"'"¦"I'f YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 'M-^ ¦ 3 9002 07223 7952 ; . '.;><,- T-unlap, Andrew \n oration. Boston, 1622. 4 -'., I(J» 4 ^^'^lit^i'^: vi-i! 1 , / V, /'.% f. J^rK^^:' rCT93^M "/jfi&B ihsft Books ^foT t^faa/a^CB^ of g. CiUige. m.atfCl>bAy>^ I » Yi^LE«¥]Mn¥EIESIIir¥- .AK ORATION5 DELIVERED AT THE. REQUEST OF THE REPUBLICANS OF BOSTONj AT ^ ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, 182S. BY ANDREW DUNLAP. BOSTON: PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE AMERICAN STATESMAN, By True and Greene> 1822. BOSTOrr, JULY 5, 1822. Sir — At a meetings of the committee of arrangementt for celebrating the foity-aixth anniversary of American Indepen dence, held yesteiday, it was unanimouily P'oted, "That the thanks of this committee be tendered to Ahdrew Dunlap, Esq. for his very eloquent and patriotic Oration, delivered this day, at Fanueil Hall, and that a eopy be solicited for the press." We avail ourselves of the present opportunity to express to you our personal ackuowled°;ements, and remain. Sir, with fhe highest consideration, Tour obedient Servants, NATH'L. GREENE,! WINSLOW LEWIS, (Spscial Com. JOHN W. QUINCY, \ ANDREW DUNLAP, ESQ. '"' BOSTON, JULY 5," 1822. GESTLEMEN-The Oration, which I had thebonour to de- liver, is at your disposal. I return my thanks to the Commit tee of Arrangements for their vote and to you for your polite communication, ' Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant, ANDREW DUNLAP Ma. NATH'L. GREENE,) ^^wi^ar. ORATION. FELLOW CITIZEJyS, tV hy are we this day assembled ? The ob ject of this great National Celebration, is to che rish a recollection of the principles and feelings^ which fired the breasts of those Patriots, who forty-seven years since, first unfurled that ban ner, which now w?.ves triumphantly in every breeze of heaven. Sacred to the latest ages, be this anniversary of our freedom ! Let no sound, save the voice of joy, and the language of exultation, be heard in the land, on the return of this glorious day^ when our fathers proclaimed, that America wa.s Independent and Free ; and that the honour of her citizens was staked, and the blood of her sons pledged^ to the attainment of that liberty^ 4i which they claimed as their right, and which they resolved to leave, as an inheritance to their children. The lofty feelings of that hour, can never be adequately described ; and as many ages may roll on, as have preceded it, before those sentiments will be felt again. Great was the occasion, illustrious were the men whom it produced ! The authors of our Independence were lifted above the influence of all those considera tions of interest, and fear, which blight the enter- prize of ordinary men, and cause their hearts to tremble. They renounced all former attachments. Their memory dwelt only upon the wrongs, and oppressions, which had been heaped upon their country. Hope, like the sun rising above the morning's mist, dawned from afar, with brightest beams upon their view, and they sa.w beyond the clouds which encompassed them, the fair prospect of their country's prosperity and glory. In their glowing visions of the future, they beheld their children the successful assertors of human rights, surpassing the inhabitants of Europe in the excel lence of their civil institutions, with rapid strides, endeavouring to rival them in knowledge, and the ^.ttainment of every thing to b& desired, for the happiness of mankind, and rising into a unit- ed, flourishing and powerful nation ; respected abroad and happy at home. With these emotions bursting from their hearts, they invoked the aid of Heaven ; they appealed with confidence to the valour, and patriotism, of their fellow-citizens, and uniting their fate, with the fate of their country, they struck the' blow which severed the British Empire, and made a breach between the mother country and her col onies, deeper and wider than the ocean which rolled between them. History presents no parallel to the American revolution. The enemies of the Tarquins, the des troyers of the power of Kings in Kome, were rous ed by the distress and despair of the husband of Lucretia, they caught the spirit of revenge, with w'hich his bosom burned, and were impelled to the overthrow of despotism, as well by '^ private griefs" as love of country. When Csesar fell ; when the Roman world was delivered from his usurpation ; and ancient liberty seemed about to be restored ; the minds of men at first were fill ed with admiration of the deed. But when they saw the greatest hero of the age stretched life less in the Forum, covered with unfading lau rels, his power of oppressing the Republic ter- 6 nirinated, and his earthly race of glory finished, his dangerous ambition was soon forgotten. They remembered him as an orator second only to their Cicero, as the invader of Britain, the conqueror of Gaul, and the victorious leader of their in vincible legions. Among those whose daggers were stained with his blood, they found many who owed the preservation of their lives and rank to his generosity, and but few whose motives were not tinged with personal jealousy of his great ness. In a moment, the splendor of the action was obscured by the clouds of popular grief and rage ; and with one sentiment the citizens of Rome who had often followed his