcome. The mountain gates were choked, and the overwl1eln:1ing tide burst in wild tor- rents from‘ their very heads. The waters rushed over grove and garden, hill and vale, city and coun- try ; immersed the whole face of creation, and left not an olive branch for the dove of peace. But no sooner were they equally diffused, than absorbed, they sunk into the soil over which they had pre- vailed, and their slime, uniting with all that was foul, engendered a more monstrous progeny of the ancient abuse! Hence arose gigantic cathedrals, huge castles, fiefs, benefices, vassalage; despotism in fractions of every denomination; bloody—handed religion, girt with the sword, usurping the sceptre, bestowing the crown I ‘ A ..Hardly the northern nations subsided into their new dornain, ere the Moors threatened them with as dire a destruction as themselves had inflicted. The universal dangerandthe general interest,at- tracted all Europe to the church, as the only com- mon remnant and relation. Mahomet’s ferocious Saracens had scoured Mediterranean Africa, leaped the dividing straits, overrun all Spain, and penetra- ted into the heart of France,before the Carlovignian hero humbled them in the bloodiestvictory of the world. a ll Religion ascribed this preservation to the Creator ; but superstition, in blind gratitude, fawned upon the 3 1 I8 servants of the altar, and the glory was given to them. Leo and his iconoclasts were abhorred as impious innovators, and the old perversions triumphed and prevailed. We come now to an event, which has bound Eu— , rope as a precedent for more than a thousand years, in fetters, Which, though lately shattered, even yet rnanacle her fair limbs. The treacherous Pepin dethrones his master and places the stolen crown upon his own head; and to establish his . ill—gotten.rpyalty, procures a confirma- tion from the Holy See, and presents himself to the people, sanctified with the same ceremonials, which the Emperors of old obtained from the Patriarchs of Constantinople. Thus We see the earthly church elevated to be the maker of kings, Who, strength- ened With her authority, awe their subjects into an E acknowledgment of the ¢rigl1t divine. Here is an end to all hope from the new nations “of Europe. Their independent soldiery, their vol- untary associations, their free assemblies, their meri- torious appointments bow before the idol of estab- lished institutions. Liberty is lost. The people are dumb. The World hasxreceded, and the Emperors commence anew vvitl1»Charlemagne. s Tofollovv history from this period, We must de—- scend into caverns of utter darkness. .The fresh in~ A cursionsiloflfluns and Normans from abroad, and the feudal system at home, drove mankind to the final consolation, and surrendered the laststronghold of independence into the pale of the church. \ Europe, 19 at this period, seems to slumber in the darkness and insensibility of midnight; the sun of intellect seems totally eclipsed, and we shudder as the last pale ray is shut into obscurity. r But who can describe the glory of the succeeding " dawn? o What magic pencil can trace the quaint de- ceptions, the beautiful illusions, the glaring changes which the first transition from darlszness spread be-— fore the enraptured siglit‘? , The mists of ignorance, surnrnoned from their un- seen abodes, rise and disclose vast r'egio11s, soon to be l+;indIcd into busy life; the doubtful outlines, the coroiftrscd boundaries, become boldened into a real and :fix:ed landscape ; mountain and slay unblended, paint the serene horizon, and the retiring clouds, flung into grotesqrre and fitful drapery, gild the scenery, which they yet obscure. The voice of man, the hum of industry, the choir of civilization strike the:lrear‘,ldesolat‘e prospect, asif by some fairy wand, wakes into anirnation and glories in the gorgeousriess of living day. it o r or We behold the feudal” castle perched onits airy height, its sparkling towers pinnacled with all. the gaudy colors of heraldry, and around its gothic portal rallying the tenantry of urinurnberred acres to follow their gallant young lord torthie holy land. For him the lazing pours out his treasures ; for him the clergy offer up their prayers. , The ' ‘fairest hands have em- broidered his banners: the holiest lips have conse- crated his sword ; and he goes to cope with Saladin, ,--—--- Palestine, the goal ---—~rLove, his reward. r all therelentless weapons of logic. 