^ AN ORATION DELIVERED BEIORK « The Associated Disciples of Washington^'' ON THE 22d of FEBRUARY, 1312. / TflE FIRST JjYA'irERSJRY OF TU& INSTITUTION. By SAMUEL UrKNAPP, Esq. NEWBUEYPORT: TROM THE PRESS OF E. W. ALLB>r. 1813. t- At the Anniversary Meeting of the " Associated Disciples ot Washington," held February 22, 1812, VotED,-^That Dr. Lawrence Sprague, Mr. ARd^iBALD M'Phail, and Mr. Paul Noy£s, be a Committee to present the thanks of the Society to Samuel L. Knapp, Esq. for the elegant and patriotic Oration pronounced before tliem, this day ; and to re- quest a copy for the press. Attest, JOHN R. HUDSON, Rec. Sec'y / ORATION. This is the birth day of Washington. He was a philanthropist of unalloyed benevo- lence, a warrior of unparalleled success, a states- man of consummate sagacity, and a patriot with- out reproach. When living he was more loved and honored than any man who had lived before him, and when dead was more widely and deep- ly lamented than any man who had died before him. Twelve years have passed away sincQ. this country, with ten thousand tongues bewail- ed, in all the eloquence of grief, his exit to eter- nity. Friend of man, saviour and father of thy coun- try, sainted spirh, if thou dost behold the fallen state of thy once beloved country, how keen a pang must even now pierce thy heart, otherwise replete with joys of immortality ! Yes, methinks I see the departed father of America, before the throne of the Arbiter of Nations, with eyes moisr tened with such tears as angels shed, supplicat- ing mercy for a people degenerate and ungrate- ful to Heaven, and madly piercing their own vi-. tals ; that the demon of discord may no longer drive them upon destruciion, that they may re-* turn to reason, correct' principles and sound poh^ cy. Let us, my associated friends, enquire what that pohcy and those principles were, by the ope- ration of which, from a handful we became a na- tion, and which filled our basket and our store^ caused joy ^nd mirth to be heard in our streets, and made America the envy of nations, and a- nother name for^raitional liberty. Let us then examine the causes which have enfeebled our powers, exhausted our resources, and made us a reproach, a proverb, a hissing and a by-word a- niong the nations : And if there are any remedies for these evils let us investigate and ascertain them. We will not detain you to relate the painful, but glorious history of our revolution ; for v/e have dwelt often and long upon its distresses, its hopes and its triumphs, but will commence at that period; of awful rest when, exhausted by loss of blood and sustenance, America, — "the battle done," bowed her soul to the God of Armies, with a heart throbbing with the remembrance of her sufferings, and a head aching with projects for future days. If we look back to tlie conclusion of our war we shall find the situation of our country — v/as poverty, weakness and anarchy. — Our treasury was exhausted and we were almost bankrupt. At length a constitution Vv^as formed, which bind-^ ing all left each one free. A constitution, which is in theory, a combination of all that is excellent in ever}'^ governm.ent. — Our Sages drew not from one fountain alone ; for we discover principles in our go\''ernm.ent drawn from the wild inde- pendent spirit of Scythia, from the jvisdom of Grecian Laws, from Roman institutions, and all the modern governments of Europe. This con- sdtution brought national and individual energies into action. Industry was every where seen. Our commerce grew widi astonishing rapidity, Our ships Vv^ere fbu^id in every part of the v/orld. On the north-western coast they Avere purchasing of the wild and salvage nations their furs. On the other continent traiBcking for every article from the iron and hemp of Russia to the silks of Per- sia, *' and the spices of the Islands of the sea." A- mericans were once found every. where in pursuit of riches. The classic traveller met them among the tombs of the Antients, and the Pilgrira found them as he journied to JN(Iecca or Sinai. Truly it may be said the harvest of the river was her revenue, and she was a mart of nations, a peo- ple whose merchants were princes, and whose traffickers were the honorable of the earth. Washington and his compatriots understood the tiOi^ principles of nal,ional dignity j the pow- er and consequence we had in Europe, and ef- fected treaties with the different nations, that contain more generous and expansive principles of national law than can be found in history. The offices of government were filled with men of correct views, honorable feelings, and tried virtues. The measures pursued by Washington not only gave us peace, prosperity and praise, but habits to sentiment and elevation to intellect. The refinement of modern Europe was incorpoi fated vmh the stern and primitive manners of our country, and the union exhibited strength witliout ferocity, and taste without sensuality. Under this wise administration the progress of civilization was wonderfully rapid. The charms of literature reached the humblest walks of life, and changed roughness and barrenness to cour- tesy and knowledge. In remote country villages were found men capable of filling high offices of trust and honor. While the active, industrious, and enterprizing were gaining