chariot to swell the pomp of his trium])hs, and the veterans who had fought by his side and shared the danger and the glory of his exploits, rushed to arms to avenge his death. In the conflict, which ensued, the last drop of Republican blood was spilt, the last vestige of Ro man liberty destroyed, and the nation sunk into a despotism, which for nearly fifteen centuries spread like the shades of the night over the civilized world, and almost extinguished the virtue and in telligence of mankind. From the influence of this despotism, the people of Europe v.ith all their as- sumed and boasted intellectual superiority, have never been able entirely to emerge ; for they yet kneel at the foot of the Throne ; they gaze with delight on the star that glitters on a Noble's breast ; they yield the tribute of respect to their enervated, corrupt, and mouldering Aristocracies ; and they still bow their necks to the yoke of Priesthood. Hereafter this will be recorded as the greatest honour of the United States ; their Citizens were the first eflfectually to burst the chains forged for men, in the civil wars of Rome caused by the death of Csesar, and rivetted upoiii them by the elevation of his family to the purple, and the unlimited command of the Roman Em pire ; and they also were the first deliberately to renounce, totally, and forever, those absurd, and tyrannical maxims of politics, which are the staj of the Priesthood, the props of the Nobility, and the foundations of the Throne. Our Revolution was not the offspring of private resentment, the contention of parties, or the dis organizing spirit of ambitious leaders ; for the splendor of its events are equalled only by the purity of the feelings, which produced them. In dignation was felt, but it was the just indignation of a whole people, excited by constant persecu- 8 tion, and continued and deliberate violations of their dearest rights, as contained in their Charters, the gifts of their Kings, and secured by a better title, the eternal maxims of justice and the funda mental principles of the British Constitution. The cry that resistance must be made, at every hazard. to the encroachments of the Crown, which first is sued from this Hall, found its way to every heart, and was eagerly responded by every voice in the community. The contest was not for power, but for principle. It was a struggle in support of the rights of man. It resulted in their complete es tablishment, and the perfect triumph of the most glorious cause, in which his genius and courage were ever called forth. Who were those lovers of their country, who dared hazard the vengeance, and face the pow er of the British Monarch, who were the first to ascend to original principles of government, and to maintain that the people's will is the on ly pure fountain of political power? They were chiefiy the descendants of the Puritans, who for the sake of conscience and freedom, parted with the friends of their youth, relinquished a country that they loved as the land which gave them birth, braved every toil, and danger with unexampled constancy and courage, and sought liberty in a wil derness covered with the snows of a northern win ter. This is the lineage of the men who created the first impulse of opposition to British tyranny. The sons of such sires, could not be degenerate, for that rock which first received their weary feet, will sooner crumble to dust, than the spirit of the Pilgrims be extinguished in the breasts of their children ! The first settlers of New-England were as much distinguished for their wisdom, as their intrepid boldness. They felt that to them, neither a common fate, nor a common character had been allotted. Though born in the days when Prerogative knew no limit, and the power of Prin ces no controul, they were ardent and zealous Republicans, and it was the desire of their hearts, that their feelings and manners should be trans mitted in their simplicity and vigour, as the best legacy which they could leav% to their posterity. Consequently all their laws were marked by an inflexible Republican character. They fled from religious persecution, and they determined that their children should never become the slaves of any Hierarchy. The clergy therefore, were rendeced dependent for their support and influence, 3 iO wholly on their merit and their services ; and they have ever remained, not as in other countries, a separate order of men, sometimes menacing the government, and at all times subjugating the peo ple, but as the most useful of our citizens, blend ing their feelings and interests with those of the rest of the community, partaking their prosperity, sharing their adversity, and enjoying their unal loyed respect. The salutary effects of this system were amply realized, " in those days which tried men's souls." Not one of the Puritan Clergymen deserted his friends or his country. From their pulpits, they animated the courage of their breth ren, on the field of battle they were found by their side, and they prayed unceasingly to the God wha had protected their fathers, to crowa with success the efforts of a people fighting in defence of their freedom. The Puritans were enemies to every species of Aristocracy, and by their laws of inheritance they prevented the dangerous accumulation of wealth, and its accompanying