20 We hear the clamorous schools and wrangling universities, vexed with litigious disputants; rioting in subtleties, raging in syllogysms, and inflicting mayhem, torture and murder in every degree, with Down from his lonely tower walks the nightworn astrologer, mourning the light that interdicts his further traffic in the stars. The monk, the alchymist, each at his shrine, seeks his consummate treasure; and the Venetian mer- chant struts on the proud Rialto; while Venice, fair Venice, risen from the bosom of the sea, gilds her palaces with the riches of the East, and covers the Adriatic with her marine. Europe is once more in motion, and again We hope for reform. E if The Crusades, which impoverished the noblernen, elevated merchants to a respectable rivalry, enrich»- ed the cities by commerce, and relieved, by the ab- sence of their oppressors, the few vassals who remained upon the soil ; but as the power of the no- bles decreased, that of the monarchs augmented; and the clergy stood ready to place their feet in either scale, while the people ‘were regarded by all as the mere dust of the balance. At length, after a barren interval, the age of Ba»- con, Descartes and Galileo commenced ; and human reasomafterhaving been immersed in syllogisms four hundred years, began to walk abroad. Charles the Fifth now a concentrated in himself the martial glory of Europe ; Henry the Eighth, in the qualms 21 of histender conscience, established a church in England after his own heart, and with himself at its head, in lieu of the Pope ; Elizabeth soon followed with her coquetish tyranny, and after a century of more or less persecutions for Religion’s sake, we find Charles upon the English throne. His career is a part of our own history and familiar to us. He fell, ‘ and never was there a more deci- sive and entire revolution, followed by a more mel- ancholy relapse. A commonwealth was so perfect- ly established, that Cromwell ‘dared not accept the crown, proffered him by our: transatlantic brethren. But no sooner was this master-spirit departed, than the old rule of family succession was applied, in the elevation of Richard. Tlris was a most unfortunate and irremediable“ error. When we heard of it in the West, we would not lrearkerr to it. He wrote us ; but in Vain. We h.adwexperie11ced the greatest eommercirallprosperity underrr Oliver. He removed our disclualiiications, exempted us from the onerous exactions wrung from the other colonies, and was the only ruler of England that ever had. an ade- quate idea of our importance. We were not ready, however, to submit to the son out of gratitudeto the father. Such a submis- sion implied that Charles theSecond wasthe lawful l<;ir1g;l itsanctioned the principle of family succession; and that principle wantedonly a constructive sane- tion to awaken the old veneration for the established institutions. What was our surprise, then, in the midst of our republican congratulations, suddenly to 22 find ourselves the lawful subjects of the merry nion-- arch, Whose own admirable qualifications were aided by the counsel and advice of a Rochester. This was a relapse, for which We never could forgive our Eastern fellovv—country1nen. Resistance was vain. We were too Weak even to demand conditions : and although», under different pretexts, We postponed the proclarna-— tion ‘l of the king for a year, his tyranny had already enforced the most hurniliating recantations of our political heresy. I A i We endured allthiiigsrunder the renevved rnonar=- chy‘ until sixteen hundred and eightyeight, when the spirit of Bostonians,oppressed beyond tolerance, rnadea desperate struggle, imprisoned the executive, attacked and carried the forts, took the king’s ships‘, and overturned the governrnent. A This revolution, though abortive in effect, like those which preceded, should always be held in dear remernbrance by every‘Bostonian as the early indi- cation of that spirit, vvhichin seventeen hundred and sixtyfive exhibited the briglitest page of our history. But Why should We trace these e-Xarnples farther? Why course down another age and apply our re-~ rnarks toevents of daily familiarity? The eighteenth century ends; and throughout the whole we lookin vain for anything like"a1 regular train of irnprove~— nient. There is a want of design and foresight in thetransactions. ,The gains are all incidental. The advantages are fortuitous; while the objectsare generally criminal or vain, and the events unex-— pected and unsatisfactory.’ “ ’ l “Q3 But We invariably find the usurper availing him-- self of ancient customs and institutionsto confirm his power; and we discover no more potent and infallible charm to procure acquiescence and allay discontent. Had there been any previously concerted, well- organized plan for improvement in Europe, hardly have any ten years elapsed, without opening an op- portunity for its introduction, But with them,,all projects of amelioration have been stigmatized as treasonable plots; all popularschemes have been rejected as chirnerical; Wliilewe have arisen under the foot of oppression, and Without precedent or experience have attained an elevation hitherto re- garded by them as visionary and utopian! But, so far short is our present condition of the height to which We aspire, that We are as yetin comparative infancy; and so over-cautio.us are our respected gua1'di,ans,r~~so timid is the public sentiment, lest we should carry our principles too far, and depart too Widely from the beaten track, that We hardlyneed expect to be stripped of your svvacldling clothes until We have strength to tear them from our own limbs. ~ What perfection have European nations attained, that should lead us to respect their institutions? What falsehood do We discover in your own princi-g ples, What frailty in our ownorganization, that bid us recoil from athoroughexperiment P We have a free religion, at free press, universal suffrage, and trial by Jury; and with such assistance, if we cannot wall; safely and find our own Way, neither could we 24' though ADAMS and JEFFERSON should arise this day if if from the dead. Another obstacle to National Perfection is, a pre--‘ dominant influence of the Politics of Europe, and particularly of England. it There are no doubt good English works upon political economy; volumes of patriotic examples, and eloquent harangues against usurpation and abuse; but their tone is tootame for our atmosphere. Their object is, to reform a present evil; to prevent a sin- gle difficulty. They stop: at at fixed line, and all beyond is chaos andobscurity. The conscience of a subject of that government must be quieted, before hecan take a broad and universal View of the good of the Whole human race. He must open the ,vol- umes of expediency; he must call upon his imagina-— tion to rally before him a host of angry consequences. He must balance the probability of success. with the effect of defeat- This done, he strives, ably, inge- niously, triumphantly strives, to make the present equal to the past. Hemust pledge himself not to do too much good. He must not give the people more liberty than their education enables them to use with discretion, and must always provide that the people shallnever determine how much thatis. He must shudder at the imputation of “ Radz'calism” and Reform. He must make some allovvancefor human imperfection. He rnusttake» the World last it is, not as it ought tobe. Finally, he must act upon the principle, l“F7§at7justz'tz'a mat ca9il'wm,.i’v’ provided nothing therein contained, shall be construed to af- 25 feet the prerogative of t the king, the privilege of the nobility, the monopoly of elections, and the estab- lished church. . But the young American“ is nottobe deterred from Wholesome innovation by the cry of Radicalism and Reforrn. Nob lurking treason insinuates itself, unbidden, into his heart. Guilt seizes not upon his imagination. «He may promote any succession, un-- ravel any usage,attack any principle of the constitue- tion, and, provided he . can ameliorate, he finds a generous people ready to follow. l The fathers of his country’s liberty were stig1na— tized as radicals. The signers of the declaration of Independence were contemned as innovators. And, instead of subverting the foundation of his co‘untry’s glory, he feels, and knows that i.n all his aspirations b for improvement, he is brushing away the decayed- leaves and faded flovvers,.,l,rrto hangs fresh garlands l Waesliingtori. t 2 A childof old England, Alnelica long felt for her a filial regard. a One hundred and fifty pyears .were linked to her destiny. Througllwdesolatirig Wars, our arm was at her side. Ourlittletreasury