‘O
.fi

AN

ORATION

DELIVERED AT

N@"’\‘%°f@@’@Y@@B“E"a
ON THE FORTY--SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF

.fl.MERIC.r1.7V° INDEPENDENCE,

JULY 4, 13%?»

 

u-»--v-----«--~—- an-um-umuuc-——.n-»————~..——«uu

BY ROBERT CROSS.

nun...-.........m...

 

mzwnunvreonw,
M W'URLISHED BY W. AND Jo G*IL1V[AN._,

9 E:
6|

At a meeting-‘of the LVEWBURYPORT Dnzmrrxeme CLUB, held at their roerm.
on Friday evening, J uly 5, 1829. :

Voted, That the thanks of the Club be presented» to Mr..Romm1* Cnoss,
for his able and patriotic Oration, delivered yesterday at their request ;.
and that the Hon. Ebenezer Moseley, Mr. John’R. Hudson, and Col.

Abraham Williams, be a. committee toecommunicate the same, and re-»

quest 2:. copy for the pressa.
5.. KETTELL, Sccrretowy,

<eLee's*s;est’t

 "‘ew 

"t§‘l3l'LLOW CITIZEN S,

IF We carry back our minds to the memorable
period of Amerimn Independence, and survey the inter-
val that has since elapsed, it is with feelings ofjoy, arid

sorrow, and astonishment. In this space, so inconsi(ler-- \

‘able in point of time, What a multitude of stupendous
events hz.we happened 1! What mighty revolutions have
been neoomplislied in theW~conclitio.n of mankind! In
sprendilng them out before us, and looking at them at
one view, we feel 8.l.l‘flOSt dizzy at the prospect; we
«can hardly believe, that such momentous events have
all happened within the memory of living men. Oc-
ettrrenoes, which in other days were heard with fear
and woncler, sound, in comparison with these, as tame
and as familiar as t“ a. tale thrice told.”

How much ‘ there is within this brief period, which
humanity will never cease to mourn! How much there

i is of oppression, and cruelty Wnntonly inflicted; of hee1l't~
less ambition, reckless of the means employed to ellect i

ittslencls; of crime perpetrated in the name of justice s;

4

and of selfishnesss and malevolence, masking themselves
‘under the air and bearing of Virtue and patriotism. We
have seen blood poured forth like water; War, and dis»-
cord, and rapine, let loose to prey uncontrolled on soci-
ety; and those Whom the Worldhad never before ap-
proached, but with humiliation and reverence, the ami-
able, and the accomplished, the high in ranl:,, and the
venerable. in years, We have witnessed expiring by an
ignominious death, on the scaffold. A

These things are deplorable. But in the worst of
them there is something consolatory; something, which
makes us recall with satisfaction, what we might other-
wise turn from with horror. Amidst those scenes, which
violate common decency and humanity, we discern oth-
ers, which give us nobler conceptions of the dignity of
human nature, and brighter and more exalted hopes of
the destiny of man. The tempestuous character of the
times, has called the energies of the human mind most
powerfully into operation. A spirit of enquiry has been

abroad, which has no parallel in the history of past gen»-

erations. The slavish political dogmas, which had com-
manded the superstitious Veneration of ages, have given
place to the grand and inestimable principles of liberty;
and under the salutary influence of these principles, we
behold every where springing up a spirit of improve-
ment, vvhioh is destined to widen, and to purify, and to

T perpetuate the sources of national happiness and pros- a

parity. , p p
These remarks will not be thought improper on a day

set apart to commemorate the American independence.

Without adverting to the direct influence it the Revolu-

tion had in accelerating ‘a general change of political
principles, and the consequent convulsions in Europe,

a}

both events may be traced to the operation of the same
general causes. l ‘
The progress of the human mind towards improve-

tmentiis irresistable, but slow. Here and there arises a

man, or a class of men, superior to the opinions of their
age. But much time must elapse, before truths, clear
and familiar to them, become undoubted and notorious
principles. Hence the causes, vvhich produced the

wonderful cl1a1't1ges for which our times are remarkable,

hadibeen accuiriulatitig in number, and force, for ages,
before they were stlliicieritly ripe, to leave a general
and permanent effect on the structure of society.
Before the acquisition of the magnetic needle, and
the brilliant discoveries to which thatevent led, the
nobleman and the slave,iwere the only distinct ranks
known in society. Even the privileges of the fzuinous
Magna Charta, so justly the beast of an Englislnnan,
were granted only to the nobles,  if the 1‘igl‘1ts of any
other order, were not worth consideration. At this pe-

triod, commerce was confined to brief and timid. excur-

sions along the adjacent coasts; trade was merely an
occasional trafiick for a few necessary articles; and
both, from the sordid character of those who practised
them, were held dishonorable. Men had therefore no
alternative, but to range themselves among the depend-
ents of the nobles, or to submit to the austerities and
deprivations of a monastick life. But the discovery of
the compass, imparted an adventurous character to com-
merce, which took oh" its reproacl . l Kiiigs, and nobles,
and prelates, were eager to extend to it their patronage,

l andto reap the promised harvest of wealth and honor.