influence in a few hands. They also established schools and colleges for the diffusion of knowledge, the best safeguard of pub lic liberty and happiness, and where the sons of the Middling Interests of society might measure 11 their strength, with the sons of the Aristocra^c classes, and by superior talents and industry, out strip them in the race for distinction. Fellow Citizens, it was the soul of your an cestry which filled this Hall, when midst bursts of enthusiastic feftling, its walls resounded with the eloquence of Qnincy, Otis, Hancock, and Adams, «xciting their countrymen to the most strenuous efforts for th© preservation of their rights. The Macedonian King learnt that the voice of the Prince of Orators could kindle in Greece, the flame of patriotism, and raise a powerful opposition to his ambitious designs. And in James Otis, George the third found the Demosthenes of America. That eye which once beamed confidence to the friends, and flashed terror to the enemies of the cause of freedom, is now extinguished in the dark ness of the tomb ; and that tongue, which poured forth like the loudest thunder of the tempest, those denunciations which shook the Tyrant's Throne, is now cold as the monumental stone which marks the spot, where the remains of the orator of New-England repose. But the works of great men live after them. Half a century has elapsed since those Patriots, were seen together in this sacred enclosure. They have ascended to IS Heaven to receive the reward of their labours, for their country and mankind ; but their principles, their example, and their memory will never per ish, and we are assembled, in the enjoyment of that Independence, which they acquired for us, here in the very scene of their greatest glory, to cherish their principles, venerate their example, and honour their memory. We stand on holy ground ; and every spot around us is associated with the most glorious recollections. On our rear are the Plains of Lexington, where the blood of our countrymen was first shed in battle, and the first sound of the trumpet was heard, announcing that the work of destruction had commenced, and th« war was begun. On the right we behold those rude fortifications which suddenly rose before^ the eyes of the astonished enemy, relieved Bos ton from a siege, and removed forever from the sight of the people of Massachusetts, that ar my which was sent to dragoon them into obe dience to the Royal Edicts. On the left, that Hill rises upon our view, where British Troops learnt the dear lesson, that English courage had not lost in this western continent either its fierce ness or its firmness ; whei;e '' the soldier, schoU 13 ar" Warren fell, where Prescott gained a reputa- tion, lasting as the battle ground on which it was acquired, and where Stark, like Camillus from his plough, displayed a firmness which Rome in her best days would have honoured. The heights of Charlestown will be as memo rable in our annals as the pass of Themopylse in Grecian History. Let those monuments of Glory always remind us, that as no sacrifices and dan gers were thought too great to be encountered, for the attainment of freedom, none should be considered too great for its preservation ! Let us be admonished by the fate of other Republics, and avoid the errors which have occasioned their fall from greatness ! The soul of the traveller who visits the place where the Despot of Asia with his host of slaves was checked by the band of Spartan Patriots, is elevated by the thought that he treads upon the ground where Grecian liberty was defended, perhaps preserved, by Grecian val our ; but his transport is subdued by the recollec tion that after Greece had lost her liberties, even here Alaric was permitted to pass without resis tance at the head of his Gothic barbarians, and desolate a country once renowned for her Orators, her Statesmen, and her Heroes. 14f Let us listen to the warning voice of history, and bear in mind, that liberty and glory, can be preserved only by vigilance, and exertion. We may then confidently indulge the hope, that the day will never arrive, when the Declaration of In dependence, shall raise a blush on the countenance of an American, and the scenes of the battles and victories of the Revolution, reproach him with de generacy, from the valour and the principles of his forefathers. Heaven raised up a host of Statesmen and Warriors for the accomplishment of our emancipa tion. A Jefferson stood forth to proclaim our wrongs, in that immortal Declaration, which will be read with admiration, when the borders of the Pacific shall rival in population, settlements and cities, the shores of the Atlantic, and the United States shall be filled from the mountains, to both Oceans, with countless millions of freemen, unit ed by the ties of interest, and affection, and bound together by the chain of one language. The Philosopher of Monticello enjoys with his distinguished associate, the Philosopher of Quin< cy, a happiness which has rarely fallen to the lot of the great political benefactors of the human race. Their lives have usaally, been embittered 15 by injustice, and persecution, and they have becis compelled to look to posterity to pronounce *•' the verdict of their fame ;" but these Patriots have out lived the prejudices, which party animosities have