O K A T I O N '■^ OF i i k I I f I ROSCmS W. JODSON, Esq, DELIVERED AT :isroRTH: l^^wredstce. JULY 4th, 1862. Fiiblislied. "by PJ.eq.u.est. OGDENSBUEGII: ADVANCE STEA3I PRINTING HOUSE, WATER STREET. I8n2. I S f i I i I ^ m (I •| OR A.TIOISr. BY EOSCIUS W. JUDSON, Esq. Fellow Citizens : — I give you joy on tliii return of this great occasion. Other days have claims to our notice and regard, and upon these each has his du- ties to perform and pleasures to enjoy. Hail ! All hail this festal day 1 Thousands of throi)bing hearts swell with thankful- ness and millions on millions of happy voices welcome the return of our Nation- al Anniversary. I see i)etore me thousands of eyes, sparkling with delight, and faces beam- ing witli joy and pride. Upon other days we may devote ourselves to party, secular or personal interests, but I thank . God there is one day in the year when ■^ all can meet in unison — no contention — ■^.^^ no strife, all in harmony and love, each • rejoicing in the proud title — American * Citizen. Behold the radiant sun in the ^ heavens! How fair a type of the sun of « liberty ! Let us greet its genial rays with Y joy anil gratitude. Yes, the great day has come, our day of days the holiday for freedom, the jubilee for the world. No one can mistake the occasion — no one can be indifferent to the scenes pre- sented by the return of this day. All is joy and gladness, and I would that the pleasant sights that now greet my eye might be witnessed in every town, village and hamlet in our land. Then should I feel that our blessings w-ere appreciated, and that our Republic would be immor- tal. Yes, we are assembled on this bright and beautiful morning as equals — as a band of brothers to unite our willing voices in the general burst of joy now swelling the bosoms of twenty millions of freemen. No party animosities embitter us — no sectarian views divide us— no tri-colored emblem is seen in our midst: but with one heart and one mind, free as the air, we are here under the broad blue canopy of Heaven, with the stars and stripes wa- ving in the breeze, to honor the great day of redemption from feritish rule. Prom its creation the world had been plodding along for centuiics as best it might, all obscured in darkness — all surrounded by doubt. If any one knew his right«, duties and obligations, he did not successfully present and maintain them. It was reserved to the Patriots and Sa- ges of. olden times to break into this old order of things, and on the Fourtli of July '76, a new era was ushered upon an astonished world. Then, for the first time, was it stoutly asserted and boldly maintained, that man was a being that had certain rights and priviliges, and that he was quite capable ot governing himself. "It is fitting we should celebrale this great event that gave this blow to tyranny and oppresion. We do well to revere the memory of those brave men who came boldly forward, and asserted a doctrine that overthrew the favorite one that "Kings caa do no harm." No wonder that the startling truth caused kings to tremble, and nobles to quake with fear. Time will not allow of my tracing the history of our Country from its earliest existence — from the time when a few da- ring adventurers searched out this new continent of ours, or speak of their toils and sufferings, and thence advert to its history prior to tl)e day we commemo- rate. You have just listened to them drawn by a master pen. Neither will you expect me to present on this festive ocasion a detailed account of the early days of the Repul)lic — nor speak of the sufferings and privations and energy of our Fathere. I need not reherse in your hearing the scenes of the Revolu- tion. I shall not take you it imagination to the battle field of Lexington, where the first drop of American blood was shed for our liberties, nor to old Ticon- deroga, memorable in historic events, nor to Bunker Hill where our gallant soldiers poured out their blood like ' 7 water in defence of our rights, and where the lirave Warren gave his life to save his country. Neither shall I ask you to go with me to the memorable fields ot Bennington, Saratoga, Trenton or Ger- mantown. You have often listened to the recital of the stirring events of tliost days. Neither shall I allude to tht scenes connected with the second war ot 1812. The gallant conduct of our noble soldiers on many a well fought field, plainly showed that they inherited the spirit of their Fathers. Those scenes are all fresh in your recollection. I shall endeavor to speak to you thi^ morning upon the blessings given us in our beloved America, her present position and future prospects. Where shall we find such a country as ours? I do not wish to cherish in any shape a spirit of national pride or glory. or to excite in others a feeling of disgust towards any other nation, but when I think of the part that this Continent has acted and v^ill continue to act in tht grand drama of the world, I can but bless God that I am a citizen of this liepub- lie Do we realize our position and ap- preciate thb many priviliges and bessings we enjoy ? From thirteen feeble Colonies we are grown to be thirty-four Sovereign States. Cast your eye over the length and breadth of our land. See the forests beuding be fore the woodman's axe — flocks and herds covering the plain and the waving liarvest spread over the fields betokening a rich reward for a summers industry.