The-1’1_C(3f0I'l'l1 it was possible, honorably toengalge in some

occupation other than that of arms and religiozi; and

C3
thencefo1'th the lower orders began to throw off their
original servitude, and to rise to surpass their masters
in actual power and influence.

As yet liowever, this cause had but a partial effect.
It improved the condition of society, without materially

altering its constituent elements. The modes of think-~ ‘

ing and feeling were the same, though directed to dif-
ferent objects. Men, the most distinguished of the age
for their attainments, were willing to admit the edict
of a Pope conveyed a sacred and indefeasible title to
the possession of the Indies.

But at length the influence of this cause, and its
grand auxiliary of the reformation, penetrated the Whole
mass of society, and operated a thorough alteration in
its character. At length the spell, which had bound
up the faculties of the human mind was dissolved.
Through the thousand channels of commerce, wealth
and abundance poured into the remotest quarters of so-»
ciety. "With wealth came intelligence, and enterprize,
and independence, with which it is ever accompanied.
The control of public opinion, succeeded to the influ--
ence of kindred and clanship. From out of that per»-
tion of society, which before seemed a mass of uniform
ignorance, superstition, and brutality, other and numerw
ous classes sprang up, withlnew and peculiar feelings
and interests. The nobles ceased to retain the com—-
manding position, they had once occupied in the social
body, and gradually sunk into the insignificant character
of useless, but indispensable appendages, to the idle pa»
geantry of a court. 4

Thus was the constitution of society completely al-
tered. , And such. an alteration requires a correspondent
reformation in goverlnment, It will of itself effect it,

"?
Wherever opinion is not overawed by military power.
Happily the natural enemies of liberal principles did
not resort to this expedient. They wandered on se-
curely, to the very brink of the precipice, before they
were informed of their danger.

The numerous, and wealthy, and intelligent classes,
Which recent circumstances had called into being, soon
discerned how utterly disproportioned, was their actual
position in the political scheme, to that, in which as im»
portant, and influential members of the social body, they
ought to have been placed. It was impossible, they
should not perceive, it was inconsistent with the express
design of society, to debar them forever from all par-
ticipation in the direction of those concerns, that were
common to the whole people. We, said they, consti-
tute the great body of the population, an object at all
times of fear and suspicion to the few; and is it not un-
safe to be dependent for our liberty and lives on the
caprice of a power beyond our control? We ele-~
vated the nation from a torpid state of ignorance and
apathy, into the condition of an active and intelligent
community. .We reared up those individuals, who have
imparted the lustre of literary f_ame, and martial re-
nown, to the national name. We supplied the vital
principle which maintains the functions of government
in operation. And is it just to debar us from all influ-
ence in itsadministration? VQuestions like these, nat-
urally suggested themselves to the members of the re-
cently created classes, as they gradually rose in conse-
quence. The answer carried home to every bosom the
necessity of adopting a systemh of government, more
conformable to the existing state of society; a system

in which the several classes should possess the inllum A

8

 

—......—_...n--o

ence due to their importance in the conlmunity, and.

which should secure their rights and interests, from be-
ing trifled with or trampled upon by others.

It was this grand result, to which the causes which
had been accumulating for ages, had been slowly but
inevitably leading. It wasimpossible, that men should
become more intelligent, and not perceive the enor-
mous defects of existing political systems. They had
become inetficient, even for the ordinary purposes of
of government, much less were they adapted to the cir-
cumstances of a wealthy and refined nation. Nothing but
that feeling, which prompts us indiscriminately to ven-
erate, whatever our fathers have loved or honored,
could have preserved them so long. In their outlines,
as they were sketched by the warlike and independent
tribes of ancient Scandinavia, the feudal institutions
were eminently favorable to freedom. To these wild
hordes belongs the honor of having originated the idea of
a practicable system of freegovernment, which had 
ployed the imaginations of ancient sages in vain to invent.

