YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

Mohardson, Joseph.
Oration, delivered in the South Parish, in Weymouth, .*.
Hiagham,1828«

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ORATION,

BEI.IVERED IN THE

SOTTTH PAE.ISH, IH TTEYMOTJTH,
JUIiY 4, 1828.

BEING THE

iFttts-Setonif ^nniijtxn^vn

AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.

BY JOSEPH RICHARDSON.

PXTBLISHED BY REftXTEST OF THE COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENT/S.
HINGHAM,
PRESS OF FARMER AND BROWN.
1828.

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ORATION.

Forever hallowed be the day that gave Inde
pendence and Liberty to these United States.
Forever hallowed be the day when God gave to
the representatives of the people of these States
energy and courage to declare their freedom from
colonial bondage, and their determination to set
before the world the example of a Republican gov
ernment. Forever hallowed be the day when the
principles of devotion to the cause of liberty and to
the rights of men triumphed over arbitrary power.
Our fathers were not born free, but they had vir
tue and energy of character to throw off the yoke
of their bondage. The invaluable blessings pur
chased by the revolution have descended to us.
We have the proud and happy reflection that ive
were born free. With joy does the venerable
sire, who lives to see this day, behold the children
whom his own valour has crowned with this hon
our. With what veneration do children thus hon
oured look upon their faithful sires and remember

the daring spirit with which they trod the fields of
desolation, and suffered the calamities of a war of
eight years, rather than bow to the degradation of
subjects of arbitrary power. Well may the anni
versary of our Independence be hailed with univer
sal joy. That great achievement has already given
freedom and happiness to many millions. This
anniversary during more than half a century has
been the inspiring theme of the patriotic and the
eloquent. Around the altar of our country, genius
and taste and science and religion have delighted
oft to come with their brightest garlands and most
sacred offerings. >Here gratitude pours forth her
richest incense to the God of our fathers ; to Him
who espoused their cause when they were few in
numbers and unskilled in war, and when the power
that rose against them was great in resources and
unrivalled in arms. The origin, the unequal cir
cumstances, the progress, the duration, the results
of the contest for Independence are witnesses, that
it is no mere illusion that has taken possession
of our bi;easts.
Here are yet living tvitnesses to the fact, that
the Independence of our country was gained, not
by accidental expressions of enthusiasm in the
cause of liberty, but by a deliberate and fixed and
persevering determination not to submit to the
injuries and insults of British power and pride, —
not to be slaves.

Our fathers were a generation accustomed to
patient and laborious industry. Although the
great body of them had but slender advantages for
literary or scientific acquirements, many facts show
that they were accustomed to deep thought and
to an extensive forecast respecting the interests of
their country and the prospects of their children.
They saw that at some period there must be a tre
mendous struggle, or their children must continue
forever to be mere "hewei-s of wood and drawers
of water," to the very power that their fathers had
braved all dangers and hardships to escape. Grat
itude and veneration and every sacred principle
bound them to fulfil the intentions and hopes of
their ancestors.
For a long time the people had witnessed the
determination of Great Britain, to use her own
language, "to check the growth and prosperity of
the colonies, lest they should throw off their de
pendence, if not curbed in time." The pride of
power and a mercenary ambition prompted the
monarch and his ministers to many unnatural
deeds, and to an entire policy which all ingenuous
minds must deem farthest from magnanimity. "I
must maintain," said a ministerial leader in the
House of Lords, in the debate of the 26th Octo
ber, 1775, on the King's Speech, — "that it would
have been better that America had never been
known, than that a great consolidated empire
should exist independent of Great Britain."

6
Such was the spirit and such the character of
the power against which our fathers were com
pelled by a sense of duty to the memory of those
who had lived before them and to the welfare of
those who should come after them, to wage war,
determined on "victory or death." By many in
valuable lives and costly sacrifices victory was
purchased. Many of that illustrious race have
lived long to witness results of that contest far
more glorious than the most sanguine could have
anticipated. The high purpose pursued by the
pious pilgrims, unawed by the frowns of earthly
power, or by a voluntary exile from the civilized
Avorld, or by the most appalling dangers that ever
were arrayed against human nature and human
virtue — the high and holy purpose of that remark
able company devoted to truth and liberty, was
consummated by the revolution.
Forms of government, far excelling the best
models of Republics in all preceding ages, were
established and have been productive of order,
freedom and prosperity unparalleled. Here then
is the home of freedom, the asylum of patriots and
heroes, a broad theatre for the arts and sciences
devoted to the advancement of man in political
rectitude, in happiness and moral dignity.
But we should not do justice to the day and to
the interesting event of the American Revolution,
if we should pass without notice the moral causes

