DR. CODMAN’S ORATION; AN ORATION ON THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN IN DEPEN DEN GE. BY JOHN CODMAN, Zlfinister of the Gospel IN DORCHESTER. flelivered and pubZ2'shecl at the request of the Committee of hArromgements in Dorchester, for the celebration of the Fourth qf July 1825. B 0 S T 0 N : CROCKER 55 BREWSTER, 1826. ORATION. WE have arrived, this day, fellow citizens, at a most interesting period iunythe history of our country. We have reached an elevation, A fromyvhich we can look, both backwards and forwards, with admiring gratitude and exulting hope. Half a century has rolled away, since thirteen feeble colonies of Great Britain declared themselves FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES. The circumstances, under which this successful T declaration was made, cannot, too frequently, be brought to your recollection. , It was not an ebullition of party strife that ‘separated the colonies from the mother country. 6 It was not an aversion to the land of their birth and of their fathers’ sepulchres that prompted them to renounce their allegiance to the British govern- ment. It Was not a Vain desire of national conse- quence that induced them to throw off the colonial yoke, and assume the attitude of an independent power. "When the spirit of a high minded people was first roused by the attempt to secure a revenue from the colonies without their consent, nothing Was, probably, farther from their intentions than to attempt their indepenclellltiec Thierir non,l;z.._,___ohj..e_c:t was to resist oppression. pThis they, unhesitatingly, manifested in their opposition to that odious act of the British rafiamenta Which1<>nies,. alid in opposition tatiurthe WM!‘-I1. and powerful eloquence of trs!;1C;Il1so.II1ei1 as Chatlranri and Burke, eppcanpporily he accouprxterd for from its connexion with a chain of” causes,wihich, underflothe all-Wise superiutendence of the great Ruler of the universe, was leading As on to an issue of jsuchf vast importance to the destinies of the World. 1 Lord North and his associates, with their high ideas of parliamentary suprepmacjr, and their fastid- ious and jealous notions of royal prerogative, aceel- erated acrisis, Which, though it could not have been eventually p1ievep11tped,pp might have been long delayed by a more prudent and accornrnodating aclministration; The fate of the firsts attempt to tax the colonies rvithout their consenttlid not open the eyes of the British ministry. They continued to persevere in a swarm» t0 ll:ll‘V1e,ri'ni»—7C1iilli%i~:«-willilrniii-&i***lr. heel lwcosls iii1101‘¢li11atel¥ 31' tached, and which they Were tooproud to retract. A The same principle, which renderefi tj/tern S’t(rn71o Act so obnoxious, was adhered to, in an act of par»! lpiamentpfor grant~ingppdutipeps; in __‘1l1e British colonies, 0t'¥iiiils°1aS_‘32 roPeP¢1‘, tiraintiflg ¢010u1‘s, and lim- il 'W1lltBSep__dht1tlBS,iip alithoughw tri1‘lingpin thternsellves, were intended to establish the great _p1'inciple at issue. in the tWophe“1nisphe1'es, and Were, of course, i1nme- diately and 1'eS01utelrresisted- i p The l§;e11e1*alppa11o powerful excitement Whicli these arbitrary measures p1'o(lu‘ced in. all the colonies, 8 and the resolutions and addresses occasioned by them, together with a universal agreement not to import British goods, induced the parliament to relax in their arbitrary measures, and to repeal all the duties they had imposed, excepting a trifling tax on tea. It was evident to the discerning minds of the colonists, who were now wide awake to the designs of the British ministry, that this was only a pitiful A attempt to evade a difficulty, and that they still adhered to the principle of unrepresented taxation. : The difficulties might ‘even here have subsided, for the patriotick spirit, thatthen prevailed, had pro- hibited the use of the taxed, commodity, and the efforts of our icountrymento disappoint the schemes of rtheirenemieslhad beennoblyseconded by their fair companions, Who were willing to deny them- selves the luxury of that delicious beverage, together vvithall the pleasures, and satisfactions, With which it is not unfrequently . associated. But a combination between the British parlia- ment and the East India Company to enforce upon the colonies the use of tea, led to a train of conse- quences, Which terminated in the declaration of that important event,'Which We this day celebrate. Our time will, scarcely, permit us to give, ‘even, a. brief isummary of the ‘events of the revolution. They toughtto be ’ familiar to every individual of this 9 crowded house-—‘--to everyindividual of this extended empire. 