ORATION, NEWBURYPORT, A W om TI-IE4 I4‘IFTY-FOURT I~I ANNIVERSARY A A you.-< ‘mm% DE.G;f.A15cA'tt'I.ON .mmm’I:a1:t@ m:ern:£&‘:nmmm1i&.m mxw W“ Sperat infestis, Inetuitsecundis ,% % % Azlteram sortem bane preparatum ~% % » ;I’ectus,’?-~Harace%.% ‘ % 5 ‘ av wxums. ALLEN. ¢ ‘Ii »'.*:5, € flTa meetingof Subscribers to .Mr.%.£lllen.’s Omtiong Doct. J. ATKINSON, Chairman. V . t t % V VOTEDA ; that Stephen» W. Marston, Esq. Hon. Ebenez:eé~ Mosely and Doct. John ./fltlcinson be a committee to wait on William‘ S. Allen, Es‘q.x and request a copy of his Oration delivered, on the 5th inst, for the press. % July,‘ 1830. J. STONE,‘ Jr. Secretary. ORATIQN. FELLOW-CITIZENS 2 ‘We come, on this day, to commemorate one of those great epoclis, in the history of our race, which is distinguished by events, that, not simply fixed the fortunes of a nation but, gave an impulse to society itself. And, while those fortunes were no less gloriousthan that impulse was beneficial, to us and to fu—- ture generations has been committed the solemn trust of'cherish- ing the spirit, that shall quicken that impulse and preserve those fortunes. Hence, in the commemoration of such a period, may equally join the friend of man and lover of his country. Hence again, to its commemoration, however suited the expression of that sensibility, which quickens intonewer vigor, at those grate- ful notes, pealed forth from the stirring anthem, the joyous bell or deep voiced cannon, no less suited is a disposition to these reflections, that disdain not a calm and faitlifull examination of our actual condition and prospects. On an occasion, of such moment, were it even novel, called, as I am, to aid in its solemnities, I should despair of presenting an unappropriated oiieririg, worthy of its grandeur and import- tance. Standing then, as I do, at an altar, sweet with the re»- peatod sacrifices of piety and patriotism; on a day, that has called forth, among you, the loltiest energies of those. accom- plished minds, which have shed an enduring lustre on this,‘ the ’ home oftheir nativity or adoption, you will surely pardon, in me, a failure to challenge your adiniration by any unvvonted boldness of discussion---any new ernbellisltunent of manner. The language ofpassion indeed, so simple, when true, has, on these occasions, been too far exhausted to admit of new varieties ofexpression; the themes most appropriate ;——-the history and glory ofour country, its trials and successes ;-—-—-are tales thrice told, which, having fatigued the ingenuity of thousands, leave to him, who now takes up the story, the subordinate merit, to be derived from placing, in new positions, subjects of former en-i r uiry and contemplation. 1 shall there1‘ore anticipate your kindest indulgence, on this occasion. The day, while it directly andforcibly reminds of that act, which resulted in our country’s sovereignty and independence, not unnaturally leads the mind further back to the trials, toils and triumphs of the fathers of that country, whose spirit and principles share in the glory, conferred upon that act 5 nor teebly l suggests whatever bears relation to that country’s V lreedoinand v security now and hereafter. r 4 As good is educedfrom evil, to religious intolerance the pee»- ple of this country and the world owe not a little :--—--the blessings or example of equal rights, free constitutions and popular gov» ernments. When the fires of Smithfield were extinguished, had persecution thrown down her brand and put off‘ her armor; had she been content with assailing non-conformity by weapons, less sharp than bonds and confiscation, where now is extended one united republic, might have been witnessed clusters of petty sovereignties, existing only for mutual annoyance, or govern- ments cramped by colonial subjection. But Providence had de-~ signs that, in the constitution of things, could be effected only by instruments of violence and injustice. The worl:~went bravely on. Civil disabilities and penal exactions degraded and op» pressed thousands among the purest and firmest of those,’who were resolved to worship God, according to the dictates of their con» sciences, unawed by the terrors and unseduced by the blandish- ments of civil or spiritual power. Patriotism may say: “ Wl'ie1'e Liberty is, there is my country ;” Piety wouldsay: “ Where God is, there istmy home”! and so thought and acted the fathers of New England- Freedom to worship their Maker in the mode approved to their consciences, from the teachings of Inspiration, untrarnmelled by any form, untaxedby any ceremonial, not of their own, choice, was the ardent and uncontrollable aspira- tion of their bosorns. That they were extreme in their views of hthe government and discipline, proper or expedient to the Christian Church ; that many of their scruples were fastidious and apprehensions idle, may indeed be true ; but errors not vi- tal, as such must by the enlightened conscience, be held to be, deserved not death, bonds or confiscation. These, however, were doctrines not in harmony with the views of an age, which had not shaken off the load of" intolerance ; and the world has witnessedthe result in the banishment of the persecuted and conscientious, in the face of opposition and amid threats of a punishment, from the homes of their childhood, and the graves of their kindred. . . Here, though,intheir first public