YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

3 9002 05350 1806

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

1942

ORATION DELIVERED AT
MOUNT AARON, IN WEST DEDHAM
i
JULY 4, 1839
ET INVITATION OF CITIZENS OF WtST DIDHlJiy WALPOLE AND DOTE
if jiTiin-tir*BTrt:4ST,",Ei,-* -•*¦¦
\
Published by request ofthe Committee.
I
SECOND EDITION.

DEDHAM )
-H. MANN'S PRES8-
1839. 1

SONG^-Bt Thomas Paine.
FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY.
Tune^Ride Brittannia."
Hail! great Repvjbjjp^of the world,
The rising empire of the west;
Where fam'd Columbus' mighty mind inspired,
Gave tortured Europe scenes of rest!
"*~~ CHORUS.
Be thou for ever great, for ever great and free,
The land of love and liberty.
Beneath thy spreading mantle vine,
Beside thy flowej^-groves and springs,
And on thy lofty/thy lofty 'mountains' brow,
May all thy sons and fair ones sing,
Be thou for ever great, &c.

Be thou for ever great, See.
Let laureats sing their birth-day odes,
Or how that death, like thunders, hurl'd ;
'Tis ours the charter, the charter ours alone
To sing the birth-day of a world.
Be thou forever great, &c.
May ages, as they rise, proclaim
The glories of thy natal day;
And restless Europe, from thy example learn
To live, to rule, and to obey.
Be thou for ever great, &c.

ORA T I O N

Fellow Citizens,
We this day assemble to celebrate the joyous birth of our
nation. Three score years and three have rolled away, since
our immediate forefathers proclaimed to the world that they were
a free and independent people, and pledged their lives and their ,
sacred honors, and appealed to heaven for the rectitude of their
intentions, to support it. But since that day rivers of blood have
flowed, and thousands have died, yearnljions, in the cause of
liberty, ancTlt might be politically saiajhat a nation was. bora ih
a day. i
She was not laid in the swaddling bands of time, nor rocked in
the cradle of national solicitude. But she burst the bands of
colonial servitude, and took her stand airjong the nations of the
earth. And kings and princes greeted) her coming. All the
knowing ones, and wiseacres, and philosophers, hailed the new
born nation as the joy of the earth, the) glory ofthe skies.
But, my fellow citizens, but lew were partakers of that dread
ful morning of the 19th of April, 1775. In Lexington the first
blood was shed for the cause of our pommon country and the
good' of mankind, and done by a savage king and a savage mer
cenary soldiery. Thus began the horrid work of death and dis
traction. And then was heard the horrid sound of battle on the
fair plains of Lexington, which echoed from hill to mountain
throughout the length and breadth of 'the land. And then was
heard the cry of the orphan. and the widow's wail; one for a
father and the other for a husband slain in battle by the savage

4
soldiery; and thus was th*-peaceful village turned into a field of
blood. But vengeance was on the wing. All the country was
in arms, and soon had the enemy to scamper, and to leave their
dead unburied. Yes, Brifish regulars had to flee before a hand
ful ofthe sons of liberty; and that too with great loss, and to the
astonishment ofthe British governor Gage, who cried out in the
anguish of his spirit — What! Britton's run!! Yes! British reg
ulars flee like Milton's Sofans!!
But this was but the beginning ofthe glorious warfare which
lasted seven years. And next comes the 17th of June, 1775, the
ever memorable battle of-Bunker Hill. The British troops were
led on by Lord Howe, with all the pomp and parade of monar
chy. A numerous host of British regulars, all thirsting for the
blood of freemen. Our fathers were led by the bold Putnam and
the gallant Warren. And now front to front the marching ar
mies shine. Halt — here they meet and form the lengthening
line. The chiefs conspicuous seen and heard afar, give the loud
sign to loose the rushing war. Their direful trumpets and deep
mouthed cannon sound; the sounding charge remorseless strews
the ground. Even Jove proclaims a field of horror nigh,
And rolls low thunder through the troubled sky.
Yes, a field of horror nigh. Behold the savage work now be
gan, which was acted on the plains of Lexington. Bunker's fair
hill in Charlestown, now the arena ofthe horrid fight. And
now behold a fair village wrapped in flames. See the smoke
curling, air ascend. Hear the confused noise of confused war
riors; some scour the narrow streets and some the wide. Fire
and sword now lays a peaceful village in ashes, and the labors of
many a dreadful day gone like the baseless vision of a dream.
And now a sacrifice was required for the cause of liberty, that
not all the flocks that follow the tinkling bell, nor all the cattle of
a thousand hills can furnish. Nothing but the best blood of its
inhabitants, and the sons of fr eemen, must be sacrificed on the
altars of liberty.
I have been particular in citing these two actions, because
they were the beginning of the great and glorious revolution
that not only laid the foundation for the liberties of our common
country, but the good of mankind throughout the world.