'Hoaryheads should teach them to lisping infancy, and generation to generation should hand them down to our latest posterity. “ i From the time of the destruction of the tea, in the port of Boston, the clouds began to thicken in the horizon of our country. This audacious act, as it was viewed by the British ministry, drew down their vengeance upon the townwhere it was so resolutely and yet so calmly committed. I The Boston Port»-Bill was the rod, which they prepared to correct that seditious town; but, like the rod of Moses, it became a serpent in their hand--—~and they fled before it. i y The 2 distress”, it occasioned “ by the operation T of this arbitrary measure, awakened the sympathies of the colonies from New Hampshire to Georgia. It was an electrical shock, that spread from heart to heart:--T-~,and,if1‘om that moment, they resolved to live or die in the cause of ‘liberty. A The gauntlet was thrown, and they had crossed the Rubicon. To look back was impossible. They looked forward, with steady eye, to the consummation of their hopes,“-their release from oppression, and their independence as a nation. 2 10 If any thing could heighten the resolution, which then actuated the colonists, it was the knowledge of the preparations, making by the British government, to reduce them to obedience. Not content with setting father against son, and son against father in this unnatural strife, not satisfied with levying their own troops to carry on a civil War, they employed upwards of l5,000 mercenaries from the continent of Europe, which,_together With the savage barbarities of theirlndian allies, they thought Would be irresist- ible by the poor and defenceless colonies, untaught in mil_l‘§;a1‘_y,._l,aCtlCliS, and untrained to military discipline. Butgreater was HE, that was for our fathers, than theythat were against them. ,An unshaken confidence -in the justice of their cause, and in the smile of approving heaven, was a striking trait in the character of the ‘heroes of the revolution. _ Days of fasting and prayer‘ were Very generally appointed to seek the blessing, of heaven upon the success of their arms. Ministers of the sanctuary rushed from their pulpits to the tented field, to encourage, by their prayers, and to anirnate With their exhortations, their fellow citizens in the cause of liberty. A And, He, who, byythe finger of God, as Well as universal consent, was appointed to lead the Ameri-- can army in their arduous struggle, He, who was first: in War, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his 11 countrymen, run lILLUS’.I_L‘RIOUS WAsHrNo:roNt was no less distinguished for his piety, than his colour. His ever ready acknowledgment of his dependance upon heaven, and his firmand unshaken confidence in the providence of God,both at the head of his troops, and on the floor of the national council, give a an inexpressible charm to a character, asperfect as humanity will admit, and a finishing stroke to a picture, which, as long as mankind are able to appre- ciate the beauty of moral excellence, will be the admiration of distant ages to the end of time. It was in the midst of this glorious struggle,---h when the prospect before them was rather dark than yyencouraging,-—--before they had obtained any hope of assistance from foreign powers,-——relying upon their own resou,rces,,,aI1d;, the helppofv theirGrod,,---that the British Colonies, by their representatives in Congress assembled, declared themselves FREE AND INDEPEN- DENT STATES,‘ After the declaration of Independence, our countrymen began topfeel the Want of that regular discipline, which distinguished the Britisharmy; and, for a While, success seemed to favour the cause of their enemies. Our different cities were, by turns, obliged to yield to superiour force- The flattering prospects in Canadawere blasted by the untimely, fall of the gallant Montgomery at the gates of 1:2 Quebec; and, though the friends of Independence never despaired of its cause, its enemies abroad ‘began to triumph. At that interesting crisis of our public affairs, a young nobleman in France, of high distinction, en- thusiastically attached to the cause of liberty,--—not deterred by the gloomy prospects of the country, ‘nor discouraged by the American. Commissioners at Paris, who thought it but honest to dissuade him from the perilous enterprise, embarked his fortune and his life in the cause of American‘ Independence. A ll Such disiiiterestedtheroism, such ardent patriot- ism Would have seemed more like the high-Wrought ‘ picture of the imagination, had We not twice proved its reality:-—_g--once bythe substantial Jse1'vic‘es ~ of the yotuthful Warrior, and once again,"a.fter the expira- tion of nearly half a century, by embracing, with our warmest affection, and Welcoming to these shores of freedom--THE VENERABLE LAFAYETTE. VVith What iriexpressible emotions Will the patriot Sage, Whose presence gave such intense interest but a year ago, to the celebration on the heights of Charlestovvn, regard this Jubilee of our Independence, in the bosom of his family, and in the quiet of La Grange. i Happy man! and happy nation who can rank him among her adopted sons! May the close of his life be 13 as serene, as its career has been glorious:---and, when his earthly course shall be finished, may his memory descend, with increasing freshness, to the remotest age, While ta monument, more durable than brass, is raised in the heart of every American, bearing the associated names of VVASHINGTON AND LAFAYETTE. With the acknowledgement of our Independence by the court of France, which soon took place through the unwearied exertions of the illustrious Franklin and his associates, and the efficient aid to be expected from our new allies,----the prospects of our ‘infant nation began to brighten. The memorable capture of Burgoyne, in the preceding campaign, had restored animation to the sinking spirits of the newly formed States, and, together with the alliance of the king of ‘France,, gave inewdtifeto their high erlterprisega:rThere now, scarcely, remained a doubt in reflecting minds, that, however long the struggle might be protracted, the Independence of the United States was secure. at We Will not trace the events of the Revolution, A from the capture of Burgoyne in the north, to the sur- render of Cornwallis in the south.