i But their illiterate Chieftains wereinot able to discern

the remoter tendencies of the customs they introduced.
Nor if they had discerned them, would they, with their
swords in their hands and a numerous retinue of gallant
Warriours and kinsmenaround them, have been likely

tohave regarded them. Hencethe subtilty of politi-
c ticians at a laterand less martial period, had ingrafted
on theparent stock, doctrines the most repugnant to its A

originalprinciples. is 4 y    , A y ‘ y _
Theimprovement of society, and the defects of ex»

isting systems concurred then, in advancing the period A A, A
of political regeneration.   Toacceleratethis event, its 

 friends had put in requisitionthe most A powerful means ‘I t 

9 6

of awakening, and directing the public mind. The
press, Where its efforts were not cramped by legislative
restrictions, was teeming with their publications. The
theatre, the forum, the saloon, and the acadernicle; hall
were converted into schools of reform; and poets and

philosophers, who have sometimes been justly charged r

with servility to existing powers, but, oftener honorably
distinguislied for a firm attachment to the cause of free-
dom, endeavored to inspire their countrymen, with such
tastes, and sentiments, as would lead to their emanci-
pation.

VVith so many causes cooperating; to excite them, is
there anything to surprize us in the revolutions, We
have lately witnessed in Europe? Do We not rather
Wonder they were delayed so long, and have not as yet
terminated? The inevitable hour, which for centuries
had been in anticipation, was rapidly ap13roacl'1i1ig, and
by what expedient could it be averted? Did princes
put their trust in that blind feeling of loyalty, Which.
had so long bound the people to their hereditary mas-
ters? That period of infatuation, when the people

. looked u to their rulers with reverential awe, as to a
P

divinity, had passed away. The veil, which had shroud»
ed them from the scrutiny of the vulgar eye, had been
torn off, as that from the famous impostor of eastern
story; which disclosed, not as he had led his deluded.
followers to expect, a countenance, in which the radi-
ance of a celestial light, beamed too bright for mortal

eye to look upon; not that mysterious inark, vvhieh the A

hand of heaven had engraven on his l'oreheads, as the

t seal of his divine mission; butfeatures, in xvliieli the

lines of natural deformity, were contrasted with the
bloatedtraces of debauchery andtdisease. Thus abank-
2

' It)

Uflflilflflli

tloned by their people, deprived of the sole props
of their authority, whitltter could these unfortunate‘

t inen flee for refttge? l T he hour of retribution, when

in danger, in deprivation,» or in death, they were destin-'
to feel? the full, and blitter effects, of the past misrulet
of their ancestors, was c’on1,ring on, and notltitig could

avert it; They had only the hard alternative,-of stoop-~

ing from‘ their‘ eztalited station, to accede to the united
wishes of their people, or of collecting all the remain-'
ing strength, that the exhausted sources of venality could

A supply, and silently to await the shock of popular Vio-=~‘

l7ence.-

VVe‘ have‘ witnessed What they dficlig we have also-
witnessed its tremendous consequences. s Soothed for
3. timein vain, the revolution burst with ag_g*rat*atccl fu-

ry, uipon France, dra<ro'o:11g into its impetuous vorttezt,

3535
the best, in contmon with the most obnoxious instituw
tions. Thence sweeping, lilitél’ the blast of the desert,
which bears death, indieecl‘, to the ttnwary traveller, but
carries ittingled with its nortiouss particles, the seeds
whiclt are destined to spriiig up, into beautiful and lux--t
nrpiant‘ plants, it spread into dil"i'erent countries; every

where effectinrr the restoration of ori inal rinci les-
, :3 i P P 9

rand pliantitig the banners of reform, on the ruins of des-

potisn1.- ,
ip Germany, it and Sipain,..p and Portugal, have succes-t

isively felt its renovating influence ;, and even the for-
igotten spirits of Greece, and Rome, where they had?

been for ag,e,s,l1ingering with fruitless recollection over i

the fields of Marathon, and Pharsa:lia,, rousedtatt the
generalcry for freedom, and awakened in the sons, the

 A feeliflgssthatsdistinguishecl their illustrious ancestors. [L

‘ I

11

%|%HvDlIX

.. ..n..-—..........»..