act, in that original and im- rmortal'compact;--—~l-in which may be discerned the germ ot‘ourhap- py ‘constitutions;-l-—they fully acilcnowledged the authority of the King ;- yet their verysituationi, ‘the acts to which they were con» stiantlyl impelled, the freedom_iu which they held their faith and e"xe'rcised their worship ; all conspired to give them a sense of” liberty and independence, which naturally tended to weakenuthe force ofprior obligations, to a sovereignty, removed by distance and averse to their cause. i In truth, frorn their first arrival, loy~— alty with themiwas a word of’ new signification. Here they found asoil fit for thepexpansion of those principles, which were cramped at home; and the ‘theory of English liberty was main» tained in its fullest vigor both in practice and speculatioxlp.-- With them, taxation and iiepreseiitatioii were strictly corres- ponding rights and duties; and the privileges, secured", to the charter governments, vested immunities beyondtlie controlot' arbitrary power.’ In the avowal and Inaintenance of such prin- ciples, is "it surprizingltliat the entire history of the colonies, V frerii the time they emerged intotcousequence, as political .soci_e~«. 4 5 ties, to the termination of the war, which secured our indepen-~ deuce, presents one ‘long, hard struggle between the crown and its subjects? n A . Not fifteen years after the settlement of Plymouth, tidings arriving that a change was meditated in the mode of their gov- ernment, the colony unanimously resolved that they would “ dc-— fend their lawful possessions.” ‘ At no later date, the same colony, followed afterwards by all the others, in a spirit equally independent, declared, in their general assembly, which was strictly democratic, that no act shouvl-d be imposed upon them, in their own strong language, “ at present or to come, but such as has or shall be enacted by con- sent ofthe body offreemen or their representatives legally as- sembled; Which is according to thefree liberties of the free- born people of England.” i Soon after the restoration, commissioners having been ap--- pointed, by the parent government, with full judicial powers, , throughout New England, on the first exercise of their corn1nis- sion, a declaration was drawn up by the general assembly of Massachusetts, and published to the people, at the sound of the trumpet, in whichthey denied their authority, and condemned their procedures. And afterwards, when process was issued t'~.lg‘t.LlIllSlL the cha.rter of Massachusetts, as being deemed most re- lruetory, the King having o'fl‘erecl milder terms, on condition that the colony should submit her charter to his revisal, her repre- sentatives declz;;ii'ed__ that “ it" die they must, they would not die by their own hands.” _ o Is it vvonderi'ul that, when writhing under, the tyranny oi'Andrus, the indignation of‘ such men should have burst forth. at once, on the mere rumor that the l;’ri1'ice of Orange was in llinglriniilt; that, in the streets of’ Boston, they should have gath- ered in arms and seized on the tyrant and his rnyrinidens as “ public robbers!” ‘ - r . Irllow resolved were the colonies to enjoy their liberties, it‘ not to shake off‘ their dependence will appear from nunierous co:nt.einporai‘y declarations. , fl..ord Clarendon, referring to New EI"lg;lt.i.l’l(;l, in his own tirno, said “theyvvere already hardened into republics.” And this truth was felt by Charles the II. who resolved,as he snid,to “res duce them to a more palpable depet‘iclence:i°’ No less is it vei"i'iied by anotlier,”“ with every facility of observation, ‘who, aclvefling to the general belief‘, in the mother country, that New Erigla.1icl' meant to abjure her allegiance, says “this objection one with from personsof all conditions and qualities.” Theijealousy here disclosed, united to the more powerful sava- rice of trade,led to those restrictive rneasures, which, contrary to many recent theories, long betbre the acts, that ushered in meets the Revolution, not merely occasioned, to the colonies, some mnbarrassment, but induced direct and absolute oppression. t--¢—qn-u-u—- ”“' M. J. Dum1“r1er, agent for .l‘lIZ1S:$'c2(i‘.lilLltilfilllis, early in tire reign. Cit” i George I. 6 I11 proot of this might be cited the various acts, regulating the trade, navigation and manufactures ofthe colonies, all intended to remind them of their subjection, and confer a monopoly on -the merchants, tradesmen, and manut'acturers of the mother country; whose clamors against the colonies were always fol-- lowed by additional bonds on their victims. That the colonies resisted these acts, as invasions of their lib- erties; that they chaibd in their fetters, or trampled them in the dust, isonly further evidence of that determined spirit of liberty by which they were always animated. Well of such men, as of their successors, might the great Chatham have confessed; “ For myselfl must avow and declare that, in all my reading; and observation, for solidity ot'reaso11i1ig, force of sagacity and wisdom of conclusion, no nation or body of men can stand in preference” to. them. ‘Worthy indeed to be the sires ofthe Adams’s, Otis’s and Quincy’s, who quicltened the flame of liberty through halfthe continent ; and some of whom, mournfully to their country, but gjloriously for themselves, expired in its blaze! v r A study of