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) AN 
 
 V ORATION, 
 
 DELIVERED AT 
 
 GRANVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, 
 JULY 5th, 1813, 
 
 IN COMMEMORATION 0? 
 
 American Sn&epmticnce : 
 
 AX THE REQUEST OF THE 
 
 YOUNG GENTLEMEN OF THAT TOWN. 
 
 BY JAMES COOLEY. 
 
 HARTFORD •• 
 
 Printed by Hale & Homer. 
 
 1813. 
 

 Hfbehalfoftiic Young Gentlemen in Granville, assembled for the Celebrdr 
 tion of American Independence, -we return thanks to »V/r. JAMES 
 COOL.EY, for his elegant and patriotic Oration pronounced on the occasicr., 
 ind request a copy that it may be printed. 
 
 ALPHEUS GIBBONS,} 
 
 OHEL SPELMAN, > f ommitiee °f 
 
 I Arrangement? 
 
 LYMAN ROOT, J 
 
 Gra kville, Ms. July 5th, 1813. 
 
 / 
 
ORATION 
 
 To 
 
 the human mind, nothing is more instructive 
 than the vicissitudes of time. 
 
 Weeks, months, and years, roll on, unfolding to our view 
 the revolutions of empires; the wreck of Republics and the 
 annihilation of States. 
 
 Every day is big with important events. — To-day, a nation 
 exists ; the rulers wise and the people happy.— To-morron\ 
 their liberties are cloven down by the demon of faction; an 
 usurper arises, and the traces of their happiness are no 
 where to be found. 
 
 If we turn over the page of history and examine the re- 
 cords of centuries, we shall there find the solemn memento of 
 human instability.. — The ancient cities of Assyria and Egypt ; 
 those vast monuments of human grandeur, are mouldered to 
 dust. — Jerusalem and Babylon, Balbec and Palmyra, are 
 scarcely known but in the delineations of the historian. 
 
 Those places which were once animated by living multi- 
 tudes, are now a picture of solitude and desertion. The so- 
 lemn silence of death, now reigns where tumultuous throngs 
 once crowded the streets ; and the knell of their departed 
 glory has long since ceased to vibrate. 
 
4 
 
 The scenes have changed— where power and opulence once 
 waved their banners ; poverty and wretchedness hold their 
 residence. Vast cities have given place to despicable ruins • 
 and the revolutions of time have transmitted their grandeur 
 to other climates. 
 
 Three hundred years ago, this fair country which we in- 
 habit, was unfrequented by civilized man.— Where the sav- 
 age cannibal skulked among the trees of the wilderness, chant 
 ing the frightful war-whoop to the echo of the woods ; we see 
 cultivated fields, and fragrant gardens, smiling with all the 
 beauties of nature, and glowing with the most luxuriant ve. 
 getation. Where the rude natives groped in ignorance, and 
 bowed the knee to imaginary deities ; our eyes are now daz- 
 zled with the splendour of churches, where the God of nature 
 is recognized, and every social virtue inculcated. The 
 paths of science which were then shrouded with a spontaneous 
 gloom, are now disenrobed of their dusk, and their portals 
 are expanded for the universal reception of its votaries. 
 Then, the American youth were taught the adroitness of the 
 scalping knife, and all the fell arts of cruelty and revenge ; 
 now, they are early initiated into the Arcana of science, are 
 taught the page of history, and can touch the lyre of Orphe- 
 us, or speak with the tongue of Apollo. 
 
 Our worthy ancestors, a small and feeble band, harassed 
 by the oppressive acts of the mother country, fled to these in- 
 hospitable wilds, to enjoy uninterrupted the charms of liberty 
 and religion— They preferred civil liberty, freedom of con- 
 science, and a cave in a gloomy desert, to the horrors of des- 
 potism, though fed with luxuries, and clothed with all the 
 brilliancy of the east— They chose to commit themselves to 
 the ocean, and wander at large amidst storms and tempest ; 
 rather than sacrifice their religion and liberties to the unjust 
 usurpations of royal authority. 
 
Guided by that " cloud and pillar," which ed the He. 
 brews from the fetters of Pharaoh, they arrived in safety 
 to these solitary shores. Nature received them with open 
 arms and joyfully pressed them to her rugged bosom. 
 
 Their primitive privileges were few. No cabin to shelter, 
 no friend to receive and welcome them ; — surrounded by dan- 
 gers, formidable, and extreme, and exposed to ail the insults 
 of savage barbarity ! 
 
 Through the trying scenes of famine and pestilence, and 
 while experiencing the cruelties of their infuriated neigh- 
 bours, they discovered that inflexible fortitude which feared 
 no perils, which regarded no danger. 
 