that led to these great results. The Independence
of these States and the founding of this Republic
are not the mere accidents of time and chance.
They are the results of principles long and deeply
fixed, preserved with care and handed down, from
the first who landed on these shores, through all
their generations. — The love of liberty and an
aversion to arbitrary power were deeply engraved
in the hearts of their children. The foundation of
this Republic was begun more than a century and
a half before the superstructure assumed its form
and comeliness. The foundation of this Republic
and the train of events that shed so bright a glory
on the Fourth of July, 1776, was begun, when, to
escape the arbitrary impositions of ecclesiastical
and civil power, our ancestors resolved to found,
in this new world, a free government and a pure
church. We celebrate then the triumph of the
principles our puritan ancestors brought with
them to the shores of this wilderness. We honor
the elevated christian spirit that animated them to
rescue religious liberty from the thraldom of the
hierarchy and the throne. We celebrate the illus
trious virtues of that patriotic and high minded
band of martyrs who recoiled not from severest
hardships and dangers to secure to their children
the blessings of a free and good government. We
celebrate the provident wisdom of our ancestors
that led them to devise and establish the primitive

8
institutions of this country, and to adapt them to
the purpose of perpetuating the love of liberty and
the abhorrence of arbitrary government.
We celebrate their virtues of patient and perse
vering industry ; of manly enterprize ; of inflex
ible adherence to just principles ; of firm attach
ment to forms and customs essential to cherish
correct sentiments, the love of good order and of
their country. Though they had not where to lay
their own heads with safety, impressed with the
truth that knowledge and virtue are the vital ele
ments of liberty and human happiness, they found
ed free schools and institutions of higher order
and churches and temples of the Most High.
Thus actuated by motives and principles of a
pure and lofty character, by a long series of well
devised measures they prepared the people of the
colonies to carry into execution the Declaration
by their Representatives, that they were " and of
right ought to be, Free and Independent
States." ' Like Plato, they were ashamed to
be philosophers in theory and not in practice.'
They were ashamed to be friends of liberty by pro
fession and not in deeds of worth and devotion to
their country and their cause.
When the Independence of these States was de
clared, then were put to issue these great ques
tions, Whether this nation should exist? Whether
the infant, the fond hope of past ages should be

9
strangled at its birth 1 — God said, Let it live !
Admiring nations with compassion and half sup
pressed joy and low and trembling voice breathed
forth a tender prayer, That it might live. The
shield of Omnipotence was cast around it. A
divine energy was breathed into its spirit. Patri
ots and divines, statesmen and heroes, sires and
matrons, the favorite sons of their vows and the
loveliest of the daughters, inspired with a heaven-
born sympathy, spared no sacrifices to guard its
safety or to nourish its growth or give expansion
to its powers.
Time will not permit me to relate the artful
devices of a power bearing the Christian name, a
titled " defender of the faith," filling a throne
professedly sustained by the grace of God, to de
stroy this nation. Many were the base intrigues
employed by that power to effect what could not
be done by the prowess of brave armies. It is my
deliberate intention thus to mark distinctly those
devices and intrigues as utterly unworthy of the
Christian character and of the magnanimity of a
great nation.
The history is too familiar to be repeated, of
the many bloody battles that were fought, of bril
liant victories gained by brave bands unequal in
number, unarmed, undiciplined, oppressed by
want and nakedness, and with nothing to bear up
their courage but patriotism, the love of liberty
o

10
and trust in God ! And these often proved them
more than a match for the bravest and proudest
of their foes. Let imagination paint a faithful
picture of those scenes, when the devoted sons of
liberty in their home- spun frocks girded on their
rusty and shattered armour, and summoned by
the thundering artillery of a brilliant exulting host
left unprotected their wives and babes and hasten
ed to the battle ! See them year after year leav
ing their lands uncultivated, breaking from the
endearing ties and comforts of their homes, endur
ing the distresses of the camp and of fatiguing
marches in summer, and in winter, imprinting, in
the snow and ice, tracks of blood at every step
whilst pursuing their countries enemies ! A s God
is true, a people so virtuous and brave and perse
vering in their cause could not be left to the
fate of slaves, and to suffer contempt and wrath
from tyrants. The enemy at length recoiled from
the contest that had cost him one after another of
his best appointed armies, had exhausted his trea
sures, and constantly rebounded, with disgrace to
his enterprize and despair to his prospects.
The Lord of hosts was on our side. Victory
perched with exulting wing and joyful note upon
the banner of American Liberty and Independence.
Gratitude and filial respect then command us to
celebrate the exalted virtues of the great men of
our land, whose patriotism and eloquence and