---‘With this last failure of their arms, the hope of the British ministry to reduce the colonies to submission seemed to expire. Nothing now remained but to acknowledge, with the best grace they could, that Independence, Which could no longer be Withheld- leis A Thus terminated a revolution, unparalleled in the history of rnanktind;---and thus arose a Nation to her place among the nations of the earth, which is destin- ed to exert a most powerful influence over the habita- ble World. , y ,The Independence of the United States, with the subsequent formation ,of its Constitution of gov- ernment, was considered an experiment in the history of Republicks. The experiment has now been tested by the experience of half a century. A p Many were the forebodings of the friends of rnonarchical and aristocratical governments, that, long before the expiration of half a century, this infant Republick would become a prey to faction, and be rent with internal division. , Even herfriends were anxious with respectto the result of this great experie- rnent. They remembered the history of other Repub- licks,and, while they hoped to avoid the rocks upon vvhich they were Wrecked, they could not but feel the most intense solicitude respecting their own final success. H A Their most sanguine expectations have been rnore than realized;,-~—--and those early friends of the Revolu-7 tioin, who this day survive, have the unutterable satis-e faction of r beholding the liberties, for Which, they fought, strengthened with the growth of half a cen- tury, and the government of theirtchoicemonsolidatetgl A .15 on a basis, so firm and strong as to remove all doubts of itscontinuance and perpetuity. i ‘ 7 “ : Experience has proved that there was a stamina in the Constitution of the American Republick, which Was Wanting in the Republicks of former and later times. This stamina is the inzelligeit-ce (mold moral sense of the people. The universal diffusion of educa- tion among all classes of the community and the influ--- ence of moral and religious principle formed a broad foundation, upon which to erect a government, that will stand, we trust, for ages,---as a confutation of the long received opinion of the instability of ire-+ publican institutions. y For want of this, the boasted republicks of Greece and Rome lost their glory, and the laterleX—- l periment amjong the people‘? :L..tiiFraneer utterly failed. It is not every people that are capable of being free; and of maintaining and preserving their freedom. The American nation has shewn to the World that she knows how both to appreciate and preserve the blessings of liberty. While she is justly regarded as chief among republicks, let all those, who would imitate the model of her govern-- rnent, be careful to lay the same broad foundation in general education, piety, ‘and virtue. Then, and not till then, will their liberties be complete, and their independence secure. l6 The present condition of our country is such, as must fill every patriotick bosom with admiring grat— ituder The rapid increaseof our population from three to twelve millions of people,----the addition of several new states to the original confederation---and the present unexampled prosperity of our nation, , are subjects, upon which We might dwell with untiring delight. But the time devoted to this exercise Will not admit of farther enlargement, We can only offer to each other our mutual congratulations on this aus- picious occasion, and unite in fervent thanksgivings to that sovereign Power, Who fixes the bounds of our habitation, that the lines have fallen to as in such pleasant places, and that we have such a goodly heritage. V n l » in i n i- ‘Wiiiatobliigations do We not owe those illustri-— ous men, by whose Wisdom and valour, by Whose patience and self-denial, We obtained the blessings of liberty and independence! A Heroes and statesmen of the revolution! We Would, this day, offer the tribute of our gratitude to your revered memory. We would cherish the recol- lection of your deeds of valour, and teach our chil- dren the story of your high achievement, , A Within the lapse of half a century, how many of these distinguished men have been numbered with the dead! Some of them remain, however, to this Ha! 17 Clay,»-and We are yet permittedito number, in the list of i living vvorthies, an uninterrupted’ successidn of the chief magistrates of our country since the adminis- tration of Washington. , , Venerable men! we congratulate you on the arrival of this national jubilee. We rejoice that a gracious