 By their toils and perseverance ; by that industry which 
 liberty inspires, they rapidly increased to a degree of popula- 
 tion and opulence which commanded national respectability. 
 
 The King of Great-Britain viewed the rising power of his 
 colonies with a jealous eye. — Fearful that they might at some 
 future period bid defiance to his laws, he commenced a system 
 of measures the most oppressive and unjust. They reasoned, 
 petitioned and remonstrated, but without effect. The com- 
 mands of the British Cabinet at length became open and pe- 
 remptory. Unconditional submission, or chastisement, was 
 their mod and unfeeling language. But America awoke to 
 the recognition of her rights ; — her flinty brow sparkled at 
 the strokes of oppression, and kindled a flame of patriotism 
 which the minions of unauthorised power could not extinguish. 
 
 Europe beheld with astonishment, an infant nation ; unskil- 
 led in military tactics, unacquainted with the detestable arts of 
 human slaughter ; and destitute of pecuniary resources or 
 the means of war ; rise in opposition to the well appointed for- 
 ces of a powerful empire. The mighty armies of Great- 
 Britain were called forth to crush and chain us. — The " fieiy 
 meteors 1 ' of royal vengeance streamed through our atmos- 
 
phere. — The clouds of war gathered blackness. — The tempest 
 of battle burst over our heads ! 
 
 Here let us call to our imaginations the capital of our State 
 crowded with hostile foes — her temples plundered by an un- 
 restrained banditti — her altars polluted, and the peaceful ce- 
 remonies of religion driven from the sanctuary ! 
 
 On the heights of Bunker-hill the bloody tragedy was 
 commenced. This is the preface to the melancholy tale. 
 A volume of awful incidents was here disclosed. There, fell 
 WARREN, the pride and boast of America — His youthful 
 heart, animated with holy ardour, led him to the field of 
 battle. — The shafts of death selected him for their victim. — 
 The ground on which he fell became consecrated by his 
 blood, and the mourning genius of his country robed in 
 " sackcloth and ashes" wept at his tomb. 
 
 At Long-Island, York-Island and New-Jersey, our little 
 band of heroes braved every danger with a stern and stub- 
 born fortitude. On the fields of Trenton, the precarious 
 clouds of despondency hung over them in dread suspence. 
 Chilled by the cold blasts of winter — dismayed by disaster — 
 their ranks thinned by desertion — their spirits paralized by 
 scenes of calamity and distress. — A dubious and critical mo- 
 ment. — The elements seemed embattled against them — the 
 winds blew and the storms raged — the Delaware rolled furi- 
 ously with floating ice and forbid the approach of man — 
 phantoms, ghastly and fell, flitted around their camp — all 
 was horror, consternation, gloom, and despair. 
 
 WASHINGTON, self collected, viewed the surrounding 
 scene. He saw in imagination, his bleeding country on the 
 brink of annihilation. A flame, like the electric spark, from 
 the altar of Patriotism, ran through his soul. His lips, re in- 
 spired by the " God of Sabaoth," awakened at once the ar- 
 dour of his troops. Re-animated by the voice of their beta- 
 
tfed leader, they rushed to the hostile shore. — They fought— 
 they conquered. 
 
 The morning sun rose cheerfully on the American camp 
 —the clouds of darkness were dispelled — shouts of joy and 
 exultation sounded along the ranks, and the glorious enthusi- 
 asm of victory pervaded every breast. 
 
 On this event, the destinies of our country wore a favoura- 
 ble aspect. The brightest gem in the British diadem was 
 started from its socket. America had determined to be free — ■ 
 the fire of Patriotism became unquenchable, and the spirit of 
 liberty, powerful and universal. 
 
 The armies of Great- Britain had discovered in the Ameri- 
 can soldiery, that adroitness in arms ; that military skill and 
 enthusiasm, which they little expected to find in their in- 
 fant colonies. 
 
 In the " lawns of Princeton," and on the " strong grounds 
 of Morristown" our troops taught them a lesson which time 
 never will eradicate. The " vales of Brandywine" and the 
 "fields of Germantown," were witnesses of our superior 
 prowess ; and on " the heights of Saratoga" were performed 
 those deeds of valour and heroism which an admiring world 
 beheld with wonder and astonishment. 
 
 There the heroes of "the new world" plucked unfading 
 laurels, and immortalized their names. There they shed 
 their blood to achieve our freedom, and establish that liber- 
 ty and Independence which we this day celebrate. 
 