— Our Schools, Academies and Colleges opening their invaluable treasures to every son and daughter in our land — the Arts and Sciences encouraged, — Agricul- ture and Commerce promot(!d, — thepow er of thought and the liberty of speech left free as the air of heaven, each at liberty to pursue his own avocation un- disturbed, — to worlisip his God as his con science shall command, — the oppressed and downtrodden of all nations fleeing to us for shelter and i:)rotection. What ii glorious Country ! What a rich in- erihtance 1 Civil, literary and political How binding the obligation to transmit this precious boon to those who shall come after us. And, yet wonderful to relate, there are those wno wish to de- stroy all this goodly heritage, and sur- render all these blessings — to divide these States so long united and under which we have received so many benefits, to dissolve this glorious Union formed by our Fathers after so many years of toil suflering andssaciifice — this Union sealed with their blood. The secession monster thirty years ago, when in youth, showed his head for a short time, but it was so awful and hide- ous that it alarmed the whole country, and the nation then was just recovering from its second clash of arms, its second war for Independence, and the spirit of patriotism ran high and strong, and the recollection of the stirring events of the Revolution and tl;e war of 1813, fresh in the memory of all, would not allow this frightful fiend to go unheeded. More- over, the ship of State had at the helm a man of nerve and a true patriot; and, "Old Hickory" swore "by the Eternal" the monster should i)e crushed, and it was done. There is something remarka- ble in the fact that about the time the last Patriot of '76, had gone from us, treason sprung up in our midst. Men who had been reared and educated by our Government, who had been honored liy places of trust and profit, pi'oved to be nothing but black hearted traitors, seeking the destruction of that very Gov- ernment from which they had received so many blessings. Look at the black catalogue of crimes committed against our Government They jDlundered our Treasury, robbed our Arsenals, stole our Arms, sent our vessels of war to the ends of the earth, attacked our Forts, shot down our soldiers and citizens in cold blood, trampled in the dust our Father's flag, and sought by force of arms to destroy the best, the most benign Govern- ment the world ever saw, and, for what ? What had our Country done against any portion of its dominions ? What act of our Government had been unfair, un- just or oppressive towards any State or people and particularly towards the South. Let no one, my countrymen, lose sight of the principles involved in this struggle, this wicked, this terrible war, waged by Southern traitors. This is no dollar and cent war, no war originating on the spur of (he moment, it is not to resent some faur ied or real in- jury inflicted by individuals. It is meant for us, and long meditated by their lead- ers, and they seem to be terribly in ear- nest about this work of destructioa. Wlien the rebels on the ever memora- ble 13th day of April '61, fired upon old Fort Sampler, they made a direct attack upon our Government, shot down United States soldiers, and tore down and tram- pled in the dust the emblem of our Country. The war was an absolute ne- cessity on the part of our Government. We waged no war. The Southern trai- tors violated the Constitution, disregard- ed our laws, bid defiance to our Govern- ment, asd instituted a new government of their own. This was treason against the Government— treason of the deadliest kind. We au engaged in a civil war. We are fighting for tlie maintenance of the Constitution— the enforcement of the laws — the life of the Republic. This is all that is necessary we should know. We should not pause with our Govern- ment in this perilous condition, to en- quire who is responsible for this shedding of our best blood, or who were the per- pretators of the deed, but sallie forth man- fully at our Country's call for the protec- tion of the Union and the Constitution. If in the stillness of midnight I see the flames issuing from my neighbor's house, does it become, me to stand calmly by and witness the destruction of his prop- erty and vainly inquire by whose hand the match was applied, and with all possible dignity exclaim, let him who kindled the spark extinguish the flame ? Oh no ! If such were the case then just- ly should I merit the scorn and indigna- tion of all mankind. How freemen were aroused to action, and how wonder- fully they nerved