When the recruited fleets and hostile armies were gathering
round our coasts, numerous and destructive as the locusts, pitch
ing their camps at a hazard, but deliberately plotting chastise
ment and vengeance for the rising states— while the mandates of
a king held in servitude and terror and anxiety, the children of
the emigrants ofthe old world. Then liberty, indignant, repel
led, in scorn, this gasconade of chivalry.
" When the eye. of the immortal Washington, lightened along
the embattled ranks" of the American legions, determined to
conquer or to die. Liberty was the coat of mail; the shield of
protection; the encouragement to action, and their only physi
cal strength.
When Jefferson, Franklin, Hancock, Paine, and the other
illustrious chieftains ofthe states, in Congress assembled, delib
erated, penned, and confirmed the Declaration of our Indepen
dence, pledging by sanctions most solemn and inviolable, " their
lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor." Then was liberty
" by them as one brought up with them; daily their delight and
rejoicing always," in approbation of all their honorable transac
tions. When at last the Temple of Freedom was reared and comple
ted, the altar raised in solemn devotion. Peace within its walls.
In every niche the heroes' fame, in all iis alcoves the suspended
arms and eagles of our country. Multitudes thronging within to
shout the triumphs of her victory, in grai\d celebration. Nations
surrounding and admiring the resplendant and glorious scene
Behold, enthroned in the midst of the happy worshippers, is the
bright goddess, sweet liberty. Nor bittle-axe, or spear, or
shield, or helmet now — these lie secure within the archives of
the altar, the key of which is worn upon her bosom. In easy,
elegant attire, loosely flowing, in the negligence and magnifi
cence of stripes and stars. She appears, — smiles — speaks — ex
ults with all the children of her maternal love, while all triumph
antly rejoice, praising the ever good] and gracious Power, that
gives their valued, their inestimable bjessings.
There, under the caption of libertyi on the one hand, are in
scribed the articles of Constitution, thfe national compact and the
Union ofthe States; on the other — the Rights of Man, the laws
of the Republic and our social blessings. Books, port-foliqs,
state-papers, records and memorials fill the area-perspective.'*

6
Here are recorded, acclaiming precedence, the names of
Boston, Charlestown, Lexington, Concord, New York, White
Plains, Bennington, Saratoga, Long-Island, Trenton, Princeton,
Monmouth, Philadelphia, Brandywine, Camden, Charleston, Sa
vannah, Yorktown, &c. with manly naval actions. There (as a
recent inscription) Plattsburg, Sackett's Harbor, Niagara and
Fort George, York, Queenstown, Chippewa, Bridgwater, Erie
and Champlain, New-Lowlon, Stoninglon, Norfolk, and Balti
more, and New Orleans, with a long catalogue of naval victo
ries, displaying the honored names of Hull, Bainbridge, Porter,
Jones, Decatur, Rodgere, Burrows, Lawrence, Perry, M'Do-
nough, Stewart, — but I pause, for what a host of worthies might
be singled and recited, from Montgomery the hero of '75, at the
walls of Quebec to the hero of New Orleans, during the exact
period of forty years of our recorded history. Well may you
1 judge the grand Temple of Freedom, thus richly and superbly
decorated with innumerable inscriptions, monuments of fame,
and laurel wreaths of glory, merits, as it commands, the admira
tion ofthe world.
Conspicuous in our national annals, in the great work of legis
lation, and in the conservation of our liberties, are the venerable
names of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe,
successively the presidents over a great, free and happy people,
honored with their free suffrages, and in consequence more hon*
orable than kings; for diadems and thrones and hereditary peer
age, bear no comparison to the merit, and worth, and virtue,
which elevate to this distinction and supremacy. Junius Brutus
would not envy a Tarquin, or a Cassar! Aristides would not
covet the glory of an Alexander. The virtuous save and bless —
Tyrants oppress and destroy their country.
In this brief allegory, curiosity may trace the scenes of revo
lution, and the great outline of British and American Tiistory.
Here would I rest; but that an aged veteran gave a strong
interest and pathos to the subject, by marking more distinctly
each progressive event. With bleached locks, he was sitting at
the foot of a decaying oak, emblematic ofthe man, bowed down
with the weight of years. He was resting on his staff with one
hand, and in the other, holding a Pension Certificate. His chil
dren were about him. A smile seated on his fearless brow, in
dicated much happiness and gratefulness, to be remembered and