excited against them ; in their own time, tlie storm has passed by, and the last hours of their course are unclouded and serene. To their honour, to the honour of their country be it said, that all their candid fellow Citizens now unite in the sentiment which posterity will approve, that the earth nev er yet produced more ardent and sincere lovers of their country, than the two great political rivals, and leaders of opposing parties in the United States, the Sage of Massachusetts, and the Sage of Virginia. The brightest star in the constellation of Ame rican Statesmen, is Franklin, the man who sprung from the middling interest of the Town of Boston, who by bis scientific researches and discoveries, exalted the character of the new world in the eyes of the old, who gained the aid even of Kings to the cause of a Republic, and secured that assist ance, which consummated the arduous struggle of the Revolution in a glorious acknowledgment of our National independence. It was said in France after the return of Dr Franklin and the arrival of 16 Mr. Jefferson as the minister of the United States, " we thought that America could have produced but one Franklin, but when her Jefferson came amongst us, we found she had a Franklin for every occa sion." By the genius of the American pencil, " the first in War, the first in peace, the first in the hearts of his countrymen," the great, the illustrious Wash ington, now stands before you. That brilliant painting, in time will lose its hues ; that heroic countenance, and majestic form, will fade from the canvass ; but his achievements will never lose their splendor, and the recollection of the deeds of the man, who was as distinguished for the lustre of his private virtues, as the brightness of his milita ry glories, will never fade from the minds of his countrymen. As long as this celebration shall be maintained, a leading sentiment of the day will be, the memory of the Father of his Country ; and as lon^ as our Republic shall exist, the remembrance of his services will be engraven on the grateful heart of every American. When the Declaration !of Independence was made ; the mountains of Switzerland, sheltered the only truly free people in Europe. Since that peri od, France has had her Revolution, the history of 17 which is marked by excesses, but great and bene ficial consequences, have been the result of her political changes. The French Revolution brought forth all the talent of a great nation possessing an extensive and fine country ; it combined and dis played more military genius, than ever before was exhibited in any period of history ; it created the Chief who in a series of most astonishing exploits, from the battle at the bridge of fjodi, to the fatal and glorious conflict on the field of Waterloo, es tablished his indisputable claim to the rank of the greatest military commander, whom the world had seen. At the foot of the Pyramids he exclaimed, that his army and their leader at the end of forty centuries, would be the subject of admiration, and probably forty centuries will elapse, ere a rival in fame will appear to the Warrior who trampled down all prescriptive claims to greatness, who owed his elevation to his genius alone, and whose talents were as formidable to the Monarchs of Europe, as the strength of the strong man of antiquity to the Philistine Princes. France has also realized grea ter advantages ; she is relieved from the bondage of feudal servitude, her soil is the property of those who cultivate it, and who owe no subjection or acknowledgment for the possession to any su- 18 perior. She enjoys in some measure a representa tive government, and the voice of her people is now heard with a less interval than a period of nearly two centuries ; and she has the trial by jury, the best security of private rights. But the most important consequence which has flowed from the French Revolution has not been confined to the limits of that country ; it has created a tide of public sentiment in favour of free institutions, which will ultimately sweep away all the ancient political abuses, and from the Mediteranean Sea to the Arctic Ocean ameliorate the condition of the people. South America is free ; and this day we joyfully hail the acknowledged Independence of our Sister Republics. Even Spain has awakened from the long slumber of despotism, and has established on the ruins of the Inquisition, a liberal constitution of government. In the political regeneration of that country, we should feel a deep and solemn interest, for it is always to be recollected, that it was the patronage of Spain, to the enterprize of Columbus, which made known to our fathers, that there was a country beyond the Ocean, where the oppressed might find a refuge, and the standard of Liberty be raised. In every part of Europe the 19 pebple are acquiring a share of political power, aod an influence in the affairs of government. These are the glorious fruits of the American Rev olution, and to its authors, from the old world, as well as the new, the incense of gratitude will ever ascend. During all the changes, which have occurred in the world, the advancement of our country, in the arts, and the success of her arms is a proud subject of contemplation. For her progress in the sciences we appeal to our Constitutions as the ev