themselves to defend that Government which had been pur- chased by the toil, sacrifice and suflerings of the patriots and heroes of '76. Oh ! how did they rush to arms and march to to the Capital of our Republic to defend it against the hosts of traitors, and most manfully bave they battled for our rights, and what a scene now presents itself all over the land 1 Two mighty armies, throwing into in- significance all others that the world ever saw, oppose each other face to face. The patriotic East, the noble North, and the gallant West, pour out in vast numbeis, their best young men, while thousands flock eagerly around our nation's stantl- ard, ready to fight and to die, to show the world that there is at least one spot on this continent, where people can govern themselves. Our fathers passed through many trials and privations, to purchase the blessings we have long enjoyed, and our brave defenders now in the fielil, should receive the heartfelt gratitude of every patriot. We are witnessing wonderful events. These are times that try men's souls, and all nerve themselves for lieroic achievements. This is confined to no class. Toil, privation, suffering and loss of friends are well endured cheerfully for the good of our beloved country, even natural parental afl'ection is over- come to save our Republic. And on they go like true patriots, ready to defend the nation from the traitor's grasp. They know full well what may be their fate and each can adopt the language: — " Few— few shall part, where many meet The dust may be our winding sheet, And every "turf beneath our feet Hay be a soldicrfl sepulchre." No one need have any fears as to the final result of this struggle. The end I trust, is neither distant or uncertain. Let us summon the virtue of our people. We have men enough, and those too of the right kind. There are those scattered all over our goodly land who have hearts single to all that may be demanded in this hour of our Country's danger. What the nation wants now in every station is men, stern, strong hearted, irou-willed iren, because they are men and the men for the times in which we live. Men who know their rights and duties, and knowing them dare maintain them at any hazard. The people must take matters a little more into their own hands. We have more than five hundred thousand brave soldiers in the field, and if they are not sufficient to subdue this rebellion and punish traitors, five hun- dred thousand more stand ready at a moment's warning to go forth to battle, and to : Tictory, and if they are' not enough, and it is necessary, a million more will step forward in defence of the Republic. The decree has gone forth, the solemn vow is recorded above. '"The Union must and shall be pre- served." Need I point you to the signs of the times? The Union cause is pro- gressing finally. There is Port Royal and Beaufort, Forts Henry and Donelson, Columbus acd Macon, Pulaski, and Island No. 10., Corinth and Memphis, Nashville and Newbern, Roanoke and Williamsburgh, Norfolk and Fredericksburgh, Yorktown and New Orleans. All have fallen be- fore the invincible power and courage of the Union forces. The standard of freedom will soon wave triumphantly over the remnant and ruins of the Con- federate Capital. On each field where such valor has been* displayed, there should be a monument erected, tower- ing high toward Heaven, to point fu tare generations to the spot where sleep the ashes of the brave. The same scenes are enacted now that were witnessed in the Revolution. An old farmer had five sons in one of the battles, when it was over a friend said to him, " I have sad news for yon," "What is it ? " asked the old man, "Have mv sons run awav from the bat tie?" "No ! But one of them is kill- ed." "Bring him to me," said the old man. As the Father wiped the blood from the face of his dead son he exclaim ed, " This is the happiest day of my life to know that my five sons fought nobly for freedom, though one has fallen on the altar of his Country." This feeling is inherent in the bosom of every patriot. The child may for get its parent, the king may forsake his throne, the sun may fail to shine, but the true patriot never can forget his be- loved America, or cease to love the glorious old flag. With tearful eye and throbing heart we can all exclaim, " My heart strings ronnd thee ding, And memories o er thfC dwell, On field and deck thy wing, has been a free- man's shroud. Old Flag ! the storm still brave I And tr.iitors h'ave the spot, Wh le we've an arm to save Your rage shall harm it not." Each day brings us some good news, so-ne victory, something that lightens our heart. A little more than a year has indeed brought about great events in the history of our beloved country. At that time treason was gnawing the very vi- tals of our Republic, destitute of army and navy or any means of defence — the Treasury plundered— several States in op en insurrection who, with Southern im- petuosity and rattle snake venom were endeavoring by every