theirearly history ‘forcibly illustrates this freedoru of sentiment and action ; it shows thatvioncroachments were rem sisted as well in our weakness our strength ; and may serve toinspire their descendants with reverence and admiration of those noble spirits, front whom they derive a birth more illustri-— ous than ever gleamed from the scutcheons of titled wealtli or power. ‘ Nor, on this day even, should the appeal be disallowed, at a time when a temper of hostility, not confined to tioi-eign sections of our country, is manifested toward New Englatid ; when her history is distorted ; her manners derided, her principles belied. it is the duty of every son, true to the interests of that home, where he believes the noblest institutions of his country are supported in the puirest spirit of liberty and J':n:u"nanity, to see to it that her character and history are not left witliout deforice ; that to us does not attach the reproach of Cl(3.‘3]_7lSl,I"lg ,»:g;o4iul, or clinging‘ to ill, exaniples ; that the s.ari1r=: spirit, which izrtlamcd our l'at11ers to resist ztgg1“essio1i from abroad, animates also to repel those etficroachrnents, that would bring us into bondage at home . , Of the harsh and oppressive measures that: hurried on the Revolution, and of that inighty event, who, that has not treasur—- ecl every memorial! V‘Vl‘1<3, that has not scanned every line ost“ the sl1il't.ing picture ; new glearning; with sunshine, new clouded with storrns and agitated by tempests 5 new radiating hope, now sullen with despair! t It was a bold declaration, that which announced to mt:uiltin.d that these _A.I1‘1GI'lCt“t1‘l States were, and ot'i'igl1t oiiglit tofbe, free and independent! &l1€llJt.)l(.l men were they who fixed tlieir nntncs to this clefgaiice. of power! , Tire merits of this ZDeclaration need not here be dwelt iiprin. A As a thrciliile enurnoration ot"tl1e griov- ances to which the colonies were siiltijectecl ;, and solemn appeal, to ll}@_lt1ClgIT:1t3t"IlZ oi‘ nations and the will of lioavcn, it is a composition Woiuir:riiilly ttiLic:l'ii1i;;;‘ and pciwerliil’. , '".i"'he lizzmiy W, I use ofthc materials, on all sides abundant, is no less admiralilef; and has produced an exact expression of the ‘ sentirnent, temper and language ofthe times, t » The Revolution, that followed, was cl:ia.1'uctorize(l by all that is serious, lofty and e11nol)ling“ in character; by the warmest ell fusions of patriotism, the sincerest aspirations of piety ; a self'— sacrificing surrender of all that is mean, selfish and aggrandizw ing in our natures. How deep and broad the contrast with that theatrical display, in a country, thank heaven! {hr distant from our own, wl1ic11,l1uggin.g; the phantom of Reform, resounded with the shouts of”a1'al)'l;>le, led on by the inummers oflicen- tiousuess, and polluted itself with the <:lo'inp;s oi" fiends, in the shape of men! ‘On that country seemed, for atimo, to be poured out the vials OfI"IG€tV’G1’17S hottest wratlsi. l‘_lnhi'ii<5lletl vanity, l'e- rocity and lust, held uncontrolled dominion ; Wl'lll€2: the t‘hirest fruits of virtue, piety and 1"Cllrl,{:!,',l(I)l'lI, of Wl"l(T.'tl1€£V(iH‘ enlhellislies, whatever sustains society and the liurnan cl1arz:1.c;:te‘1', were utter- ly swept away. Fora time, almost witlizont a. l?ip;i,11'<3, France presented an open hell, into which the nations inigl'1t look to see the torrnents ot the clarnned belhroitl1ei1* time! Centauri in llL)I‘.l.l3)1lS stnliulant, Elcyllznque l:»llh1'n1es, Et centum geininus .Bria1'e11s, no hellua Imrxizn Horrendum striclens,'llarnmisque armata Olurnaera, Gorgones, I-Iarpyrequc! , To maintain that a revolution so destructive and so awful ; ending, as did that revolution, in the hardest despotism, that ever, paralysed the will of a people ; to say that it was salutary in any tendency, near or remote, seems almost a perversion of lan-« guage. But yet howolten are we told that such awful and vio—- lent convulsions are necessary to the progress ‘of’ the wo1'ld?-——-~ How often are they likened to the tvarlhre of the elements, when from thunder and from tempest, issues the rainbow of joy; that purification of the air, that refiesliment of the earth, so vi- tal to our being! The analogy is imperfect. To sustain it, the lightnings of heaven should not merely flash in the firmament and send a lurid glare over the storm ; they should come, as they descended upon the slime of‘ the Cities of the Plain ; uproot the foundations of the earth, and Whelm, in one common ruin," all the works of'Art, of Science and of Time! This disposition to look forward to revolution, as the only rem-~ edy for misrule; to admire the workings’ of those turbulent and fiery passions, that distract, confound and overwhelm a whole peo- t ple--to imagine that the improvement to result depends on the extent of the carnage and the ruin-~——--argues a ferocious spirit; more often perhaps a narrow, perverse, or blinded understand- ing. , It is a disposition too tcornmonly cherished among our-A selves ; and too commonly fostered by those, who assume to en» t gross the formation of the general sentiment. But it is one that deserves to be discouraged by every enlightened and benevolent mind. He, who studies intentlyethe causes that induced;thje~e revolution here; and duly appreciates the relation, that existed a bet t een the parent country and her colonies, will