 have thus €:I‘1Ll0fl.VOI“@£l togive :1 rapid slzetch 
tlle course of events, that led to tlm retl:>1‘2.11atio11 of pea
litical principle, and the commotions that followed it, in
‘Europe. t It may seem it more presulmptuous ir1quiry,,
wl1etl1e1* these are (lcsstined to continue, or sulasidve, at

length, in universal tmnquillity. But the causes that l

produced them, are still in full opm'at,io11l; and though
.circumsta.nces may remlor the period more or less 1l'e~
«smote, still it must finally anivc, wllen what relnains of
tl1e*broken,and .crxm1hling political sys;ten;1s of the old
world must fall, amil give place to COI1$:3lll;UllO1’1S fotmclccl.
ml the basis of equal rlgllts. ‘Wt: l'1a,‘&’f3 seen, du1‘ing' tlm
past year, witl1 how lt'.1°esistil3le an e11c1"g_y tllese clauses;
lopcmte, in the new mpublics, that have burst fortla in»
to m;is3t:ence on our own continent. Vt/113 tl1m*e ever :1
people so opprcsshecl by a gOTVO.I‘.[‘1IT.lf3l‘lli, so 0hsala.vod by
supemtitiora, so home down in every ccmcczivablc m:.m-
11611‘, and in every poss~3il.)lo situation,  the unfox'tuna.te
natives of South Ai"l.'lt3I'lC€.1. In lOOlil1‘}g at tlmix‘ o1‘lgil1t2,
their past history, ancl their comilltlcm prior to the my...
olutirm, one Inigl1t say, that lwre was» 5:. mttiun, dlesatim
led to be asigmxl emmple oftlm degxmled stztte, to
Whiclu 21 people may he retlucxed, by tlw folly and Wichi-
gdnggg of its rulcws. But in the tleptlls oftheir 2u’llic-
tion, from the bftlfllis of the Oronoco, the cry of x*csi;~;st-—
211103 was lxeard, and spread with clczctric mpifiity
tlxrouglat the provvincms. From the vale of Mexico, to
the lmxzuriant pastures ofCl1ili5 the st.:m<.lar'd of i11élepm1—
silence vvas ulnlhrled. A Tlw gale, wlzicla awveepiziag f'z‘on1

tl1eirsall‘1oI'es, lately brought to our ears, but the czlarag at

arms, aml the sighs; of nmltltucles painting; far (lell*mr'-

gance, now bezws on its bosont the acclamatihoms at vit:t;0«

;1t:'y., Ininglecl with the choral mixthcms of frecCl.om. Ville

12

T

hail their entrance into tl1e grand frate1'nity of free
governments. May their future career be as prosper-,~
ous, as the past conflict has been bloody and manfully
sustained; and when fifty years shall have seen them,
free and independent, may they reeal, the names of
Bolivar, lturbide, and the revolt, with as much grati-—
tude, and admiration, as We remember the Revolution
and ‘Washington.

The same causes, that have worked out so glorious
a result in favor of this injured people, are still act-
ing in Europe, and with constantly augmented vigor.
Tliougli less clear and palpable in their ellects, than
formerly, they are not therefore the less operative.
Tillotigll the open conflict between power and rigllt
seems for a time suspended, it is only to collect new
strength for a fresh onset. Though he, who was rear»-
ed up by providence to accelerate the operation of
these causes ; he, the tyrant, converted into an involun~,-
tary instrument of deliverance to his species, lies where
he can no more intimidate or annoy; though the north-
ern Alexander, stands ready to pour his hosts of disci-
plined l3€1I‘il‘)2-1I‘lEtt1E5, wherever the cry so obnoxious to a
despot’s ear, shall first be heard; and England. looks
supinely on, while nations around her are struggliiig for
privileges, it is her boast to have enjoyed so long; still
the grand cause of human improvement shall not be
ch,e-clted .lt is impossible to arrest the sun in his course
through the theheavens. It is impossible to extinguisli
the insuppressible energies of mind,

‘.9 Yet Freedom, yet thy banner, torn but flying,
“ E-Streams, like the thunder storm, against the wind.

F‘ Tliy trumpet voice, though broken now, and dying,
"‘ The loudest yet, the tempest leaves behind.” i

13

TX

I lmow there are many, who do not look on the
cornmotions that have lately agitated Europe, with a
very favorable eye. They are shocked at the idea, of
plunging ‘a nation, into thatitumultuous state, without
Which, few revolutions A are unaccompanied. A They
think it better, passively to submit to existing evils, than
to apply so harsh a remedy; and to trust to the grad-
ual progress of intelligence, for the melioration of the

a political condition of nations. These sentiments arise

from the most amiable feelings, andare highly honora-
able to those who possess them. But they are found-
ed in the error, that a reformation, in the gradual and
pacific mode they would recommend, is practicable. .As
if princes will become less tenacious of their legitimacy,
and prerogative, in proportion as the improvement of
society renders them more valuable l   As if the crude
and bungling political systems of Europe, can be pared
down, and refined, into a rational and consistent system
like our own! Suppose the intelligence of an oppresed
people to be carried to its utmost possible limit, still,