11
wisdom inspired and animated the people, planned
and directed the system of operations, led our
armies, and effected the glorious results in which
we this day rejoice.
They command us to celebrate the excellent
virtues of the more numerous class, formed by
early habits of discipline and instruction to the
love of just rule, and to respect and obey their
own magistrates and commanders, and who from
motives and principles the purest and most patri
otic, resolved to live free or die. This numerous
and virtuous class ceased not to pursue, through
scenes of calamity and desolation the invaders of
their country and their birthright, until the shouts
of victory and peace and freedom echoed and re
echoed throughout the vallies and high places, in
answer to that solemn appeal they had made " to
the Supreme Judge of the world."
Our right to Independence and Freedom was
acknowledged by our mortified enemy. Nations
bade us welcome to the great community of states
and empires. Our patriots and statesmen and
men of genius were emblazoned high on the cata
logue of great names. *The people were deeply
impoverished and embarrassed, but their industry
and enterprize rapidly repaired their condition and
placed them among the most favored and happy of
nations on whom the sun in any age hath shone.
This story, though oft repeated, can never cease

12
to be interesting to Americans. It touches a
chord that unites the heart at once to the memory
of the departed, and to the ascended spirits who
rest in Glory.
But we have been pointed to the decline and
dissolution of Republics once great and happy.
We have been admonished of dangers from unhap
py divisions and local jealousies. Under every
form of government like evils exist. But where
the will of the majority of the people is acknowl
edged to be the sovereign law, and elections may
change the operation of that law and the relations
of parties, divisions will seldom threaten serious
danger. In this respect our Republic possesses a safe
guard more perfect than has been known to any
other. Yet whoever knows the history of govern
ments and loves his country, cannot be regardless
of the great question. Whether this Republic shall
continue to prosper and flourish? Should you
listen to the hoary patriot's secret prayer, you
would hear the tenderest supplications for his
country, lest a dangerous ambition shall usurp its
sway, or misguided counsels shall direct its affairs,
or the people becoming reduced to ignorance and
a servile dependence on the unprincipled, shall be
unwise in their elections, and gradually lose their
birthright. The possibility of such an event should
excite us to constant vigilance. The spread of

13
our population and the number of our States have
indeed increased in a proportion even far beyond
the means of intelligence and moral improvement.
But these means, we hope, will rapidly follow in
the train. Self-interest in the new States will de
mand the increase. The great body of the people
in all the States are and must be ardently devoted
to the cause of free government. They have already
too much intelligence to rest without the means
of sustaining their relative weight and importance
in the Union. This cannot long be effected with
out improvement and weight of character. — In an
age of commotion our country may have experi
ence of events of threatening aspect. I must de
clare that I feel a faith in a governing Providence
too strong to doubt the stability of a government
founded as this has been. I would to heaven that
this faith may give repose to the surviving patriots
of the revolution, that in the expiring hour they
may not tremble for the fate of the country, for
whose liberties they have tendered their lives as a
willing sacrifice.
With some degree of jealousy the rulers in an
elective government should be watched. The safe
ty of the people demands this. To do their duty
to themselves the people require both correct intel
ligence and sound principle, to form a mature
judgment of the measures of government. Upon
the conduct of rulers no restraint can be so effect-

14
ual as the impression, that their constituents well
understand their course. — To those in public trust
there is no reward, besides the consciousness of
duty, more precious than the assurance that their
fidelity is duly appreciated. And they alone are
truly honoured, "Whose own acts immortalize their name,"
or gain them just applause.
At the expiration of more than half a century
from its commencement in an organized form, the
Republic of the United States stands, to the ad
miring view of nations, an illustrious monument
to the virtues of the patriots of the Revolution.
The advance of this Union in population, wealth,
and enterprize, in the most valuable arts and sci.^
ences, and in power, has in history no parallel.
This has been an age of tremendous convulsions
and revolutions among nations, which for a short
season gave to our heavens a lowering aspect. It
has passed by, and at this short distance of time
its traces are scarcely to be found. The industry
and enterprize of our citizens, animated by the
spirit and aided by the light of an age which seems
to be manifestly approximating towards some great
crisis of the world, are pressing forward to new and
important improvements. We witness as matters
of familiar occurrence, the application of natural
and mechanical laws to purposes of business, in-