 To commemorate this epoch in the annals of our nation, 
 we are now assembled. On this fair jubilee the " sainted 
 shades" of those heroes who bled in the conflict, will re-visit 
 the scenes of their gallantry to participate in the festivities of 
 the day. 
 
 We are not convened, like the vassals of imperial despo- 
 tism to celebrate the birthday of a King; or to pour forth 
 shouts of fanaticism at the triumphs of anarchy. A more 
 waited theme inspires our mind? . 
 
8 
 
 We hold in sacred remembrance that day which unniana- 
 cled a virtuous people from the block of despotism, and es- 
 tablished a new empire in the world, founded on the broad 
 and substantial basis of justice and equal rights. 
 
 In bursting from the grasp of our oppressors, in rending as- 
 sunder "that bond which kept us pale," justice was our 
 guide, reason our pole-star. 
 
 Here was no demon of anarchy to spread the pestilence of 
 civil war ; — no frantic parricide to bear in triumph the head 
 of his father, streaming with blood from the guillotine, to tes- 
 tify his patriotism ; — no usurper to leap into the whirlwind, 
 and rise to power on the ruins of his countrymen. 
 
 We boast no cities laid in ashes to commemorate the down- 
 fal of government, no provinces desolated to mark the 
 flaming path of " equality ,-" — no blood of butchered clergy- 
 men crying from the ground for vengeance — no " republican 
 baptisms'*'' — no change of the sabbath for a "Decade" — no 
 blasphemous devoirs to the " Goddess of Reason." 
 
 Far nobler triumphs are ours. True wisdom ; affection 
 for the soil, habits, and moral ordinances of our ancestors, 
 presided in our Councils. Native valor, firm and deliberate, 
 commanded in the field, and led us to that Independence 
 which we so justly commemorate. 
 
 Thirty years have now elapsed since the struggle in which 
 our Lidependence was gained, was happily and honourably 
 terminated. During the first and greatest portion of that 
 time, we enjoyed a season of the most unexampled prosperity. 
 " The Sun of Liberty" rose upon our nation in all its majesty, 
 and its enlivening beams gladdened and fertilized the remotest 
 corner of our country. The aspect of despair had given 
 place to the sunshine of joy. 
 
 From humble Colonies, unknown in the annals of history ; 
 icarce bearing the name of a civilized people ; we became " a 
 free, powerful, and independent nation." 
 
The industry of the people had converted a wilderness in- 
 to a garden. The savage wilds and uncultivated deserts, 
 were made to " blossom as the rose." The barren heath 
 was clothed in all the charms of primeval Eden ; those arts 
 and refinements, which civilize and soften our natures, every 
 where prevailed. Commerce flourished. Our flag, honoured 
 and respected, played in every breeze and waved in every 
 sea. No country so distant, but reciprocated our friendly 
 intercourse. No billow so remote, but bore upon its bosom 
 the testimony of American enterprize. Wealth flowed in 
 from a thousand redundant springs. The rich harvest of 
 commercial assiduity had swelled our national coffers with 
 abundance, and the honourable acquisitions of our citizens 
 diffused plenty and happiness into every portion of our coun- 
 try. 
 
 " Liberty abroad" 
 " Walk'd unconfin'd ev'n to our farth'rest cots, 
 " And scatter'd plenty with unsparing hand."—— 
 
 The Nymph of Peace, with sweetest minstrelsey, sung 
 around our dwellings ; and soothed and charmed and tran* 
 quilized our firesides. — " Every one sat under his own vine 
 and figtree without ought to make him afraid." 
 
 But, alas, my countrymen ; how changed is the scene ! 
 <{ How doth the city sit solitary that was full of people. How 
 is she become as a widow. She that was great among the na- 
 tions, how is she become tributary. Her friends have dealt 
 treacherously with her ; they are become her enemies. All 
 her gates are desolate. Her children have gone into captivity. 
 The adversary hath spread his hand upon all her precious 
 things"— -The deep and ancient root of our prosperity is 
 withering. The hand of ruin is upon us. The Sirocc has 
 overtaken us ! 
 
 Cast your eyes over the whole extent of our union, and 
 you behold a scene of discontent and animosity. A spirit ©f 
 
 s 
 
10 
 
 disaffection and uneasiness prevails throughout our wide 
 spread community. The harp of the Poet that chanted so 
 sweetly the charms of Liberty and Independence, is " Hung 
 tuneless on the willow," or strung to the melancholy mur- 
 murs of grief and despondency. The busy hum of industry 
 Svhich sounded along our shores, is stifled into a dreary si- 
 lence. Our harbours and store-houses which were croud cd 
 with the avails of American enterprize ; present to the eye, 
 the disgraceful imagery of poverty and ruin. 
 