yielded her its annual harvest; our pcommerce poured outmillions at her feet; onrrtlsoldiers were honored in h.vC;1'g ranks; our rseam,en,-i_n her ships; and she, the , mother country, was, the standard of national perfec-e tion. -We believed, up to! the declaration of Indef- pendence,.that there was no other or greater liberty than the liberty of England; v and all we demanded 26 of her, until the sword was drawn, were the rights of Englishmen. T The theory of her three estates was capable of plausible defence, and had sincere admirers: her division of the executive, legislative, and judicial authorities, was esteemed the guarantee of lasting power, wisdom and justice ; her bill of rights seemed to include all the definitions of liberty; her habeas corpus act was an impregnable shield against oppres~ sion; her jury trials were the triumphant vindica- tions of the innocentfree. T t T Addedto the real merits of these institutions, the forceof habit and a continual experience of their utility, endeared them to every Englishman, whether of the East or West. It is not wonderful then, that many of them have escaped that scrutiny,which new projects would excite, and that the impetus of their former popularity should have carried them some distance in our ascendant path. From a11 analogy to the English, we have invested our Executive with a princely patronage, as if the recipient of the tree gift of the people stood in need of ‘furtl1er popularity. A r . InlVIassachusetts, wehave adhered to their mode of representation. Principalities, Dukedoms, Coun- ties, Boroughs and Corporations give the right to vote I The people are "made for the towns, not the townsforithe. people! Such were the principles, and they yet remain. ’ For they told us but ryestierw day in the people’shall, “ Touch not”Tthe‘ rights A of tliese venerable corporatio11s, which they have enjoy- 27 ed since the foundation of the country,” and "With such words, the people, the living beings, the respon- sible souls, Whose rights areccoeval with the founda- tionof the World, whose interests arefor eternity, they are to be postponed to this strange partiality for bodies politic! , From them, too, have we derived lm r sonment for Debt. Trampling on the bill of rights, We have arrogated to ourselves a jurisdiction overthe misfor- tunes of innocent men; and without even the shadow of a law providing such pu11ishment, have erected in each county our human inenageries, and peopled them with victims, in multitudes that would disgrace the dungeons of 0tho’s noblemen. To that same source also, we may trace much of the personal asperity which vitiatesour political dif- ferences, and which is alike the enemy of candor and truth, which compe1sus,from artificialgconsist-t tency, to adhere to ourenro1*sl,,,,a11d enslaves the press to promote our adopted measures, Whether right or VV1'011g_ — g g g r “ l p g p, p The influence of English Lavvupon our ‘country, is as yet greater obstacle. There is afspirit among the people, Which, at times, forces its Way through every politicallprejudice. .But the barriers of the lavvintimidate the boldest assailant. One noxious effect of this is, that T instead of attracting due odium from the people, the Law has ever with a most professional dexterity, shifted off the burden ofher reproach upon her unhappy disciples. A Let us recollect, in surveying the law of our coun- 28 try, how long the world lay under the dominion of the syllogistic system. The method of learning kept all manltind in ignorance; and the faint light of that philosophy was not quenched by opposition, but was outshone and eclipsed by the superior radiance of reason. If We apply reason to our laws, they will soon become reasonable; but if We indulge personal controversies upon a subject so abstract, the evil may be protracted and increased. a The common law must soon come under the un- sparing hand of the reformer‘. Already it has re»- ceived as deadly blow from the most unexpected quarter. a One of her own courtiers, at her palace of Westminster Hall, has raised the ruffian steel against her, and she might with as much melancholy apti- tude and classicpathos, as any hero of ancient or modern history, cast a dying look upon the lord chancellor and exclairn,“ Et tu Brute I ” Another, and perhaps the most serious obstacle to our progress towards National