be the last to V nurture or commend a temper, which is disposed, rather,ethane hear the ills We liave, to fly to those we ‘know not oily 3 Such was not the temper, that inflpenced tlle ‘m““overs of our‘ revolution. They felt, it was no light thing to dissolve the con» nexion between a sovereignty and its subjects. They would not accept as pretexts or apologies oftliose superficial, partial or momentary evils; those petulant disgusts or trifling apprehen- sions ; that hurry only into abuse, licentiousness and violence. Sensible, therefore, that, while acting from causes of a deep and aggravated nature, there was, in their course, something to de- fend ;-—--«that, on them, was the burden of proof 5--——-they were,p~re- pared to exhibit to the world a series of aggressions, that denied and set at nought the fundamental principles of good govern- ment; and the rights, which their fathers always enjoyed and ‘always claimed. They felt bound to show that the question at ~~iss1.re was set forth in terms too plain to be rnisapprehencled; and that the difference was reconcileable only by appeal to arms. Thus, though, from causes purely natural, held by a tie of feeble texture, which was hourly relaxing, our fathers, to justify the rupture, still felt bound to show, that this tie was studiously a weakened, on the part of the mother country, by the most un- provokedand unnaturalaggressions. And this it is that shall ~ ever be discerneclwand admired bythe lovers of eternal truth and justice 3 however much distorted in the declamation of mere demagogues and partizans.. i In the recognition of this same firm, yet forbearing temper, should all our civil relations be sustained ; nor should our spec—- ulations, on this day, be devoid of that calm and reflective, yet independent, spirit,which We hold as a birthright and should ever cherish with respect. In this spirit then may we venture to ask ourselves, in passing toa view of those indications, which inviteour attention in more recelntevents, if, from some of these, may not be inferred a cer- tain weakness and pliancy of principle, that, wearing the guise of rnildness and liberality, permits, encourages and even pro-— ‘ rnot~eis,tl1at licentiousness of sentiment and manners, so threat- eningoto ournational security and happiness; a disposition to make‘sord_id{and selfish gratifications the end of our pursuits, that is disturbed only by what distinctly clashes with our self- interest 3 "a dread of, sacrificing present enjoyments, in support a of cardinaljtruthsanjd in the cause of humanity and justice ; all speciously. veiled under that love of excellence in speculation which isiperfectly consistent with a blindness to it injpractice? Are we not too fond of’ breaching hollow theoriesand‘ dec1;ama+- tory" professions; nourishing a. delusion often thatjwelovle, as much, the essence, as, the forrns of liberty ; yet, by iartful'so'p=h- i*srns“,i by moral anodynes, blunting our perceptionpsto acts of in- ‘ justice and inhumanity; of gross violationsof the spirit of our: republican" institutionys.“ l p pi i Isnotithis witnessed, injsociety,by they lowness of ourviews; in the practicalsubstitution, asthe aim of our exertions, of tem- poral enjoyments; the comforts of wealth and the rewards of ambition, for the pleasures of intellect, the delights of virtue, and the consolations of duty? Is it notiwitnessed,inilegislation, r by the absence often of lofty and generousjsentiment-—-——-of views is oieiilarged policy '; in sectional and party prejudice ; in appeals ‘to expediency and present quiet; in timid and temporary re- treats, resorts and evasions. Is it not witnessed somewhatin our coldness to the exertions of benevolence and philanthropy, when pursued with boldness, distinctness and perseverance 5 to the feebleness of our response to the voice of justice and truth ; in thecomplacency, with which we eye the inroads of vice, the prevalence of error, the persecution of virtue? ‘ _ This nation has long proudly boasted of its entire freedomand independence ; and the descendants of the pilgrims may boast of a virtue, which they as a body, have never sullied. But can we conscientiously join all in this tribute, when, turning to the South and the West, we look for a moment on that portentous cloud, which threatens to overshadow one half this hemisphere, T and, in no long time, to burst, in fire.and blood, on the fair face of our country. I mean not now to reiterate those denuncia- tions---so many thousand times repeated till the ears of christian Europe tingled with the alarm-i---of the horrors and abominations of that traffic, in which human lives and happiness ; and immor- tal souls, are barter-ed for gold and silver ; neither do I mean to dwell on the awful and ruinous consequences, to be apprehended from the continuance or extension of slavery in this country. It is a theme, which, on this day, is more directly presented and more fully urged than is consistent with my present purpose. I simply wish to fix your attention one moment on slavery in this (country, to recall that solemn act of our assembled representa- tives, in the capital of the nation, when it was resolved, andthat resolve was deliberately carried into law,_that slavery, with all its miseries of bondage ; all its horrors of extension, multiplica- tion and perpetuity, should be fastened on the