wealth, genius was developing itself in useful inventions, and devis- ing plans of general utility ;— and in fine, the whole system of administration was formed with so much wisdom, and put in motion by such ad- mirable policy, that we became a theme for spec- ulative philosophers, and a pattern for statesmen. All the measures of Washington were open, hold md fair, no mean subterfuges, no equivocal con- duct, no paltry double-dealing-, disgraced his act- ministration. He was a stranger to that misera^ ble jargon of fear, phrenzy and hypocrisy ; that despicable evasion of important subjects, by mi- nute attention to trivial matters, which have so often insulted the ears of our present legislators. Washington's advice to congress, his recommen- dations, his legacies, his interchange of offices of civility, were expressed in language pohshed as that written at Athens, and plain, pointed, and pithy as that spoken at Sparta. He did not give us a few sentiments only on the great belliger- ents, and occupy whole columns on our red brethren. Fain would I draw a vail over the Allien for- tunes of my country, and dwell v/ith lingering delight on that era of happiness, that reign of Apollo ; but strict duty, stern necessity, and anx- ious wishes for our future welfare demand that we should boldly trace the progress of our de- generacy, and the baleful history of our debase- ment. In the morning of creation, the serpent lurked in the garden of God, to seduce innocence and destroy tranquillity ; and in our political par- adise were spirhs of the same bloated malignity, the same fascinating arts, and the same cursed falsehoods ; they poisoned the minds of the un- wary, and ignorant, and foolishly ambitious, and they may now revel in the same joys which elat- cd tlieir great archetype, after the success of llis labours. Difficuhies which at first bowed to the talents, and character of Washington, were soon discov- ered to exist among Us. The extent of the coun* try was too great for a perfect political sympa- thy between distant sections. Aspiring dema- gogues seized every prejudice and complaint, and alarmed, with the cry of danger to liberty^ the jealous and uneasy. At this time, the French revolution poured on the world a flood of loose sentim.ents of morality^ and religion, extravagant notions of human per- fectability, and fanciful, and delirious theories of government. These witcheries of folly, and wickedness drove from us that regard to sober things, that love of wholesome restraint, that dread of the consequences of vice, which is the "preservation 'of laws and the stability of govern- ment. As soon as the standard of oppo: ition was reared, hosts flocked to it daily. The un- principled ambitious were there, as leaders, mak- ing inflammatory harrangues, and spreading in- famous falsehoods. The restless and unhappy joined ; for no change could bring them misery, and many of the timid followed from fear. We will not be so uncharitable as to suppose, that there were not some men of honest intentions who v/ere gulled by specious arguments and plausible subtleties. Young men were courted, and many of them at an age when they were in- competent judges of a proper course, were allur- ed by promises of honor, and emolument ; and when the reigns of government came into demo- cratic hands, were rewarded by offices from which were thrust, the aged, poor, and infirm, who had shed their blood to obtain the revolution. How many from whom better things were expect- ed ? How many of fair promise^ and virtuous commencement, have swerved from the true faith ? But even in this dark hour of our politic- al adversity, in this tremendous conflict against profligacy, in this appalling and overwhelming national shame, it lights a glow of pride on every honest cheek to view the still unbroken phalanx of federal worthies, that have not bowed the knee, nor uneased their armour, but incessantly fought with might and valour against the sweep- ing march of democracy. It may be thought improper to single from this sacred band, any in- dividual v/orthy, but the truly great are not envi- ous, and we will indulge ourselves, a moment, in pourtraying a statesman of our own Common- wealth, Harrison Gray Ous. From his cradle as from Plato's, swarmed the Hyblean bees, and left the honies of eloquence on his tongue. Mi- nerva was his tutelar Gpddess, but the Graces had no small share in his education. His polit- B 10 ical course was early shaped, and from the dawn of manhood to this his meridian day, he has been a firm, undeviating disciple of Wash- ington. Long in public life, he has constantly been the champion of the cause he espoused. In every political contest he has carried terror, and dismay into the ranks of his opponents, searched the dark caverns of corruption and intrigue, and dragged, with Herculean strength, each Cacus to the light, and held him up for the contempt and derision of the world. ' Democracy knew his worth, and has used every endeavour to allure him to come over to her cause. Mighty meads of honor have been hinted as his rewards, but he did not yield. We love him, for he has frequent- ly turned aside from his labours, and with rever- ence, and homage, sacrificed at the tomb of the immortal Hamilton. No en^, which disturbs little minds, chafed his