 The waters that were whitened with our canvass ; the 
 seas which were covered with our ships, bearing from every 
 climate its richest products, bear scarce a trace of the Ameri- 
 can name. To complete our wretchedness, a war has been 
 declared, and we have unfurled the bloody banner, against a 
 peaceful and unoffending neighbour. " The broad Phalanx 
 of death" is marching through our land. The innocent and 
 necessary employments of agriculture, are to give place to 
 arts of rapine and deeds of blood. Our citizens are dragged 
 from the peaceful pursuits of domestic life, to perish without 
 remembrance in unwholesome camps ; or die ingloriously in 
 the wilds of Canada. 
 
 Why, my fellow-citizens, are we brought to this abject 
 state of things ? Why are the wings of the American Eagle 
 clipped in its soarings ? Why is this great commercial nation 
 reduced from that high pitch of wealth and glory to which 
 it was so rapidly advancing, to this abyss of poverty and 
 wretchedness ? 
 
 In the year 1801, the government of the United States 
 passed into the hands of a new Administration. Thomas 
 Jefferson being elected to the presidency, that course which 
 our venerable sages had pursued with so much success was 
 changed. The plain and beaten path to national glory, was 
 forsaken for the devious wanderings of modern philosophy, 
 
u 
 
 A new course was taken ; a new system of things 
 adopted ; and all those distinguishing traits of national 
 greatness which characterized the administration of Wash- 
 ington were swept away. 
 
 The consequence of promoting sycophants to office, and the 
 probable result of their measures, had been frequently and 
 impressively pointed out to us. 
 
 From the desk and from the forum ; from the oracles of 
 wisdom in every part of the country, we had been exhorted 
 to beware of those men. We were told that if such charac- 
 ters presided in our Councils, our happiness and liberty 
 would fall a prey to their evil machinations. We were most 
 solemnly enjoined to put no confidence in such men. We 
 were conjured as we valued our happy privileges, to ad- 
 here to our former rulers. But the Syrens of democracy ho- 
 vered over and bewildered our senses. Fatal visions floated 
 in our imaginations. Public virtue fell into a sad relapse.— 
 Credulous and languid ; we passed on, unheeding our foot- 
 steps, till we plunged into the abyss that lay yawning before 
 us. 
 
 But, my countrymen, there is a redeeming spirit yet re- 
 maining in our Constitution, which may " drag up our 
 drowning honour by the locks," and restore us to our former 
 happy attitude. 
 
 The right of electing our rulers, is yet left to us. Let us 
 exercise that right cautiously and independently. Let no 
 soi did or partial considerations ever influence our suffrages.. 
 To our God and to our country we are solemnly accountable 
 for the prudent and conscientious improvement of this inesti- 
 mable privilege, Let us place no confidence in men of pol- 
 luted characters.-^-" Can men gather grapes of thorns ? or 
 figs of thistles?" 
 
 In selecting candidates for places of trust and responsibili-. 
 ty, we ought to have our eyes upon the faithful of the land ; 
 
V4 
 
 men of integrity and moderation, who will aliay the" spirit of 
 discontent, and soften and calm the resentments of conflicting 
 parties ; those who seek the interest of their country rather 
 than the interest of a party. 
 
 The finger of reproof points us to the fallen Republics of 
 the East. 
 
 History tells us how they rose, how they flourished, and 
 how they fell. A voice from the tomb of Washington 
 " loud and deep," admonishes us to shun the fatal catastro-' 
 phe of our sister republics. 
 
 " Bankruptcies incurred, have often been retrieved ; — ships 
 lost can be replaced ; Moscow burnt to ashes, may be re-built ; 
 but Liberty once lost is gone forever.'* 
 
 The changing seasons of the earth produce a succession of 
 life and death in the vegetable kingdom ; the failing leave?; 
 of autumn are seen to be renewed in the ensuing spring ; the 
 bars of the grave will be broken, and the dead will arise 
 again; but, alas! there is no resurrection from National 
 death. 
 
 Let us hastily tread back the unpropitious steps which 
 have hurried us to the brink of ruin. — Let us return to the 
 principles and manners of real republicanism.— Let us know 
 our own dignity ; practice industry, frugality, moderation 
 and the whole train of real republican virtues, and we 
 may yet restore to our citizens the felicity of former times. 
 
 But if we continue listless in the fatal charm that hangs up 
 on our senses, Ave may brood over our miseries in silent ago- 
 ny ; our destinies are sealed ; our republic is at end, and we 
 may bid "farewell, a long farewell to all our greatness '" 
 
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