territories beyond , the Missiissippi. Day after day did the halls of Congress resound, with the declarnations of those misnamed patriots, who, by every craft of sophistry, labored to extend and eternize the heaviest «curse, that ever befel a nation! Day after day, arose too the voices of these real lovers of their country, who would not tem-» porize away her precious stake in the preservation of principle and the perpetuity of liberty; who would notrthrow down her image in mockery to the dust, and barter, for the interests of an hour, the welfare of an age, and our character forever. But the result is known. The great Mississippi is now no barrier to the pestilence that walketh in darkness, as at noon-day; the M . plague—spot is spreading from the Atlantic to the Pacific; and soon the sun, at his rising’ and his going down, will look sadly onithe broadest blot that darkens humanity on the surface of the globe? I ‘ ' T r And now shall I be tioldiof the _stedfa_st principle of our coun- try; shallit be proclaimed that the South and the Westare eager to rid themselves of « thisievil? I heed it not. If they make such professions, those professions are not pure. T They i feel it not, like men, to be a scourge 5 they feel it not,_like pa--i triots,to beta shame; they fear it not, like Christians, to be it sin. in V , p p i l . ‘ 10 But ‘here, if‘ you see no_ evidence of a prostration of‘ gyprinciple at the feet of interest and passion, let me turn your attiention to another and more recent solemn act, Where principles are as- sumed, which I will not trust myself to depict. You have all heard of a nation of aboriginal inhabitants——the native p:roprie—~ tors of their 'soil—--who were living, or, Without molestation, might have lived in conifort, prosperity and happiness;~——in the cultivation of their lands, the melioration of their society and the improvement of their government. They were growing---~ incontestably growing, in the best arts of civilized and polished life. They owned the land, on which they trod ; its boundaries were defined, and its charter was from God. They never be-— came, by their own assent, subject to any control, save of their own ordaining ; and they never ordained that the whites should hold dominion in their soil. Over this foreign nation——-—I havecited one only frorn the 11am-- ber-—-~a bordering State, without color of right or law, extended their jurisdiction, subjecting it to obligations, in imposing which that nation had no voice. Some of those obligations were charged with a most "oppressive burden ; and breathedthe worst spirit of injustice and inhumanity. That nation laid its grievances at the feet of a sovereignty superior to that State; a sovereignty, with which, it had joined hand in hand, in more than fifty treaties; and what was the reply? Will it be believed that it was a res—~ ignation and abandonment of this feeble and inofi'ensive people to the mercy of that State; an abandonment, in defiance offifty compacts of solemn import and most binding obligation; in con- tempt of the laws, which hold nations and societies together! So it wa,s-——with truth may I say——so it is; for the abomination of desolation is now pouring out. A whole people must either be sacrificed in their present homes 5 or depart——-the aged and infirm, the tender and the young-—-to be dragged, hundreds of leagues, to La wretched soil, yet to be broken up by severe toils Vanddisheartening exertion; to encounter the perils of an untried climate; there to linger out a miserable existence, in poverty and debasementm, To conceive of the horrors and extent of this calamity, suppose, for one moment, that one of the horrible al-- ternatives ofiered to the population of this fair and flourishing county, were removal to new and uncultured abodes beyond the Mississippi. Reflect upon the miseries of’ leaving behind all that the heart holds dear--the comforts, delights and enjoy- ments of what. they hadralways called their home;—surrounded by all those fond associations, belonging to the sports of child» hood, the pursuits of manly years, the reflections of’ old age and the graves of kindred! Who does not shudder at the contempla- tion of a fate so dreadful! i Thesophistry, that ‘blinds the conscience, was busy in the justification of this measure. It was said to be expedient that this should be done, that it was strange and unexarnpled that , one nation should exist within another; that it was very incon-« rvenient, veryembarrassing. I Want" words fitly to stigmatize such reasoning! It is that of all wholesale robbers, from the a "beginning of Time. The partitioningapowers felt embarrassed, »’eecause Poland was entire. The evolutionists in France l ‘l were embarrassed by the proximity of’ the I-Ielvetic Union; and embarrassed by the liberties of Belgium and Venice, forthwith disburdened those powers of immunities so trifling! Have the actors in this transaction so far lost sight of its enor- mity, as to imagine that, though now the spirit of this country may not denounce or rebuke it, history and after time will be silent? Can they hope ,,tfo1',iimp.unity from foreign nations ; or suppose the world will acquiesce in this outrage on the liber- ties of man! VVe trust all are not lost to these sensibilities; and that some redeeming spirit will atone for a disgrace so igno- minious to the reputation of a free people. The period of this transaction not unnaturally suggests other acts of the same administration, under which this transpired, which may illustrate our position; Will you bear with me, while I advert to the character of that administration, now displaced by its successor, and ask with me, where is to be found, in our national annals, a more single eyed regard to the dignity and interests of this country‘; a more considerate, watcliiiil, and statesman like course of action? 