Providence has protracted your lives to this interesting period in the history of our country! If any thing can increase the satisfaction you feel on this memorable day, it must be the cousidera- tion that the chair, which you so long occupied, is filled by one, Who inherits your Virtues, and Walks in your steps. Rising superiour to cotemporary jeal- ousies and sectional partialities, We doubt not that he Will retain thpeppconfidepnce of the nation, and that a his adininistration, iliiltiei that of his predecessors, Will be alike honourable to himself, and to his country. But, While We rejoice, that so many of the patriots of the revolution yet survive, our joy is chas- tened by the intelligence We have, this moment‘, received, that the revered and honoured parent of our beloved chief Magistrate is approaching theconfines of the eternal world. V In the midst of the pleasant recollectionsand festivities of this occasion, We cannot but ‘pause to notice this most striking and solemn dispensation of the providence of Almighty God. i 3 The hand, that subscribed the Declaration of our Independence flfiy years ago is, While we are speak- ing, stiffening in death.-----The spirit, which was so actively employed for the good of this nation, is, perhaps, at this passing hour, taking its upward flight from its clay tabernacle and this sublunary state. i But what reason have we for gratitude, that a life so valuable, has been spared so long; and that thelvenerable man has lived to see his son occupying the same high station which he once filled, and to leave his country, at the close of half a century, not only free" and independent, but in a condition of unexampled prosperity. ' 1 Although his expected removal is calculated to cast axglooml over‘ this ~ joyous occasion, to We may say with the sons of the prophets, when their master was taken from thern,--—-—“T/ze spirit of Elajah rests upon Elia/La.”* f _‘ _,In dwelling upon the present happy and pros- perous state of our nation, We would not reflect, with haughty self-complacency, upon the governments‘ and people of Eppurope, nor magnify the value of our national privileges by a contrast with the defects in their, systems of governrnent. There, has,,be,e”n too stronga disposition to boast of our ‘V liberties,., and to W President Adams departed, this life at’ half past six’ o’cil_ock, P. M’; July 4th, 18%. . ., 1 i _ “ I9 consider ourselves the only free and happy people on the face ofthe earth. i The excitement produced in our revolutionary struggle, by the infatuated conduct of a misguided administration, served to blind some of the friends of liberty to the excellence of the British Constitution itself, and to induce them to regard all the inhabi- tants of Britain as inimical as their animfstry. But it ought not to be forgotten, that, during the heat of the controversy, there was always a party in favour of the struggling colonies,‘ and that most of the eloquence and talents both of the Lords and Commons, Were decidedly opposed to the measures of government. The American party in England has been grow- ing stronger and stronger since the acknowledgement of our Independeneegandithe events‘ of the last vvar, Whatever might be the views of its justice and expe- diency, have served greatly to raise the American character in the estimation of the nations of Europe. Her flag is now respected Wherever it Waves. And,---since she has_ proved herself able to cope with that power, which once styled herself the mistress of the Ocean,——-—-—America has nothing to fear from insults at sea, or invasion at home. Safe from all danger of foreign aggression, she may now devote herself to the arts of peace,---to the important objects of internal improvement,---to the E30 cultivation of her soil, and to the encouragement of those necessary manufactures, which will render her as independent in her resources, as she is in the con- stitution of her government. I The spirit of improvement appears to be spread- ing through every part of our country, and new objects of enterprise, and new sources of Wealth are calling forth the energies of our growing population, and adding fresh beauty, increasing convenience, and substantial advantages toour highly favoured land. It is difficult for the imagination to conceive the ' mighty results of this spirit, at the completion of the remaining part of the centennial existence of this nation. Whoever lives to see that ‘period, will Wit- ness a surprisingchanyge in the 2 natural, intellectual and nioral condition of our country. Not one ofthe actors in the revolution will then be living, to: tell the story of his nation’s birth;-——but the generation, which will then fill their places, born under the shadow of liberty, and nurtured in the school of freedom, will, we trust, adhere, with undeviating firmness, to the principles of their fathers, and prove A to mankind, that the human character, instead of, deteriorating, rises, in intellectual and moral excel‘-in lence in the Westernworld. A A i We cannot but indulge the pleasing expectation, that the close of the century will find these United 21, States, not only, as at present, free and independent, but