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AN

ADDRESS

COMMEMORATION

V
-DELIVERED APRIL 19, 1826,

BY DESIRE OF A NUMBER OF GENTLEMEN

REPEATED ON THE "Sili INrJTAXT.

BY WILLIAM EMMONS.

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•FU'NTBD FOR THE AUTHOR'.

ADDRESS.

The return of the 19th of April, will awaken in our
breasts, feelings of gratitude, so long as we or oar
children regard the sacrifice made by our fathers,
in the great struggle to secure for themselves, and
their posterity, the blessings of civil and religious
liberty. As it is well known, Lexington battle has
no parallel on the records of history. As it resulted
in the defeat of a well disciplined body of his Maj
esty's troops, by those without commanders, or con
cert among themselves, it was a noble, spontaneous
struggle of freemen in the glorious cause of free
dom. By offering a few remarks at this time, in
honour of the times which tried men's souls, and
tested those principles of liberty and republicanism,
which of late has been sounded often in our ears,
alas ! I fear those sounds have, in some instances,
proved empty sounds ! I humbly trust there is none
within sound of my voice, that has> forgot the ser
vices of such as died, that they might live in the full
enjoyment of that liberty, which was the price of
their blood, in the days of our infancy. ' When, in
stead of the spirit kindling anthem lingering upon
the walls of yon consecrated temple,' the proud war
horse of Britain was taught to trample down its
sacred altar. You need not expect me to plod
through the historic page of '75 on the present oc
casion : as its pages are too familiar to you all, to
need my aid for your further information, I shall di
gress from that subject, and introduce you to sub
jects of a more recent date, and point to the hero
whose brow has been more recently decked with the
laurels of victory on the banks of New Orleans, who
gave a specimen of his government, when he as-

sumcd the power, and executed, Arbuthnot and
Ambrister, without order from that government un
der whom he acted as military commander, for which
exploit he has ventured to enter the course in order
to run the Presidential race, whose progress was
impeded by not taking heed to his steps, and keep
ing clear of the Clay, which adhered to his feet, and
caused him to be more slow in movement than our
northern John, who kept the narrow path, being well
acquainted with all the by-paths, he occasionally
went across lots, thereby gaining ground, came out
ahead, notwithstanding the Trenton convention,
who, lamentable to tell, had placed many snares for
him to fall into, in order to give the General time to
take breath, and clean the Clay from his feet,
that he might run with more velocity : But John
looked well to his ways, as he is generally in the
habit of doing, and those who sat as judges award
ed him the purse, to the great mortification of the
General and the Trenton convention. Alas ! the
General never run so warm a heat before, and as he
has not been in the habit of running before the ene
my of his country, I am not so much surprised he
thinks a journey to Washington, twice in a year,
more than he can bear in his present exhausted
frame, since he has agreed to run a second heat
with the same northern steed. I expect he will run
with renewed ardour, as the Constitution is to be
amended, in order to remove some obstacles which
now impede his progress ; and for the better effect
ing of this object, has, in consequence of his native
diffidence, resigned his seat in Congress, after giving
directions to those gentlemen tinkers of that instru
ment how the work should be done, in order to elect
him to the highest office marked on its parchment,
for which office, says the General, my name is be
fore the American people. He, therefore, has ten
dered his resignation for fear he should be tempted,
and appears to pray that he may not be led into

i)

temptation, and has recommended checks and bal
ances, in order, I presume, to give him a balance of
power. If the late contest so exhausted the Gene
ral as to require a respit of four years from all coun
cils of the Nation, unless some great question should
arise requiring a mind like his, in which case we are
assured by him he will sacrifice private interest for
public good, even should it require a journey twice
a year to Washington. Such disinterested benevo
lence as this is worthy of all acceptation. While I
must ever feel as grateful to tlie General as any
man, for his military services, how can I wish to see
him elevated to the presidential chair, when I re
flect he is better fitted for the field than the cabinet,
and I consider Massachusetts and Maine may re
quest him to lead their troops into that tract of
country now claimed by his majesty the King of
England, situated on the St. John and Madawaska
rivers, where he would display more talents than he
would ever display as chief magistrate of this vast
empire ! Feeling confident the present incumbent
will again be elected to the exalted station he now
fills with so much credit to himself and honour to
the nation, (even should the choice devolve on the
people ;) yes, I repeat it, credit to himself, and hon
our, exalted honour, to the American nation. For
do not Europeans read his speeches with delight
and admiration ? and are they not construed into
different languages, in order to delight those who
do not enjoy the honour of living under his admin
istration ?
To what age can I point you, where a leader,
let him be king, sovereign, or whatever name you
may please to bestow, where you have discovered
.so many shining qualities as are visibly to be
seen when you read the speeches of that bright
and shining northern star, John Quincy Adams ?
Who, through good and evil report, has come out
like gold tried in the refiner's furnace, notwith-

standing the notorious M'Duffie, " who, if it can b$
justly said, is a fair specimen of the people he re
presents. I would recommend Congress to pass an
act in order to teach them the first principles of
civilization ! Yes, and I think when he returns to
his people, and renders an account of his steward
ship, they will count him as an unfaithful servant,
and will strip him naked, unless they can borrow
' John Randolph's red shirt,' as a garment of de
cency, before they hand him over to Heaven's hang
man, in order to lash him round the circumference
of Heaven."
Happy Americans ! surely you are living in the
age of improvement, not only as it respects roads,
Canals and railways, but measures are adopting to
light up your minds with science, by aid of those
light houses of the sky, about to be erected by our
enlightened Adams, whose languge is, let there be
light that I may enjoy the honor of governing an
enlightened people ; truly then can we say, he
serves the race and guides the helm.