15
telligence and social enjoyment, what even twenty
years ago would have passed as incredible, — as
"Dropt from the divine hand, with miracles replete."
We see our government patronizing and protecting
important branches of industry, which long have
withered beneath the overbearing influence of rival
and foreign interests.
The British government, with characteristic
sagacity and foresight, has ever opposed the estab
lishment and growth of manufactories in this coun
try. As early as the year 1731, by command of
the British parliament, the Board of Trade and
Plantations made a report concerning the "Trades
carried on, and manufactures set up, in the colo
nies,'''^ and recommended that " some expedient be
fallen upon to direct the thoughts of the colonists
from an undertaking of this kind ; so much the
rather, because these manufactures in process of
time, may be carried on in a great degree, unless
an early stop be put to their progress.'^ With
the same parental kindness a law was passed in
1732, by that government, " to prevent the expor
tation of hats out of the plantations in America,
and to restrain the number of apprentices taken
by the hat makers, in the said plantations." An
act of 1760 prohibited, under severe penalties, the
erection of iron-works of various kinds. Such

16
was the policy pursued to keep in a state of sub
jugation the colonies, and by a spirit of monopoly
to aggrandize the parent power. Since the de
claration and acknowledgement of our indepen
dence the same policy has been persevered in by
Great Britain. The wealth of the United States
has been, to a vast amount exhausted, to reward
British and Spanish industry and to support the
industry and enterprize of British and other pow
ers, whilst a vast portion of the industry and en
terprize of our population have languished under
embarrassments. The experience of this country
is beginning to convince us of the necessity of
maintaining di practical Independence. Our cit
izens have worn the badges of the vassalage of
their country until their pride and self-respect re
volt from the folly. Neglecting to avail ourselves
of the vast aid to industry of mechanical powers
and of the advantage each branch of industry offers
to the rest, we have surrendered to others some of
the most valuable sources of wealth and prosper
ity. Our statesmen and political economists are
beginning to discover that a nation of agricultur
ists, with trifling aid from mechanical powers, can
not compete with a nation of manufacturers who
by the aid of these powers cause even the elements
to execute their work. Invention has not yet aided
the implements of husbandry as it has the spindle
and the loom.

17
This sentiment is becoming prevalent among
the rulers and people, that national prosperity
depends essentially on a judicious application of
resources of power and industry and on the policy
by which we may strengthen each others hands
rather than the hands of strangers and enemies.
The great changes in the political world have com
pelled this country to a change of its policy. Time
and experience are necessary to accommodate it
to the various interests of the country. Laws
perfectly equal in their operation are not to be ex
pected. But I should be unjust not to acknowledge
my belief that the general laws and administrations
of the government are as faithfully devoted to the
welfare of the nation as they have been at any other
period of its existence. I have heard the cry of
extravagance and corruption sounded aloud and
reiterated in our halls of legislation. Had it not
been manifest that'^it was the cry of party spirit, I
should have tr-embled with the apprehension that
this Republic had approached the eve of her dis
solution. — The bureaus of the administration were
thrown open to the prying curiosity of fell suspi
cion and the untiring search of rancorous jealousy,
until the master spirits of the enterprize with
looks of dismay would gladly have found some
door for an escape unnoticed and unknown. They
began and ended their work with not even
"Their keen purpose in politeness sheath'd."
3

18
A new election is at hand. The prize of ambi
tion dazzles the sight of the aspirants. Though
clothed with the purity of angels of light, the illus
trious man whom the people have delighted to
honor with their highest gift must be assailed. It
became the duty of public servants to watch with
keenest sight the disclosures that were made.
These would show that if there were political sins
they must be laid at the door of other administra
tions. The discoverers of pretended corruption
seemed for a time plumed high, until investigation
showed its results. In such a cause,
" Fame's trumpet seldom sounds^ but like the knell
It brings bad tidings."
At this crisis in public affairs I should deem my
self unfaithful to my trust not to declare my entire
confidence in the present Chief Magistrate of this
Union ; and for his purity of character, patriotism,
devotion to our free institutions, ability and fidel
ity in office, as a Republican, I could not withhold
from him the highest meed of honor. In his char
acter there is no approach to arbitrary power.
Like Lycurgus, 'Virtue has rendered him so great
as to be above it.'
Under a government such as ours, abuses of
power to much extent, in the executive department,
can hardly be attempted before exposed. The in-