While the principles of human nature continue What they «

are; while man grapples fast to what he possesses, and
strives to obtain more, regardless of the rights, the
Wants, and the complaints of others; force, more or
less of it, must be resorted to, in order to efilectya change
in the government. , The history of our, own revolution
can teach us, that an ambitious and tyrannical sovereign,
will never yield, even to the most righteous demands of
his subjects, till the impossibility of resisting any longer,
has deprived him of all power to refuse. A

An oppressed people, struggling to be free, have a
cause, which ought to receive the sincere and ardent

14

TX

--.._.——--

neayers of every lwell-wisher of the human race. It is

not a conflict, merely between one form of government

and another, between absolute monarchy and republi-—
oanism. In this cause, darkness is arrayed against light;
prescription against reason; superstition against religu
ion; and the infallibility of power against the ‘eternal
principles of justice. To the event of such a contest,
no American can be indiflbrent. "We l1ave tested the
worth of what other nations are striving to obtain, and
we know it is something more, than merely an unsubw
stantial name. Among us were first developed the full
effects of those causes, which are now workiiig out their
proper results in Europe. Here, was first shown what

‘can be effected by a people, who l1ave intelligence

enoug;l1 to understand their rights, and spirit to assert

them. Behold a few and thinly scattered colonies, dos»

titute of friends, and resources fearlessly declaring war,
on one of the most potent nations of the globe. For
what P To relieve themselves from great and urrgerit
evils, by which any people, driven to desperation, may
be hounded into a War, without fear, and without hope?
To gratify a rapacious lust for plunder, which some-»
tirnes induces the needy and feeble, to attack the strong
and the rich? No! For neither of these causes; but
from an hostility to a law, inconsiderable in its irminedie
ate effect, but which involved a principle dangerous to

the rights of their posterity. For this, our fatliers, _V

on this day, boldly bid defiance to a nation, whose arms
had been carried in triumph over three quarters of the
globe, and whose navies literally ruled the ocean. And
every succeeding anniversary, has brought with it new
proofs, of the foresight, and Wisdom, of those patriots,

133

Iunmmnnuu.‘

wlio achieved our independence, and devised the core
stitution on which we rely for its security. No longer
is it made our reproach, that infatuatedby a desire all
ter an unnatural, and impracticable perfection in gov»-
ernment, we have adopted a: system which the slightest
shock will be sufficient to overturn. They who laughed
to scorn our institutions, are now employed in imitating;
them; and they who hoped, and they who feared, their
speedy dissolution, join together in the general senti-
ment of approbation. War, with all its burthens, and
embarrasments, embargoes as ailleiictive as wars, faction
as wide in its influence, and as rancorous in its spirit, as
was ever witnessed in any country, have come in suc-
cession, to fill many a mind with anxiety and alarm for
their security. But this period of wars, embargoes,t
and cabals, has passed away, and the constitution has
come forth from its fiery ordeal, with firmness aug'111ent-
ed by the trial. None now ask, if it does not repose
with the executive an excessive, and clangterous author-
ity, that feature, which in the diseased imagination of
some men, seemed a monster destined. to swallow up all
our rights. None now ask, if it does not suppose more
intelligence in the people, than is consistent with a large‘
population. None now ask, if the extent of our terri-
tory is not incompatible with any modification of a re-
publican government. ‘When such interrogatories are
put, we have but to look around us, and we find every
where a full and satisfactory reply. We see it, in the

common feeling of union and harmony, with which all

are animated. We see it in the rapidly acciiiiiulatiug
wealth and power of our country. i We see it in the in-
creased estiination in which she is held in the eyes of

E16

C'q‘»3'i'u"m”'
foreign powers; aind we feel it, in the conscious p1'i£le
which thrills in every bosom, at the name of An1erica.
So fortunate a condition at present, is a fair and
ausyicious omen of future prosperity. It is hardly pos—-

sible, that so many circumstances, dangerous to our uni~
ty and independence, and welfare as a nation, sl"1oulcl

soon again arise, as we have already exper;ionee(l. May
our just antioipations be fully realized. May our for»-
tune hereafter be as prosperous, as it l‘io.s yet beeii folio»-

litous. May our land continue still proudly (3()I1:"-;‘»‘pl(31].0’l1€i=.,

as “ the asylum of the brave arid u1‘1fo1'otunato ziml tltm.

home of the free.” May science, o.m;l lit<::mtui;'e, zmcfl.

the arts, shed their berlign encl en1‘1c)l)lirig inl"li.:ieneo on

your character, and the spirit of ypoacc ziml l;;m1'x:nc>ny*

maintain its mild dominion over our land ; so tliiet an;

every succeeding anniversary, We may lmve f'resh
occasion to be grateliil to heaven, tl1:31t we are ltmm

Americans.