'When there was less occasion for censure or complaint? But against that administration what elements of resistance were not arrayed! resolved, in its own daring language, to “put down that administration, though pure as the angels, that stand at the right hand ol‘G~ocl”! Shall we rejoice in the result, that ele- vated him, who glories in wearing the frontlet of refbran? BE~ l‘«‘C,)RI.\’l' 3--—it a word of clieerful meaning’; almost invariably of rnagic influence. Iieforni and revolution are popular epithets, which, though real patriots may sometimes use, spurious patriots do not always spurn. But do I see reform in a multitude of perversely discriminated retrievals ti-oin office, under. the mis- used principle of rotation? Do I hear it in the exclamation that the sovereign will “reward his fiiends and piunish his ene- mies ?” Must I call that,rcf'orm,vvhich continues and even creates oflices for the gratification of a man or a party, and not for the benefit ofthe people? Must I countenance so great abreach of every liberty, breathed from the great charter of our rights and glory in the act as a measure ofgood to my country ; and shall 1, without a murmur, submit to a system, that creates and organizes bands of oflice seekers, often least fitted for the offices theyseek; with Whom country means office, patriotism means pay; eager and ready to foment strife at every defeat in their projects? I cannot disguise my sentiments; and will not with»- hold their expression; the policy is pregnant with injustice; with present mischief and with final ruin. , i f I j The indications, I have pointed out, seem to me visible also in that denial, or distrust of fundamental.» principles, which it should be our pride to veneratc and cherish. The national judiciary is assailed in certain sections, with a directness and vehernence, that denotes the deadliest animosity. That, which has been aptly termed‘ the “sheet anchor of our constitution”; the tinal, the most rational and practicable, resort, for the settlement of differences between sovereignties, like ours, , has been branded with ignorniny, as a foul engine of persecution. IE2 and oppression. A fresh doctrine--unauthorized by the consti» ution; unknown toourtheory of government; the doctrine of State Conventions is assiduously taught, with a boldness and zeal that must tend to consequences the most fatal and most deplorable. Again,another doctrine 3-—-'-—1nore noxious still ;------which has been called treason in a colder clime; receives the sanction of distin- guished authority in the same section; the doctrine that -‘ it is time to calculate the value of this Union.” Sentiments like these, from far weightier cause, once suspected here, have con-— signed, almost to infamy, some of the brightest names, on the page of our history; and shall we rest unmoved now? Unmoved! Alas, how much farther can recreancy go! Are there not those, among ourselves, in New England; among those even who loudest proclaim the purity of their patriotism; are there not those, who toil to invent matters of excuse and justification, for those‘ who, in preaching up treason, fail not to load with rep- robation, the character and history of New England’? And in doingthis, to what base instrurnents, to what foul arts will they notdescendt W11en,‘in execution of their purpose, have they I1Qt,Cl1SCi'hal1‘g'GCl. their ven,orn,,,on those sons of a New England, who are the supportfand glory of their home! And where, in the calumnies of the South, will you find a blacker spirit, than darkens the lijbellsfiof the North? lW'itness the trials, “encountered by the noble champion of our Constitution, in his efforts to lay the foul spirit of anarchy and rnisrule. He, who towers so far above his fellows; in prof'ound- ness of intellect, in majesty of eloquence,unnnatched 3 who has explored, to the bottom, the foundations; and traced, with uner-A ring eye, every line of division, in the structure of our govern- ment; who has placed his broad shoulders against its walls and buttresses with the strength, but not the purpose, of the mighty man of old 5 to isustain and not to overthrow ; i he isindeed “ a broad’ and shining marlc”!r But faction will in vain essay to t penetrate the mail that guards this honor 5 in vain may she hope ttoltltie him, hair by hair to the ground, Where there isnone first to lay him prostrate! , , w or w pp N or is Wmsm: exposed, alone, to buffet this storm of abuse and c‘al'u;1nny.. , “Another, shining in hisown sphere, with a lust- tre, rivalling that of this kindred su‘fFerer; distinguished for the breadth of an "intellect, lfraughtwith stores of rich and fruitful informaftion; who showed, in boyhood, the maturityof riper years, ‘and, having exhausted the means of liberal learning at home, applied to the resources, offered by foreign lands, and there ~ ‘ “ drew the inspiring breath of