rich in resources and strong in power:---—--that no civil discord will interrupt their union, but, bound together by ties, strengthened and confirmed by time, they will present an object of admiration to their friends, and an invincible phalanx to their foes. In the mean time, We, who are now in active life, have duties to perform and responsibilities to meet as members of this rising empire. Let us remember, that the Welfare and glory of our nation is intimately connected with the principles We imbibe, and the characters We sustain. Real- izing the Vast importance of knowledge, morality and religion to the existence and perpetuity of our repub~— lick, let us diligently foster all those institutions Whose object is toriiextend their influence. it Especially, let us, ever, remember that RELIGION is the best and only security for the continuance of our liberties. As a minister of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ, as well as the orator of your appointment, I feel it to be my indispensable duty, on this occasion, so deeply interesting to our beloved country, to urge upon you the supreme and paramount importance of the Cltristian faith. As descendants of the pilgrims, who sought these shores two centuries ago, to enjoy unmolested the rights of conscience, this audience, surely, need 252 U not be reminded of the duties, of the blessings, and the hopes of Christianity, nor need they be told, that they only are truly free, who are liberated from the bondage of sin, and the service of Satan, by the grace of the Son of God. _ 4 How can an ambassador of Jesus Christ close an address of this kind, with more propriety, than by directing, the attention of this great assembly, from scenes of oppression and contest---to the peaceful dominion of the King of Zio11s;—--from the tribute of gratitude, so justly due to the saviour of his coun- tr_y,--—¢to the praise of HIM who died to save a World! flip It becomes, then, the character of the speaker and this sacred place, to lead your thoughts to subjects of, higher ,ir1te1°est than the concerns , of ,,’ClI7I1,.e,"',""*.+'lZ(';i), retnindfiiyoti of your accountability that Being, in whose sight all the nationstt Qf the earth are as a drop of the bucket and the small dust of the balance. Before his dread tribunal heroes and statesmen, rulers and people must one day stand, with unnumbered mil— lions of the human family. Comparatively trifling, then, will be the distinctions of government, the pride of Kings and the glory of Republicks. Happy will they be, who have been made free from sin by the sanctifying influences of the Spirit of God, of whatever nation, kindred, tongue and people, While they will have forever to deplore their wretched, condition who have rejected‘ a Saviour and indulged in . iniquity, though they might have “lived under the purest government, and enjoyed the highest privileges. With the joyous celebration of this day, let a deep sense of our obligations to heaven, andour accountability to the Judge of men be united. Let religion chasten the festivities of the occasion; and let us remember, that as C/trvistians, as well as Citizens, We have abundant cause for grateful acknowledge- ment and. fervent praise. ‘ i In imitation of God’s ancient people, let us, this day, cause the trumpet of Jubileeto sound throughout all the land, and let us hallow the fiftieth year and proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the land, to all 4 the inhabitants ythwwereoyf. A L g*;en”ere{1i“lianl"d .:rmat 1i»ni.s>ersa1tce1éi5rau‘on of this national jubilee, the inhabitants of this ancient town are happy, most cordially, to unite. few are yet remaining with us, who remember the scenes of the Revolution; and the memorrablehefghts of Dor- chester, althoughnow annexed to the neighbouring capital, Will ever be associated, in the history of this a town, with deeds of former years. We may Well congratulate ourselves, not only on the blessings of liberty and independence which We enjoy, in common with our fellow citizens of this happy Republick, but on our peculiar local advan- 241+ ‘tages. In the immediate vicinity of the capital of New England,---possessing a soil, strong and fertile, and streams, favourable to manufacturing enterprise, with scenery, almost unparalleled for its beauty and variety,----the farmer, the mechaniclt, the manufac4 turer, and the man of retirement from business can scarcely find a spot in'NeW England more conducive to his comfort, and more favourable to his pursuits. To all these local advantages, if We may add the prevalence of good and friendly feeling,--—-of moral and religious principle,»--—vve need nothing more to render our situation as desirable as any part. of our extensive country. Let us then, cultivate these feel- ings and cherish these principles. A On this our national bigrtl1;day,, let us uI1ite,nas a band: Hf the interesting recollections and social enjoyments of the occasion; and,----while We cherish the memory of the patriots of former l.years,-—----let us endeavour to act Well our parts on the stage of life, and to transmit to our children the liberties, so clearly purchased by the blood of our fathers.