to be rewarded. "I have from my youth, said he (like Caius
Marius) been familiar with toils and dangers. I was faithful to
your interests, my countrymen, when I served you for no reward,
but that of honor." He was a veteran soldier ofthe Revolution]
and fought in seven distinct battles. With exquisite feeling, he
spoke of Bunker's Hill, of Warren, of General Putnam,S'and
the distinguished revolutionary officers, Gates, Greene, Lincoln,
Knox, Starks, and the brave Kosciusco, — of him particularly
who was "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of
his countrymen." For a moment, the freshness of youth seemed
to pass over his frame. His eye sparkled with pleasure, and an
unusual flush glowed on his cheek. It was the effect of sensi
bility. He began his narration.
Three wars (said he) within my remembrance have afflicted
this young country. The first in 1756, for the English against
the French. It terminated in 1759, with the victory of General
Wolfe over General Montcalm, on the plains of Abraham. The
cession of all the Canadas to the British was in 1760, and the
definitive treaty of Paris in 1763. Thence various prosperity
and adversity attended the Colonies til] the year 1775. From
that time during eight years, the revolutionary war continued.
Our Independence was declared July 4, 1776. In an arduous
struggle, it was maintained, and finally achieved, and the war
ended glorious to our country, in the year 1783. On the third
day of September of that eventful year, ^as the ratification of
the definitive treaty of peace and amity between Great Britain,
France, Spain, and the United States of America.
Commerce then revived, spreading its white wings, on every
ocean, to every port. Agriculture prospered. Manufactures
increased. The Mechanic Arts progressed. Our Country was
free, and our citizens were blest and happy. The Constitution,
a noble structure, raised pillar after fjillar during 1787, was
adopted in 1788. !
April 6, 1789, George Washington was chosen first President
of these United States. An epocha, with circumstances most
memorable. It being the organization lof a great republic, and
the commencement of a nation's history. John Adams was
elected president in 1797 — Thomas Jefferson 1801 — James Mad
ison in 1809 — (exactly 200 years from the first settlement ofthe

United States) — and Jamos Munroe in 1817, within three years
of completing two centuries, from the landing of our forefathers
at Plymouth.
Our Republic has generally prospered during these successive
administrations, (casualties excepted,) and within a half century
has become an extensive Empire.
Various aggravated offences, against the peace and dignity of
our common Country, by~Great Britain; the infringement of our
national rights; the orders of Council; and especially the illegal
and abusive impressment of our hardy seamen, were the causes
ofthe last war of two and a half years' duration, from the eight
eenth of June, 1812.
The circumstances of this war are familiarly known; of our
glorious triumphs, by sea and by land; and ofthe bravery of our
troops and seamen. All — all deservingly honoured by their
Country. [Here he paused — looked at his Certificate, and dropped a
tear of gratitude. He seemed in deep reflection — the work of
half a century was passing in review before him. He said some
thing of St. Clair — of soldier's notes — of disbanding the army —
of fears and hopes — and finally of national credit and honor.
When speaking of the times, the name of Monroe was uttered
with 'Benediction. Then brightening from his reverie, he re
sumed his story, and went on.]
The names of our Naval and Military heroes merit everlasting
honor. Pike, Barney, Jackson, Harrison, Brown, Scott, Gaines,
M'Coomb, Croghan, Jessup, Ripley, Miller and numerous oth
ers shall be gratefully remembered. Enwreathed with glory,
shall be their columns, in the temple of liberty, for services so
essential and efficient, rendered their Country, in the hour of her
adversity. Peace has now returned to cheer and bless the
world. Under kind Heaven may we long enjoy, its blessings.
Under the auspices of the Prince of Peace, may we ever be a
united, free, grateful and happy people. Palsied be the hand —
or single, or in Convention, that shall attempt to sever the gor-
dian knot of our Union!
The history of our republic is brightened with great achieve
ments. Our rights are now secured almost beyond the reach of
violation — our demands granted with ample satisfaction — our flag
honored with proud distinction. Our hopes and prospects are