ancient arts S And trod the sacred wa1ks,_ _, Where, at each step, imagination burns !’,’ "re_turn.ing,witl1 tlielsame lioveiof liberty, the same just views of‘ social order, by which he was ever animated and informed ; who has, with apure ambition,‘ devoted his ipowerslto the service of his country; and, having contributed to give her a name in 'let—- ters, now labors to diffuse her reputation in policy; he, also, has suffered his full measure of reprobation, from that party rnalevo- is lence, which spares not that genius and those virtues, in EVEm :as'1"1‘, by which itself was never spared. In thus referring to circumstances, sliowing the mischief and malignancy of that party spirit, which disligures the times, I must not be accused of a desire to foment needlessptjealousies between brethren; least of i all shall I be rebuked f'orT’chastising that craven temper, which, to propitiate a foreign section of a country, degrades and vilifies its own. N 0 section of this coun-. try is bound to stand with folded arms, and witness the destruc- tionof its interests and mutilation of its character, without a mur- mur ofremonstrance 3 without expressing at least a sense of the injury. Nor ouglit we without scorn and indignation, to regard that libeller, who would strike his fangs into the bosom, that has warmed him ; and cover with pollution the pillars, that sustain and ornament our character. , Again, in alluding to an event, that has excited a neighboring State of great magnitude and populousness, I am aware, that I venture on a theme of some delicacy, and shall observe becom-» l1‘l,g'CirCumS1)OCtl0n. That event;-—~the strange and sudden dis- appearance ot’ a citizen, under the protection of our Iaws;—-«--it is not wonderful, it any virtue were yet left anions; us, occasioned a sensation ‘bl’ alarm, and ezrcited a spirit of enquiry. That, on the one hand, these elements ofour nature and habits;-—--a hor- ror at the suspicion of murder, cloaked in mystery; and a shock, at the blow inflicted on the ‘freedom of our institutions---have, by (l€3£E3lg'I1ll,1gIl1Cl'1, been perverted to party purposes, is most truly and sadly undeniable ; nor can it be denied, on the other, that, in many instances, too much coldness has been mariifested toward even, the slightest enquiry ; too much careless theed, giveu to calurnnies, clesigned to blaoken the motives of any who might ventureuto suggest it. For who can doubt there have been many desirous of sti,g;n'1atieirig an act so abhorrent, and l'l’t"tOl1’lg out its true causes, from the purest ptirposesgmthe warmest philanthropy and patriotism ; , the truest regard for the character of our country, the majesty of its laws and the welfare ol’ the people? And who can doubt that the distrust and cold- mrssw-—_~tl'1e general apathy-—by which their Increments may have been encountered; united to that supine incliffercnce to misw representations that may have maligned their character and wounded their interests, must seriously deter any disinterested efforts to maintain the cause of public morals, and the liberty ot‘ the citizen? If’ we expect, we may expect in vain, the boldness and seltidenial ot‘VViclclifYe, Knox, or Luther, in every age,,; nor should we check cautious, moderate and timely vinteifferw ” ence, till the presence of such men is made necessary: for it proves that the symptoms of distemper have been fatally neg-— lected till the crisis has come. i The vast alarm fire, blazing on some rugged height, While it shows that the ordinary beacons are too faint to be of service, warn us, too, that the tempest has deepened in blackness, and the flood risen in its might. It’, in the last case, the general apathy may be observed as ind,il"l'erent to nioverrielxits ofbenelicial tendency, it may again be observed as leading to others, whose results cannot be too much 14 deprecated. I allude to the doctrines and labors of, in the lan—~ guage ofa popular poet, that “unsexed_tl1ing,” who yvould de- molish pillar and foundation of our political and social fabric. Wlithout stopping to dwell upon the extraordinary benefits, conferred upon the human race, through the Christian dispen—~ sation, and the fatal consequences to society, from the general spread of unbelief, truths which have been irrefutably estab- lished by arguments drawn from reason, experience and history;‘ all of which, however, she boldly impugns, shutting up at once the chief sources of our faith 3 it is enough to Say that she in- sidiously assails institutions, coevalwith our race ; in all times and ainong all nations, supposed to enter largely into the very cement of society. That she is heard and applauded gthronged by crowds of listeners, and followed by disciples, evinces some- thing more than mere love of excitement, or admiration ofgenius. "With her, Vice, so far from laeiiig that “monster of hideous mien,” assumes often such angel Witchery, as demands the most watchful jealousy to resist her approaches,and repel her dalliance. “to And it is much to be apprehendecl that we do notfully realise or heed that habitual surrender of sentiment, that is continually rnultiplyiiig the victims of error and c1‘ime, l r l i t Inthus ve1~ifyingindications, not of the liveliest augtiry, I i trust I share only inthat solicitude, becorning all, who are sen- sible to the welfare of our institutions and the prosperity of