art and means to destafoy our Government — treason and perjury polluting the Senate chamber. What see we now ? The rebels surround- ed on all sides by the determined bayo- nets of Northern freemen, with sure pros- pects of speedy and total annihilation without the least ray of hope unless they submit to the Government. Yes, the Government is vindicated. The enemy are ours. They may strug- gle but they are firmly bound, they may prayerfully appeal for foreign aid, but it comes not, and ruined — ruined may be appropriately inscribed upon the door posts of each rebel's dwelling. The mag- netic wires bend beneath their welcome burden, while thousands of voices ex- claim anot ler victory to the Union arms, and the gallant achievements of our ar- my arc echoed with bursts of rejoicing, in quick succession by twenty millions of . freemen. It matters not how crooked the stream,how difficult the navigation, bow many barriers are placed in our way, our gunboats push their way through, and spread death and destruction among the enemies of our country. It is true these many victories have not been achieved without the consequent disaster of an advancing army. The life blood of many of our fathers and sons has crimsoned the waters of a South- ern harbor, or bathed in blood the rocks of a Southern inland, or many a noble hero stricken with disease has found a last resting place beneath the sods of a hostile and rebellious State. We all have representatives in this vast array of freedom. Tne vacant places around your hearthstones plainly show that you too are represented there. Little did you think, oh mothers! that your sons whom you reared with so much tenderness and love were destined to become the cham- pions of liberty. A tear for those who fall ! peace be to their ashes! But be of good cheer, friends, the day of our re- demption draweth nigh; our government has been vindicated at the point of the bayonet,and at the cannon's mouth, and it will be maintained at any cost or sacri- fice ; the masses who have been fleceived and betrayed will return to their alle- giance, while the leaders will be hung as high as Haman. Never ! Never dispair of the Republic ! And in this struggle what a generous part. the patriotic ladies of our land are taking ! How much sacrifice they endure ! How hard and -4\ illingly they labor for the comfort of the noble men ■who have gone out from us — par . of our- selves. Husbands, sons, fathers, brothers, all standing shoulder to shoulder for their beloved country. How their hearts are cheered and th<;ir hands strengthen- ed by the sympathy of a woman's heart, and the labor of her hands. God bless the noble, patriotic women of America ! They will receive the thanks of every lover of his country. Yes, and future generations "will rise up and call them blessed. Foremost among tlie many pleasant memories of our country's history upon which the christian patriot loves to dwell, is the fact that the arm of Jehova has ever encircled us as a nation, and His watchful eye has ever been upon us. The first Congress met in Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia, in 1774, and was opened by an appeal for His guidance and friend- ship. The great and good Washington used often, in the solitude of the forest, with Ijended knee and heavy heart to lay his plans before His maker and seek His aid and direction. Trace our history from that time onward and what is the result ? Our prayers have been answer- ed, we have l)een greatly blessed and prospered. Who gave us the assistance of the rich and influential Hancock — the persevering and practical Franklin— the bold and aaringEtiian Allen— the dash ing and couragous Wayne and the gal- lant Marrion ? Who gave us the p'lre- minded and far-seeing chief of General George Washington ? — whose name shall live and be revered when empires crum- ble and thrones decay. Who was it. when things looked dark and dreary when trouble occupied the minds of our generals, and the first dangerous sypm- toms of discontent made their appear ance among the remnant of our army roused their drooping energies and gave the courage equal to the emergency, and made them battle successfully with the English hosts ? To all these qestiong there can be but one answer. The God of our fathers has done this ; He has cared for us as the eldest of his children. He has by his tenderness and love, enabled us from a feeble colony to become a great and mighty people, exaulted above all other nations of the earth ; and think you, fel- low citizens, that we shall be forsaken now ? that our national history is ended ? that her mission is complete ? that this child of so much care is to be strangled in its infancy ? that our sun of liberty is to set in blood ? I tell you nay, sirs. — Our country is but in its childhood. Her high and holy mission is just begun — its influence is felt all over the world, to be loved by patriots and f ared by tyrants. What a powerful influence our country has e.xerted ; what but this has