breast, but penetrated with grief he shed upon Hamilton's grave, such tears as genius weeps at the loss of kindre^ souls. The most deeply shaded picture, that imagina- tion can paint, of the situation of our coimtry, gives but an imperfect impression of the truth. Her commerce gone, her treasury exhausted, and the most inventive financiers incapable of forming any plan to replenish it, save the misera- ble expedients of loans or direct taxes : — Indi- 11 \Fidaals, who lately were opulent, and in exten- sive business, " whose words would pass for more than they were worth," straightened, embarrass- ed, making shifts, and use managements, that in better days they would have despised, and final- ly losing property, and reputation together, are but some of the faint outlines of the reality. This demoralizing effect of the present system is most of all to be deplored. It is painful to see ruined families, but it is more painful to see so many ruined characters. Loss of property, disappoint- ed hope, abortive exertions, united with evil bod- ings for the future are* sufficient to destroy that strict punctuality, that zealous regard to pledges of honor, without which the lofty character of a merchant would dwindle to a wretched sharper. The rage of politics has broken down the mounds of civil order, and trampled on domestic peace. The Judicary, that noblest bulwark a- gainst " the spasms of infuriated man," that last rampart which anarchy attacks, has been out- rageously assailed ; and indeed all its minor parts have been moulded to suit the demagogues of the day. This Temple of Justice, where I now stand, v/as lately honoured, probably for the last time, by the official presence of a man, whose character exhibits the '' hardihood of antiquity." Who in the business of his country was distin- 12 guishcd for independence, and intrepidity. He was distant, and severe to the disorderly, and in- triguing ; but bland, and conciliatory to the in- telligent, and worthy ; and now, deprived of all offices by an ungrateful people, lives a noble ex- ample of that loftiness, and irresistible energy im- parted by virtue. Essex was the birth place, and is the present residence of this patriot ; and her sons will mentionnhe name of Pickering, with pride, as long as they can appreciate greatness, or love independence. The Judges of the Supreme Court of our State stand like a group of mountain oaksj lofty and lonely ; the forest once around them having been rived, and schathed by the lio-htning, or consumed by the fiames ; but how long the wiurlwinds of faction may spare them ; God only knows. If this is our deplorable condition, in what con- sists our hopes ? In a large body of firm and steadfast federalists, who have undauntedly with- stood every shock ; the head of the heap, oi first weight and most excellent flour, from which the chaff has been separated. Rectitude of mind, a conscience approving their former inflexibility, and perseverance, and which still urges them to make resistance, is v/orth more to these men than the highest emokiments of office, or any measure of perishable praise. Making the worst 13 calculations for poor human nature you can, these men will not grow tame, nor their numbers be diminished ; for the loaves and fishes are all distributed, and our opponents have nothing left to gratify ambition, to tempt avarice, or cnsnave poverty. But however exalted the deeds, and pure the patriotism of the present actors on the busy scene of life, the perfect day of new things must be looked for from the rising race. With strength yet unseen, and unexercised, with knowledge drawn from pure fountains, with every motive to exertion, they will come forward to retrieve their country's name. They will not feel the . friendships, nor hatreds which v/ere produced by the revolution ; but will have a fair opportunity to judge nations by the scale of honor and pro- bity. Yes, my associated friends, there will spee- dily be a wide stage for you to act on. The names nov/ most bruited through the land will soon be lost, and forgotten. The most obstreper- ous notes of Fame have in them the least immor- tality ; the ear of Time will not catch them, nor will he write them in his eternal annals. It is time to pause, and turn from this general view, and develope the designs'^f our institution. A knowledge of the alarming crisis ii/the aiTairs of our country, a belief that something might be 14 done to rouse us from despondency, and a wish to assist those who are manfully stemming the current of oppression, and bearing the heat and burthen of the day, was the origin of this associa- tion. The means to produce these ends are a studious attention, a strict adherence, and a sa« cred regard to the principles of Washington ; with an unceasing assiduity in propagating these principles by every fair, honorable, and lawful method. Virtue is often slothful, and indifferent, while vice is active, insinuating, and seductive ; therefore, we must not grow disgusted with negli- gence, and v/ant of energy nor vexed with inti- mations of want of success. Every thing that is valuable is attained with great difficulty, and " nothing with more labour, and pains than the blessings of good gvernment. Faint hearts would not have poured out their blood at the su'aits of Therinopylce, nor