idence of our attainments, in the most important of all the sciences, that of Government. Twenty- four Republics have been formed under the aus pices of our National institutions, and to this hour, no single instance has occurred of a serious interruption to the administration of justice, either under the State, or National governments. This fact alone is a sufficient proof, that the internal political arrangements are salutary and wise. The ability of our government to conduct a war with glory, was evinced in the late brilliant con- contest with Great Britain, when the invaders of our country, flushed with conquest and fresh from the overthrow of the champion of the age, were vanquished by the Soldiers of a Republic, and so beaten back by its patriotic Militia ; and when the gallantry of our Seamen, on the Lakes, and on the Ocean, won the laurels of the mariners who had fought under Nelson, who were the conquerors at the Nile, and the victors at Trafalgar. Could the voice of our fathers, be heard from the tomb, they would declare that their posterity, with a single exception, had maintained correct po litical principles, and that they well deserved their prosperity and glory. But with their praises would be mingled the accents of complaint,' that the cry ing sin, the heavy curse of slavery, should exist among a people adoring their liberty, and appeal ing to the Declaration of Independence as tlie charter of freedom and the record of the rights of man. New England has always felt, she al ways will feel, and she has a right to speak up on this subject ; for when she was a band of Colo- nies and slavery vi'as tolerated, here it assumed its mildest form. The unfortunate being 'who was reduced to servitude, was protected' by pub lic sentiment ahd shielded by the laws from the slightest oppression. In Massachusetts the sen timent of the Declaration of Independence, all men arc bom free and equal, engrafted upon her Bill of Rights, with a breath, and in a moment en- st franchiisfed* the slave, arid restored that liberty Which' is the unialiienable right of every being Who bears tlfe itnpi-esk' of Heaven, tbe foi'ni and the aspect of a man. Until that stain which rests upon our character shall be removed, we may cele brate our Independence,' till the eartli' and the heavens are filled with our rejoicing. But the sound which is echoed from the tombs of our ancestors, will ever be accompanied with a sigh, till the day shall arrive when every heart shall leap with the consciousness of freedom, when every voice shall sing the joys of liberty, and no spot of our Repub lic shall be found, on which a slave can be reared, and no air beneath our sky, " but is too pure for a slave to breathe in." Fellow Citizens. We should rejoice at the elevated rank, which our Republic has attained, among the Nations of the earth, and the public and private blessings showered down upon our citizens. These are glorious days ! The time is coming, let us hail with rapture its approach, when the only enquiries which the people will make respecting any candidate for public confi dence, and his country's honours, will be those proposed by our Jefferson, " Is he honest, is he capable, is he faithful to the Constitution ?" Above ss all things let us rejoice at the display of that spir it, emanating from the Capital, and spreading ra pidly over the State, which is overwhelming the Aristocracy of the Commonwealth, and uniting a- gainst tbem, all candid and independent mea in one great American party, S3 THE ORDER OF EXERCISES, WAS MUSIC. PRAYER BY REV. T. BALDWIN, D. D. ODE, composed by a Gentleman of this City. HY did the nations rage? Why with us battle wage? 'Twas a vain thing! Why climb'd our hills their brave ? Sought they a soldier's grave ? Then what they sought we gave : — God was our King. When, from our guardian tide, Queen of the Isles ! thy pride Homage would wring ; HE who heaven's arrows tips Speaks in our smoking ships : " No !" — say their iron lips, " God here is King." Peace now, o'er field and flood, Sails, and no more in blood Dips her white wing : — Nor on the Moorish plain, Nor on the mighty main.^ Clanks there a brother's chain :-^ God is our King. Pure as the patriot's wreath, Free as the air we breathe, This day we bring, From the green earth and sea, Where dwelleth Liberty, Incense of praise to Thee, Great God, our Kiqg. READING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, BY COL. GERRY FAIRBANKS. ORATION. The following ODE composed for the occasion, by Mr. Nathaniel H. Weight. iIKE the bow in Eastern sky, When the storm, has hurtled by, Glows resplendent from on high, Freedom's Jubilee. Raise aloud the festal strain, Pledge the memory, yet ag?iin, Of the heroes who were slain, Fighting valiantly. 2. When the storm of battle pour'd, Then proud Albion's tyrant horde Met the dauntless freeman's sword. Flashing victory Sons of heroes who have bled, O ! revere the patriot dead. Whose best blood, so nobly shed. Gave you liberty. 3. Be your altars o'er their tomb. There let loveliest flowerets bloom, Breathing holy, sweet perfume. To their memory. By the glories of the brave ; By the blood which ting'd the wave ; By the patriot's hallow'd grave ;¦ Swear you'll still be frek. BENEDICTION, BY REV. MR. DEAN. •/>2>yr iiilAliii ^» (1 ^4 *-*¦< i>i f^. "«».*