stricken the chains of despotism, giving by a sin- gle l)low, freedom to half a hemisphere ? and it shall resist all foes from without and traitors within. It shall stand im- moveable, like the oak of the forest, re- sisting the winds and the storms, or like yonder flinty rock, whose proud peak de- fies the dashing of the tcmpetuous wave. We shall live and not die. Yes, our be- loved country shall survive the struggle and continue to occupy her proud posi- tion in the front ranks of civilization, as long as the world shall stand. We have had some sad, but many joyful days in our nation's history. The first battle o^ the American Revo- lution was fought on the 19th of April, 1775, and as Adams and Jefffersnn stood upon a hill, overlooking the wonderful scene, and saw the British fire upon our men, and Harrington fatally wounded, (all into the arms of his wife, no wonder that the patriot Adams exclaimed, "Oh, what a glorious day for America." And after 8 long years of tod, sacrifice and suf- feiing, on the part of the patriots of the Revolution, and the last battle had been fought, and the last victory won on the ensanguined jjlains of Yorktown, what joy, and what gladness must have filled the bosoms of all, as the welcome tidings .sped from heart to heart, "Cornwallis ie taken, the war is over ." And when at last our independence was acknowledged, and peace, sweet peace smiled throughout our land, what a happy jubilee they must have had. And when in the war of 1812, the biilliant achievements of the hero, Jack- son, at New Orleans, gave the finishing blow to the war, how did the heart of t! e nation [eap for joy, and when with lightening speed, shall be carried to every '6 nook and corner of our land, the joyful news, "Richmond is ours, the rebellion is crushed !" what a thrill of joy will burst from every patriot's heart. Twenty-two years ago to day I had the honor of first addressing my fellow citi- zens upon an occasion like the present. — What progress, what changes, what im- provements have been made in our land. Our population has been increased about fifteen millions. By American ge- nius, the telegraph has been jJut in ope- ration nearly over our entire land. Rail- roads have connected the North, East, South and West. The five Presidents, Harrison, Jackson, Adams, Polk and Tyler have passedaway. Nine new States have been added to our number, and large territories acquired. — Clay, Webster, Wright, Douglas, and many more most eminent Statesmen all sleep in the grave. I would, that in the Providence of God, some old hero of '76 could have been spared to come up here to-day, and listen once more to the roar of cannon, the blast of the trumpet, the stirring rattle of the ' drum, and the shouts of freemen on this glorious Anniversary. — We can never forget their labors and hardships. A nation's benediction is their's. Few, alas ! too few, remain among us. I am happy to welcome here to day the soldiers of the war of 1812. We greet you as the defenders of our liber- ties, tile sharers in our second war for In- dependence. The blessings of a free people rest upon you. And you, young heroes, with smiling faces and bright prospects before you, treading on the up ward path to glory, following in the footsteps of your fat lers, and some of you bearing honorable wounds, received while defending your country from the gi'asp of traitors. What word of exhortation or encouragement can I speak to you ? My heart is filled to overflowing with admi- ration of your excellent qualities, and gratitude for your noble deeds. Stand firm, be strong, and your names will be respected and esteemed by future gene jations, as the saviorsof our Government from the hands of the spoiier. You shall be honored as the heroes of '62. It is fitting we should commemorate the glorious achievements of this day. — To us is committed a rich and invaluable inheritance, and ours is the part to trans- mit it, with all its blessings, to the latest posterity. " Other nations have fallen, and we still nre young ; our sun is but rising, while others is set." Each citizen of this Republic has duties to perform, according to the sphere in which he moves, and one of the most binding, as well as the most pleasant duties, is to see that the Republic receives no detriment at his hands — that we fall not out by the way — that no strife — no contention — no root of bitterness spring up by which the great principles of our Government shall be forgotten and our glory depart. Let us guard the Constitution and Union of these States as the palladium of our country's glory — the sheet anchor of our hope. Brand as a miscreant the man who would harbor the thought of the disunion of these States. Let the " slow, moving finger of scorn " be pointed at him until he blush with very shame. Let the never-erring, omnipotent voice of puulic opinion be heard like the mut- tering peals of Heaven's artillery, hurling anathemas upon the wretch who dares utter the first word of f'.isunion. "Dissolve ihe