feeble hands gained the battle of Marathon. The price of liberty is high, and the mean, cowardly, and slothful can never make the purchase. The most popular governments are more frequently in jeopardy than any others. It was a Roman maxim, and full of wisdora, never to despair of the Common- wealth ; and it should be our motto under op- pression and in the worst of times. In one word, our whole duty consists in acting with vigour 15 vmitedly, what in duty we were bound to perforin separaicly. If prudence, intelligence and zeal are found a- mong us, every friend of good government will be our friend, and this society embrace the aged and wise as well as the youthful and gay — I be- lieve in sr.ch a result, I will enjoy such anticipa- tions, and lift my voice to this assembly as mem- bers of this association. Although, we have all one common interest yet as there are some circumstances peculiar to us,at different ages, you will permit me to address you more particularly as if of different classes. You, my venerable political fathers, have seen much of national vicissitude, and of the instabili- ty of man. You have witnessed the creative power of patriotic union, and the desolating ef- fects of party discord. You have seen a nation born, watched its wonderful progress in size, beauty and strength, and alas ! you now witness its premature decripitude. You have seen this nation by mysterious artifices lulled to sleep, shorn of its locks, and deprived of its eyes, and near be- ing delivered up to the Philiistines, alternately to grind in their prison, or to make them sport for their Dago?i. If this country utterly fall, you and your compatriots mu.st stand acquitted ; all that men could do you have done. Still aged as you are you must not ungird your armour, nor 16 quit the field, your counsels must direct our movements, and j^-our presence animate us. If withdrawn from the conflict, thousands despair- ing of the cause will desert our standard. Your wisdom, experience, and long tried love of your country, give us confidence in you as our lead- ers, and cheer us with the hope of success. The cause of freedom is not desperate. Maimed, blinded and misled as this nation is, it may still be renovated. The spirit of independence slum- bers but is not dead. Suporiiics have been per- fidiously administered to the people to produce this lethargy ; an antidote must be found, that this sleep be not unto death. The present time promises some success in applications. Symptoms begin to appear, which indicate that this lethargy may soon be terminated. Strong palpitations and spasms are seen. The senses are occasionally unlocked,* and there appears a restlessness and writhing of the whole system. These may be indications of approaching dissolution, but I trust they are those of recovery. I cannot but hope, that, before you are called to that rest, which re- maineth for those worn out in the labours of vir- tue, you will see our country unhed, and pros- perous. If this should not be the case, do not think that your toils, and anxieties are useless. Your memories, and characters will lead your de- scendants into political rectitude. Although your 17 your motives and actions may have been mis- represented, your plans thv/artej, your charac- ters defamed, and your hopes disappointed by faction, your labours for your country's Welfare will not be lost. " God rewardeth the patriot.'' Upon you, my friends, who are of* that age which is free from the precipitancy of youth, and which promises strength, and justness of conception, and promptitude of action, your country has great claims. As in religion we cannot expect salvation by crying. Lord ! Lord ! while we do not the things he says, so in our na- tional politics it will profit us nothing to cry, pat- riotism ! patriotism ! if we neglect the duties it enjoins. Knowledge and religion are the pillars by which liberty is supported. If these are weakened the edifice totters ; if they are destroy- ed, it falls. You must therefore readily and con- stantly give your voice, your exertions, your ex- amples and a portion of your property, for the support of those institutions whose object is to promote virtue, knowledge, and religion, even if they are not modelled, and regulated precisely according to your wishes. These institutions are anchors which may enable us to ride out many a storm, but if tliese are lost nothing can save us from being wrecked upon rocks and quicksands. You must be constantly upon the watch against intrigue and artifice, for democra- C »8 cy is perpetually in ambush and springs upon its prey in the dark. You must act in harmony. One common interest, the indepedence and hap- ness of your country, must bind you to each other. Occasional difTerences of opinion and clashings of private interest must be sacrificed. Those who rather than make this sacrifice should embrace democracy, would be but little better than he, ^ho, to revenge a trifling injury received from one of his brethren should thrust a poinard into the heart of their common mother. Free- dom was your inheritance, and you must transmit it to yovu' children, lest they should hereafter have cause to exclaim, — behold ! the ruins of the goodly fabric of liberty, founded by the valour, raised by the toil, and cemented with the blood