9
this day most flattering. Be our joys expressed by brilliant
spectacles — sound of cannon, beat of drum, and grand parade,
throughout our happy land.
A venerable personage has said, "This day ought to be com
memorated as the day of our deliverance, by solemn acts of de
votion to Almighty God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp,
shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations,
from one end of the continent to the other, from this time for
ward forever." Let us thus rejoice reciprocally together, as the
honored citizens of a greatly honored Country. May our exer
tions and loyalty, our profession and principles, our patriotism
and our duty, be ever in mutual and just correspondence — then
"As he tills his rich glebe,
The brave vet'ran shall tell,
While his bosom, with gratitude, glows,
How your Warren expired,
How Montgomery fell,
And how Washington conquer'd your foes."
He finished by observing —
In the celebration of our Independence, think not to mark the
veriest faults of the times; it is uncandid., unseasonable, and in
excusable. Attempt no wit, at the expense of wisdom. Forget
not the occasion. Be patriotic. Speak of no man, no meas
ures, no party, no topic, but The Day, and the great national
concerns and important benefits, which it commemorates.
Revert to the year 1776, and a long time before. Pass on, in
the series of years, to 1812, and some time after — and note the
different stages of British insolence and aggression; for as one
justly said, they never have, they never will forgive us, the im
puted SIN of Independence.
Call to mind the persecutions, dangers, sufferings, hardships
and calamities of those "times that tried men's souls." Think
ofthe privations and the perils, the merciless savages and the
accursed prison ships; the barbarous insults and the immolated
victims, worthy of a better fate; and the treachery, caprice and
cruelty of the enemy — and if you can, magnanimously forgive
them. Remember those who planted the standard of freedom, in the
midst of all those overwhelming dangers and difficulties. Guar-
2

10
dian angels hovered around it and wifh the tears of commisera
tion, converted its blood spots, into stars of glory! The hand of
the Almighty is visible in our deliverance. Let us then rightly
estimate, and duly appreciate the religious privileges, the civil
immunities and the political blessings, we now enjoy; and do
honor to the Giver, by cherishing piety, morality, virtue and
education, as the four cardinal points of all our moral responsi
bilities; and more, — when we extend our views to Europe and
the wide world around, and observe how toleration, and peace,
and improvement, and happiness, are spreading and increasing
all their estimable blessings. This day should be to us, and to
our children, a day of praise and joy and thanksgiving, to the
Great Disposer of all 'human events; the Great Ruler of the
destinies ofthe world, who has redeemed, and will save his peo
ple. Here ended the recital, and his pathetic admonitions,
with the blessings ofthe good old man, on the present genera
tion, and his Country.
Fellow Citizens,
Having generously enlightened the minds of your children,
with useful knowledge. Teach them wisdom, piety and moral
principle. Fit them for the employments and honors worthy of
your distinguished Country. Instruct them in national sentiment
and national sympathies. Bind their heart's affections to the
public good by patriotism, and enlarge their minds by a display
of the general and varied polity of the world. Learn them to
venerate those principles of virtue and education, on which rest
the liberties* and safety and hopes and happiness of our Republic.
Cherish an ambition in their young hearts to emulate the glori
ous deeds of their fathers. Often repeat to them the history of
your nation, the nature of your excellent government, constitu
tion, policy, religion and laws. Win them by fanciful descrip
tion, and inform them by plain narration. Describe to them the
circumstances of the times long past, even from your boyish
days, and awaken an interest in the virtues and glory of the age
preceding, and so retrospectively to the earliest settlements of
your country, and even to the memorable 1492, the era of Co
lumbus, and the discovery of this new world. On such a day as
this invigorate their hopes, and cheer their emulation. Inspire
them with gratitude to Heaven, for all their manifold benefits,