Union ; speak ye hills, Ye everlasting mountaius cr.v : Shriek oat ve streams and mingling rills, And ocean roar in agony ; Dead heroes ! leap fr im Glory's sod And shield the manor of your God." What ! my countrymen, has it come to this ? Destroy this sturdy tree of liberty with its thirty-four branches all pointing heavenward to the abode of those who cherished it in its infancy — if our saint- ed forefathers who reared it from a sin- gle bud, enriched it by their blood until it has grown great, and extended its branches and shade far and wide ! And fellow-citizens, it shall stand. The black clouds of treason which now hover ov'Cr it shall in vain discharge their thunders and ligntnings upon it. Arms of iron and hearts of steel support and defend it, and many a ueart-felt supplication as- cends to the great God of liberty for its preservation. Yes! it shall stand im- movable as the eternal principles at its base. He, who for any cause, or under any pretence would plot the destruction of oi;r Union, is not only a traitor to him- self, but a traitor to his country and a traitor to his God. Secession ! Disunion ! What heart- rending words! Sooner than see this fair iieritage of our Fatliers divided, and our America rent asunder, let the ocean wave become her sepulcher, and the orb of heaven forget where she exists ! Disunion! Before I would defile my lips or pollute my heart with such high- handed, heaven-daring treason, let this right hand be struck off as a cockade for the cap of a Nero, or a sign-board to point the way to my gibbet ! I will not presume to speak for others but I have no fears of the downfall of our Republic. Willi morality, industry and integrity on the part of the citizens of our laml it needs no prophetic spirit to foretell th it our glorious Union, found- ed by a W shington, a Jefl'erson and an Adams and cemented by the best blood of patriots and heroes is destined to con tinue, increase and grow great until the trump of the Archangel shall sound, and call tlie nations to judgment ; and that the last sight of earth that shall greet liis eye will be Freedom's banner wrap- ped in the flames of a dissolving world Then pointing to a beautiful flag at his right, Mr. Judson continued : " Oh. starry Jlag of Liberty 1 Briglit bauuer of Ihe Free," Tyrants may hate thee and traitors be- tray, but thou blessed flag of our Fa- thers — thou shalt still live and shine on and on as long as liberty has a being upon earth — and freemen hate oppres- sion. Strong arms and brave hearts de- fend thee. " Wave on ! wave on ! thy shining stars shall gleam Where rebels hold their courts and foes convene, Traitor- shall quake and tremble at thy ^ight. And freemen's tons shall win this holy flgut. Yes I we love thee and will defend thee to the last. We love every thread and ev- ery fiber. Our fathers, in olden times, gave us this Veautiful banner of red, white and blue, and one star after another has wave, been added to its bright galaxy. Count their number — thirty-four— and let us all here to-day record one solemn vow in Heaven, that come what may, not a stripe shall be erased or a star dimmed while time shall remain. These perilous times, I trust, will soon be over. There is an abiding love for our country that can never be subdued or destroyed by trai- tors. Soou- soon I hope we can all say : " The good ship UnionV vojage is o'er At anchor care she swings, And loud and clear, with cheer on cheer, H'-r joyou-' welcome r ng-i. Hiirnih I hurrah ! It eh-ki-e the Ic thiiii4cr on the shore. One land ' le hea t, one hand, one flag. One nation evermore." Never! oh, never let us forget that this invaluable! ,i':y of Free Government is confided to oui care. It is too rich an inheritance ; it was purchased at a sacri- fice of too much blood and treasure to be parted with at any hazard. A monument of itself, standing out in bold relief, it has stood the strife and tumult of years. The hopes of the patriot, the an.Kieties of the philanthropist — aye, sir, the prayers of the christian, too, are centered on this asylum and resting place of liberty. — With such pillars to support our national edifice, may we not exult in the hope, that to the end of time, new triumphs will be witnessed to the march of freedom in our land, until the whole civilized world shall feel its happyfyi.ig influence, and acknowledge its mild and general sway. Events are now daily transpiring, fraught with momentuous consequences to the rights and in' rests of our beloved country. Let us all be alive to the spirit of the hour, and prove ourselves equal to the task before us. Let every patriot be true to himself, to the Constitution, and to the Union, and be ready and willing to preserve and sustain them,even though he should sacrifice his all to accomplish 80 noble a purpose. '^ryi^~. ^-e>t 011 8®*- LIBRARY OF CONGRE: I! '^ 'M! I 111 011 801 825 4 HoUinger pH S3 MiU Run F03-2] LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 011 801 825 4 HoUinger pH 8^ MiU Run F03-2193