Perfection, is the influence of foreign literature and manners. Of late, even nobles have become authors. Byron’s success made authorship quite torm/13371., and a herd have fol»- lovved in his path. y A A fashionable novel has been found no despicable vehicle for the plausible doctrines of aristocracy. Fashion and folly have been ably portrayed as in- dicationsof a capacity for governing, and the imagi- nary phantom of intuitive genius elevatingan idle rake to an equality with the rnan of ; industry, has been brought fortriard With strong insinuations of reality; A A w V y ‘ t Y r l The nobility have had their fancies for centu- ries, and the WO1‘lCl has But it now manl<.ind are thinking, studying and inquiring. A It i is the age oi A intellect, and intellect will be the eerie- terion of a success and superiority. Here then is an interesting struggle. orders, so called, is to circulate the belief tha.t no industry or exertion can ever enable one of, What they call, the lower ordersrrtoiiascend from his in-— feriority to an equality with themselves. They do not pretend to define the great insur- mountable characteristic; but they allude to its close alliance with intellectual superiority. They assert that there is a certain exquisite apprehension, pos- sessedby themselves, essential to perfection inany design; and A which, 4, though sirnperceptible by the 1 ‘tr’ ls? w r at rtesapensive chord in one of their exalted degree. This undefinable trait is at portion of their nature, and pervades their«ri1rlt”rsons, actions, manners and productions- ii i . t Enduedfyvith this magic power, theycotmmand, at once, all the keys of knowledge and wisdom. W bath the mechanicl is taught by intense application at a profound lecture, they inl1al,eiiw«itl1 their champaigne, perhaps at a fancy ball. b At theirstylish repasts they imbibe Newtonian principles, which would cost the mathemiaticiain months of painful calculation. They i dictate immortal pamphlets, while under the hands of their valet. Hit upon expedients to re- Thegreat object of the higher a 30 lieve the nation from its perplexing dilemmas While on their way to the vvatchhouse ; and awaken slum-~ bering Europe to her imminent perils by a crack of their tandem Whip. l A , Europeans who ought to know, have justly ex»- claimed, that it was marvellous with how little Wisdomthe World is goveriied. And What need of pai.ns-taking politicians, and (3Xp01‘l011C(3Cl financiers, if a race of gifted bloods can prescribe tlie law of nations, extempore, and can evisoerate, at a tl‘1o11gl,1t, the intricacies of coin, currency and the public funds. Why should , We summon from their blest abodes, the shades of Sidney and of Junius, if a Regent Street can usher from her Athenian club-rooms, the master-spirits of Pelharn and Paul Clifford. This combination between fashion and literature, to aid in maintaining the divisions of society, may have a pernicious effect even upon our own coun- try, unless at oncetsubjected to the ordeal of public scrutiny. A t The charm of literature has rescued from disgtrst and oblivion ages of extreme depravity, and to this, rather than to any taste, its eager adoption by the higher orders is due. But however captivating foreign l1igh—life, how- ever richly emblazoned with literature, the Ameri- can, in searching there forhis models, will cornrnit the; most grievous error. The character of the higher orders, if we may believe their own vvit-- nesses, is not only utterly heartless and immoral, butis entirely incongruousvvith the mode and tone 31 of our society. Rank is their deity. The first circle is the highest heaven; and that once pos- sessed, the coldest crimes,.the most appalling guilt are softened into pardonable extravagance, or smiled upon as engaging traits. l r A A ‘ Nothing has ever blackened the human heart and seared the conscienceinore irretrievably than the manners of European high—life. Their errors, follies and violences have signalized other ages; this, they have blighted with the mildew of cold, contemptuous selfishness. Their Wealth and privi- leges must be supported, if ~ the laws are warp- ed. Their luxury must be pampered, if the country mourns; they succeed if by subtlety ; they triumph if by treachery ; adroit in policy, cunning in ambition, they maintain their own preeminence, and sooner than relinquish the extortions of