. 11
and passing the great and interesting events of the Revolution
before them, leave them the injunction to teach their children,
and they the next generation, the duties, which they, in conse
quence, owe to themselves, their country and their God.
Fathers, With deference, I would speak to you; it is my duty; we live
this day to honor you, in the commemoration of your great
achievements and virtues. In the early circumstances of the
Revolution, you were without means, destitute of arms, camp-
equipage, necessary rations and clothing, or even powder and
ball sufficient to annoy the wolves of your forests. Without dis
cipline, or funds or friends, and almost without hope. Your en
emy, formidable in numbers, skilful Jn arms, rich in resources,
haughty, fastidious, and imperious, leading the destinies of all
Europe. Claiming your obedience and submission, while every
act of yours — of disaffection and resistance was considered as
high treason against majesty. You were threatened, insulted,
outraged, tortured, with insufferable insolence, to humble your
proud spirits, and by the magic of royal names and terms to. hold -
you spell-bound and enchained, in perpetual, colonial humilia
tion. Through all these discouragements you rose, like Charity
itself, " suffering long.and bearing all. things; "vy«t bidding defi
ance to a world in arms, you then laid the grand foundations of
Empire. The loans, forces, aids and encouragements supplied
from abroad are gratefully remembered. See now in a right
eous cause, and trusting in Heaven, what can be done, by a de
termined few, against the mighty. The mailed giant" despised
the ruddy youth of David; but only with a sling and a pebble
stone, in the name of the Lord of HostSj he brought to the earth
this great champion ofthe Philistines.
What a contrast is this day presented in your free republican
government, in your vast resources and great population,. your
cleared and cultivated country, magnificent cities and immense
shipping. Your arts, sciences, institutions, increasing revenues
of wealth and innumerable advantages, spreading' from the Co
lumbia to the Chesapeake — from the Lakes to the Gulf, from
St. Croix to the Rio Bravo, and from the Yellow Stone to Pen
sacola.

12
I cannot yet forbear. The theme is too interesting. I call
on the Youth, the hope and pride of their country, the children
of veteran and illustrious fathers. I call on them this day to re
joice with us manfully, in a fair estimation of their numerous
privileges and blessings — to contrast slavery with liberty, igno
rance with education, humiliation with honor, superstition with
devotion, tyranny with their constitutional rights, the abasement
cf three quarters of the world with their pre-eminence, and the
condition of the human race, with the glory of their Republic.
Let them be engaged in these reflections, these liberal and fruit
ful studies, till we shall meet again.
Let us, then, Fellow Citizens, consecrate the remainder of
this solemn day, to the grateful recollections it inspires. Let us
answer the prayers, sent forth on this occasion, by the sons of
liberty, in the different quarters ofthe earth, by a renewal ofthe
oath which bound together our devoted bands, in the darkest
period of the revolution.
Time, which is rapidly rolling forward the great events which
mark the character of our age, may yet witness the entire re
demption of the human family. Our anniversary may yet be
come the Sabbath of a political millennium. The period may
yet arrive, hastened on by our example, when man shall not fall
down to worships his own image, in 'the shape of despots and
kings; when Peace, with her horn of plenty, shall extend over
the earth; when the clarion shall no more awaken the steel-clad
warrior; when the sound ofthe drum and trumpet shall cease to
create the mournful associations of war and death; b«t shall be
exchanged for the softer notes of mirth and joy. Our fathers
are gone! they have fulfilled the obligations they assumed. The
unimpaired legacy is ours. On us devolves the duty of trans
mitting it to after ages. Let us not be recreant to our trust.
Let us add to the precious inheritance, the achievements of vir
tue and of science, that each successive generation may hail,
with redoubled acclamation, the annual return of this: auspicious
day, down to^he latest period of time.