19
telligence of the people and the ambition of the
aspiring will place around this government per
petual safe-guards. If there be evils more than
others threatening the stability of our institutions,
the disposition and the facilities to misrepresent
the conduct of those in power deserve to be kept
in view. Deception is the arch demon of the po
litical as well as the moral world. By it innocence
lost paradise. By it RepubUcs have fallen. If
ambition by deceiving the people drive from our
national councils the purest and most faithful, well
may they tremble lest it shall elevate to them
bad men.
This day especially reminds us of that band of
patriots and heroes whose services have been far
too lightly esteemed and too readily forgotten.
The song of the minstrel, the pen of history and
the genius of eloquence have proudly celebrated
their glorious deeds. Our present Chief Magis
trate has not failed to commend them to the regard
of their country. Yet the reflection must en-
crimson our cheeks with blushes at the dishonor
of leaving them who were liberal of their sacri
fices and their blood for their country, to languish
in age with want and grief
At this late period, when but a feeble few re
main, reluctant justice comes with stinted hand
for the relief of a few. If it were not that such

20
facts are needful to be remembered for reproof, I
would to heaven that they were blotted from the
history of our country. I will refrain from trac
ing the shades of a picture that must show to all
future ages the ingratitude of free men. To
happier themes we turn ; to adore the God of
our fathers for his protecting Providence ; to ad
mire its arrangements in preparing virtuous and
illustrious leaders for our councils and our ar
mies. In such a state of dismay and commotion
as when the elements of the revolution burst forth,
none but men of gigantic mind could have guided
the barque amid the tumultuous waves
"And not have sunk beneath them.
Their's were imriiortal names
That were not born to die."
This day calls us with the happy millions of our
country around her altars ; to renew our vows of
fidelity to our free and excellent institutions, to
pledge our support to the wise and virtuous ad
ministration of our government ;• to stand forth
in the light and blessings of an age, long desired
by the friends of liberty and of mankind. Inval
uable are the fruits of our father's toils and sacri
fices. Happy few who yet live to behold their
children with countenances beaming w^ith joy

21
and gratitude rising up and calling them blessed.
" To bless is to be bles't."
May ours be a filial gratitude, ours the patriot
ism of generous hearts
" To soothe the keen pangs the aged spirit feels."
Fellow Citizens — Let us be true to the
principles of the revolution and to the revered
example of our fathers. Let us remember that
Republics fall like virtue, not by one rash act,
but by a gradual and unperceived decline of
moral sentiment and moral purpose. Our insti
tutions devoted to learning and moral improve
ment will be the sentinels of our country's
liberties, when we are no more. Let me then
exhort ray fellow citizens to cherish these, to main
tain with generous devotion the institution of Free
Schools. See that they are nurseries of learning
and science adapted to the improvements and the
spirit of the age. Institutions in the name of
religion will have a transcendant influence upon
the character and destiny of our Republic. We
acknowledge not the liberty that knows no God.
The purity and order of our worship and the
comeliness and beauty of our temples must~ con
tinue to give their aid to our free institutions or
we shall fall from the steadfastness of our fathers.

22
Even the gospel pleads the cause of liberty when
it teaches man to estimate his worth as an immor
tal being. Here may it long continue to whisper
peace,
" In strains as sweet
As angels use."
Thrice happy citizens ! Many and hon orable
to our country and grateful to ourselves are the
recollections we are permitted to indulge. When
the spirit of that illustrious race of men who
planted this land animates our breasts, and we
review the ways of a propitious Providence,
our faith assures us that this youthful nation is
destined to a career of glory unsurpassed in the
annals of the world.
Let God be praised for this day of festive joy
and the animating prospects of our beloved
country. Citizen Soldiers, you are guardians of the pub
lic liberties. You are successors of those brave
veterans whose valor swept from these shores
the invaders of the rights you hold sacred. May
you peacefully enjoy them, or if invaded may you
manfully maintain them. May no future genera
tion have cause to blush for the indifference or
degeneracy of the present.

23
Carry forward, with a spirit worthy of your
descent, the example of a people capable of self-
government, and
" Born to no master."
Animated by the sentiments that belong to this
interesting occasion, may our aspirations rise to
heaven that the dominion of ignorance and sla
very may cease on earth. For the enslaved
Greeks we would offer to the Sovereign of na
tions our sympathy and our prayers, and that
the power that oppresses man may every where
be broken, " So shall the praise of ransomed millions rise,
In grateful incense to the echoing skies."

YALE

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