the nation. It is true, we may and ought, on this day more espe- cially, to rejoice in those blessings of liberty and security, of progress and improvement, yet vouchsafed to us with liberal hand ; but we ouglit surely to be no less mindful of whatever may affect the stability of those e11joyrnents;w-<)f' whatever may impair their only tenure---the purity of public morals. We ought surely to do this, not simply in consideration of its im- portance to our own Welfare, believing the government of this country to be the last---most perfect experiment on political in- stitutions ; but we should do it, moreover, to preserve one great andillustrious example, to teach the world that man has the 7 moral power to govern himself. ‘ Unhappily, thus far, the real ‘ _ sources of our strength, the conditions of our progress,‘ have been misapprehended by those, who have essayed the great ”stru,ggle forreform. Supposing that, with new forms and new ‘rulers, a new spirit would come to inhabit those forms and in-— spire those rulers ; it was often forgotten at the scene of the l expeitirnent, that the people could know liberty only in licen- tiousness. That great moral power-—derived from the subjec- tionof the passions and illumination of the rnind,---seems to have formed no element in the calculations of most revolutionists.-—-—~ The result is"'1nlot surprising, France, Spain, Italy, and South , ,i<~Americ‘a;,,,ha,ye passed through the fires ofrevolt, only to be CliS-.*' , llrtrjacted by.,,;;ada1'cl1y or oppressed by despotism.“ Let not then ‘rt*l1e“,lditsrupt,,i=¢\;n1 of those ties, that bindns together, add one more i —-therr’stadd$“stione.of all—-——to the darkcatalogue of nations ruined throtrghpresumptuous hopes and careless fears 5 let not the over- throW_0f our institutions gladden the hearts and strengthen the ,hands'l of those enemies of human freedom, who, l’1aving watched nithiexultation, the prostration of hope, in“ the old world yearn, (L1. ‘l 5 for its prostration in the new. Nor would this be all. "l‘he, friends of liberty 3 the reforrnere ofthe race ; the advocates; of truth and virtue, sinking in despair, would to teach a free» clom, too pure for the enjoyment or app1'eheneion'ot' the world at large. And, inall this, we would not be supposed to intimate that prostration of principle is universal 3 that the prevalence ot'low, selfisl1 and narrovv views is entire. We may easily cliecern the partial operation of principles that need only to be clifliueed :, We have at hand great moral engines, thatrequire only to be multiw plied and st1'en,o,'tl1o11ed, with a clear diece'1°ntnent oi" the cvileto he assailed. We have, too, many minde of lofty reach ;-mopen to the most generoue irnpuleee of philanthropy and patriotiem;~—-- capable of large sacrifices for the general g;ood:,---«we lrave hearts, among; us, expanclirig with the purest "benevolence ; burning with avreetleee desire to promote the happiness oftnan. We may trace a melioration of sentiment in those operatione~ ofkindneee and hurnanity, that apt-itrig from tne various inetitu- tione ofreligion, benevolence and economy, which adorn our times. Theeeare the dcvivcee and improvements of a recent day. In those ancient 1*cpuhl:i,ce, ct'ten pro'fl"'ered without clie- icrimination, rnodele, r;leeo1-vingf our approval and imitation, we hear no mention oftheee. A.n;x'ir;l 'l”orrx‘1e, :-3oum;le and eoilcnre, whose beauty bewitclied the eeriaea ; where ecnlpture, rnuaie, poetry and painting; attained their highest exaltation;—-—-wl;'xere eloquence breathed lhrtlzi etraiua of ur‘n"r1at:elm<:l power and sub» limity ; the heat atI’eetiot1e;—--tzlie r.nos:~:t e<:>tte1*1in,g;;, the moat purl»- fying;--mtvere eu'tl*'ered to run to rvaete. ~VVhere, but in our day, do we findthoee aeeoeiationa ot'eharit:y that look carefully into the Wants ot the ti-iencflleea and -the deetitute; tl*1oeo cornhina- tione of benevolence, that seek‘ the prisoner in lite cell and whie-e per hope to the deepati1*irig ; thoee bande ol"1'eli,g*io11, zealous to illuminc the world iteell'With civili:r.at:ion and chri:-:-stianity! Tltieee mutual aeeociationa, dictated by ti'iend.ehip and religion 1f'10lJU’lSl1 the truest atl‘eetior1e and raiee man. in the eet.imation of his fellow man. The heart ie touched ; and, when that is open to purifying influences, the Work of human freedom and human happineee ieaccoinplielied. The intellect may he cnliglitened by all the lore of ancient and ofrnodern daye ; it may c:lieeour.=se most wisely upon theories of benevolence, and experi.1*neritei11 virtue ;—-——-it may exhibit the charms of‘ literature or unfold the mysteries of ecienee ; yet he ltintouchecl by a eingle fellow feel- ing for the rights or interests of a fellow creature. Hie clairne it may reject with all the arrogance »lof'eelt'-satie"l‘ied euperiority. Wliat is called purely literary eociety ie for froxn l:)eing the most happy, or meet enviable. The remark; is cornmon, that no society was ever more venecl by tyrannical paeeione of‘ a petty nature, than the merely literary eociety of Paris, before the Revolution. And the assertion may he ventured, that most of that society would have played the part of a tyrant on a larger 1 theatre, with all the relish of a Nero or Napoleon. But solor1gI;as there a diflerencet hetvveen Intellect :fper- vetted and ntelleot improved, so long rnt1etil