their birthright, they would sprinkle their palacerfloors with the blood of the provinces,i andrtWash*’t“ihem with the tears of their own poor. r It becomes us to frown downall similarity to, them. If we are rich and seek a European example, the star of Lafayette still sparkles in the east. If We are poor, our own Franklin has left us an example. He showed, that while coopeduplvvithin the humblest sphere, and bound to unceasing occupations, the hutnani soul can range unfettered, through the uni-— verse, can soar beyond the young eagle’s play-ground, and follow in a path which the vulture’s eye hath not seen. i t We aim at National Perfection. Other people 32 1nay excel their ancestors, we aspire to anticipate and outvie posterity. With us is the choice, either by adhering to EU.1‘O]_3G€l11 maxims and institutions, un- der a vague and groundless estimation of their secu- rity, to make our history merely a modified t‘fepeti~— tion of time—-honored abuse, or by following nature, reason and justice, to raise our whole population to an undreamt elevation of dignity and happiness. It is in vain for us to seek for security elsewhere than at home. i j. y t No form ol:'govcr111’inent,r11or checks and rbalances, no predominant interest, no custom or institution, no fundamental principles of policy, can alone ma:in- tain that security. The great object for us to pur-- sue is justice. Perfect justice, as indiigiduals, as bodies politic and as a nation. We have power enough, ——- liberty enough,—--though idle. A Stimulate them to exertion, attain justice, then wisdom, Virtue and happiness must succeed, —- then shall we have National Perfection. For this attainment we need not follow in any beaten tracl«:.. In adhering to our old Englisliprejw dices, in rallying round European institutions, we chain ourselves to the beacon, which we should ap-- proach only to avoid. Justice will be a new _7:ll3l3'€|.lI1*' ment, and must be sougllt in a new path. , Arpath to be discovered by retracing many steps, and to be preserved by the guides of religion and morality. “ Do I seem to mcommend Violence P . t Far from it. Where supreme power is possessed, violence is iysuperr fluous. Violence has too long checlteredthe earth with 33 herfitful and fruitless turnultis. But I do reconnnend deterrnination. All do applaud a spirit of fearless and indiscriminate reform. I do place relianceupon the high principles of our country, and feel but little confidence in ancient forms. I would laywaste With “the sword of reason, tempered in our own consciences; I would burnwith the conflagration of public opinion, kindled in our hearts; I would rivet vviththe fetters" of irresistible conviction, self+-irnposed by avoluntary surrender of our prejudices. But I would seek no exaniples from barbarous customs, from abusive institutions, from corrupt policy, frorn heartless laws, from lL1Xu1‘1l0L1Slite1’atL11’e, or from profligate society. , If we seek examples for our country and for our- selves, let us» resort to the new-created West. There the fountains are uncorrupted. I There civilization meets nature uninipairfegl. There vvecan behold l10W the riarrnedii grapples with the Wilder- ness, and thence We can return and imagine howour fatherslived. Europe presents much to our view, but,’America still inore. ‘There, liberty, like the buried giant, st1*ugg1es beneath the trernbling moun- tains. There, from aroused nations, swells a new rnurrnur, like the “sad genms of the coming storm.” There, Scythia frowns againvrupon the devoted South, and the shade of Kosciusko Walks with the noon—day pestilence amid their affrighted hosts. We need not envy the young Poles or the yorrng Parisiaris the harvest of honor and glory, which tliey 344 have reaped, and are now rezrpirlgf. '}l_‘nl1e1'e in Wo‘rk enouglr for us at l1ome. A We can do much for Europe by doing more for ourselves. We lnnst perfect our systexn, zuld Show What liberty is Worth: We rnnst convincethe rich and the poor that it is the l"onntai11 of ‘].llST,.i(:Gp, the source of prosperity, the safeguzwd of the c:i't;izen, and the foundatio11 of natiolml perfection. We rnnst A prove that it is i.noo1npa.tible Witl1 inmlnlomlity nnd irreligion. We 1nusr.rsig11a.lizc3: under l:iberr._‘y' our .respect for the pL1l)liC‘1nnre.1s. rWo 1I]1;lE»“l'. purge our hi.g11 places from stairle of 1)17o:fliga.oy", §§1,1n1“