of our ancestors, but wrested from our fathers, and demolished before their eyes. Our fathers have indeed given us the blood of freemen, but left us - slavery for our patrimony. At the view of this picture I see the breast of the parent, and the pa- triot swell with indignation. Indulge these emo- tions; they are a security against degradation and a pledge to your children and your country. Many of you my younger friends, are in a situa- tion somewhat "like that in which Hercules is re- represented to have been, when solicited by his ^ celestial visitants to decide on a course of life. Each proposed her own system, and used her own 1^ means and arguments to persuade the youth — Federalism and Democracy, like Minerva and Ve- nus, soFicit you to decide on a future political course of life. In some respects,- however, your situation differs from that of Hercules. Those who solicit you are not both of celestial origin, nei- therdoes democracy exactly represent the lovely and fascinating appearance of the soft Goddess of pleasure. — Hearken to Democracy. " Sweet sons of liberty, it is time for you to employ your thoughts upon that way of life you ought to choose ; be my friends and follow me : I will lead you into the possession of power, offices, and honours. You need not be at the trouble of acquiring what is absolutely called merit. It will be no recommendation to you in obtaining my dis- tinctions ; the less you have of it, the greater will be your claims. Some sacrifices are to be made, and some qualifications to be possessed, before you can enjoy the full fruition of my fa- vours. Have you written upon your heart or bound about your neck the instructions of abig- otted father, they must be erased from your heart, and torn fi'om your neck, or they will frequently incommode and obstruct you, in your career o^ glory. Do you cherish vvrhat is denominated a sense of honour, you must crush the viper, or it will frequently sting you. Do you blush at the mention of a fault, you must rid yourself of that 20 weakness, or it will frequently expose you ; but ^f you blush only at the mention of your, virtvies, you need not, after a few months, be under any appreliensions. You must begin by denouncing the Federalists as tyrants, although you may be fully convinced, that they are the only true friends to liberty. You must curse Great-Britain, yea, curse bitterly; spurn regular occupation, and harangue at the corners, in tippling shops and taverns, where you will; aiy/ays find a full audi- ence of the sons of freedom. As all offices in a republican government \i^ open to eloquence, if you have a weak voice., spend some. time. upon the sea beach, and exercise your lungs till you can outroar the roaring, of the billows, that dash against the shore ; for strength of voice is the first, second, and third rpquishe for an orator. When you have attained to this, command what honour, or of&ce, you will ; it is yours. If you wish for riches get appointed Treasurer of State, or Collector of the revenue. If conscience, that bugbear of federalists, approach you, and tell you that you must, be accountable hereafter, disregard it, for if you should hereafter" be called to ac- count, there will be so many of you that you may easily excite an insurrection, like your great pre- decessors. Will you hearken for a few mom.ents to the voice of Federalism. " Young men, I offer my- 21 self to you, because, I know you descended from patriotic parents, and 'giye proofs of the descen^ by your love to virtue ; this makes me hope, that you v/ill gain both for yovirself and me an im- mortal reputation. But before I invite you into my society, and friendship, I will be. open and sincere with you, and must lay down this, as an established truth, that there is nothing truly valua- ble, which can be purchased without pains, and labour. Heaven hath set a price upon every thing great and noble. Before you become my frieuds you must be the true friends of your country. Her safety must be your care, her prospe- rity the object of your exertions, and her honour, your pride. You must be supporters of order guardians of religion, and promoters of useful knowledge. You must carefully watch the re- moving of ancient political land-marks, remem. bering that innovation is not reform. Be not so- licitous for public honors and distinctions. Be anxious to deserve, but not to obtain them. If, indeed you embark in my cause you must be prepared for your duty in any station, not only when the winds of Heaven gently waft you, but when the waves toss, the tempest roars, and death threatens. Your reward shall be that of a patriot, conscious worth, and approving Heaven. Trust not the voice of democracy. She pretends 22 to be the friend of republican government, but her government is anarchy, " uproar and wild misrule." She bpasts much of liberty, but her liberty is licentiousness ; and her freedom is sla- very. She offers you honours, but her honours are infamy. She engages to exalt you to office, but her promotion would degrade you. She promises you po\ver, but her power must be used only in destroying what is fair, and good. She may oiler you riches, but her gifts must be the price of your integrity and the fruit of peculation. Embrace her not, WcJk not after her, her st^4 •^4- .ov OF CONGRESS