Who, that hath warmth within his breast,
But that must feel his heart expand,
To see with arts his country ble^t,
And health and plenty crown the land ?
2.

The ploughshare tames the savage soil,
And Fulton visits every stream,
Who, till the heart at worth recoils,
Will be the patriot's grateful theme.

Valliesat Clinton's voice have rose,
And mountains stoop'd their lofty pride,
That Frie might with ocean close,
Who sweet hath kiss'd her as his bride.
4.
With a whole nation's eyes bewet,
With drops that the affections tell,
The Nation's Guest, the good Fayette,
Hath sighing bade the land farewell. '

But see his country round him throng!
By thousands greeting his return ;
The virgins chant their sweetest song,
While aged sires with triumph burn.

6.
He a visiter to our land appear'd,
Something more pure than mortal given ;
Yea, as a messenger revered,
Sent on a swift express from heaven.
7.
The wondrous man Bostonians saw,
And mark'd the mildness of his eye,
Which kindled in the ranks of war,
Waged for the cause of liberty.
8.
Boston ! at thy name the muse
Feels all his nerves with shiv'ring start ;
Thy name and honours are profuse,
Whose patriot virtues claim my heart.
Yes, Americans, you dwell in a land of liberty
and of science, who has many sons whose lustre
appears dazzling to surrounding nations, whose
Cabinets are filled by many, who in this country
would be rejected as unfit to govern themselves,
while we have talents to fill every station with
credit to themselves, and honor to the nation ; at
the same time emitting light to surrounding nations.
Let me for a moment point you to those ornaments
of the west, Clay and Johnson, who are Ken
tucky's boast. — Notwithstanding the former, in
1825, condemned duelling, and thought all should
unite in its unqualified proscription, yel, in 1826, he
enters the field to settle some points of honor, and
with a lunatic ! yet, lunatic as he was, he was in
clined to remember the ground on which he was
called to f ght. Although it had been marked as
the ground of Bladdensburg battle, was not to be
chosen as suitable ground for honorable men to
fight upon. Yet the latter gentleman is not only

8
the pride affd boast of Kentucky, but he is the pride
and boast of the nation, and is acknowledged as
the Howard of America, (as that scholar John
Randolph acknowledges Wilberforce as the forerun
ner of abolishing African Slavery.) All eyes are
turned with reverence to Johnson, as the great
Master Spirit, in the holy cause in breaking up the
last remains of ancient barbarity in our land, by
punishing misfortune and want, with more severity
than our laws now punish the felon. Again, let me
point you to those meteors, Webster and Everett,
(notwithstanding the latter gentleman justifies slave
ry by the New Testament,) are emitting northern
lights all over the continent, (understand me my
friends, not Blue Lights, but Boston Lights,) which
lighteth every one who enters the walls of her city ;
for who can long remain in darkness while so bright
and shining a light as Josiah Quincy, is burning
with such lustre in her candlestick ? Yes, a light
which cannot be extinguished by such water as is
discharged from Engine No. 16, (even when Daniel
of Old was her commander.) Shall I stop here,
or go on with my reflections, until I introduce to
your notice the Clinton of Massachusetts, our
commander in chief, while some doubt his judg
ment, when he thinks to surmount the rocks of
Hoosack Mountain. I should think they had for
got the language of scripture, which declares
the mountains shall be brought low, and the vallies1
raised ! If there is any here who doubt the rocks of
Hoosack Mountain can be removed, how can they
believe the story of the great rock that was hewn
from the mountain without hands, that was so large,
I hardly dare mention its size. At any rate the
Hoosack rock would be small indeed when compar
ed with that. But it falls to my duty, and a painful
duty it is to me, to state that the venerable sage of
Monticello is poor, so poor as to be publicly an
nounced as a beggar at your doors, prostrate at

9
your feet, and so proclaimed by one whose name
has gone abroad as speaking of that venerable sage
in a manner truly honorable. I have denounced,
publicly denounced, such sentiments as unworthy of
the venerable framer and signer of that constitu
tion upon which is suspended our best, our dearest
interests. Yes, venerable Jefferson, be assured, 1
never will remain a silent spectator to hear such
disgraceful assertions, discharged in Faneuil Hall,
(that ancient cradle of liberty ! which was wont to
rock to such eloquence) as proceeded from those
your former companions, in securing to your grate
ful children the rich blessings they now enjoy. Yes,
venerable, venerable man, the names of Otis,
Church, Hancock, and others, will ever be remem
bered with yours, even when you shall have joined
their society in yonder realms of glory, to be for
ever in the society of the immortal Washington.
I now shall address a few words to such as pro
claim Thomas Jefferson a beggar at our feet. I
beg to inform you, sir, that the illustrious name you
have thus treated with so little respect, is no beg
gar ; nor is he so poor as to require such assertion
discharged in Faneuil Hall, especially by a French
fusee, charged with Lady Johnson, or Dupont's best
quality No. 1. gun powder. I would not have the
gentleman be alarmed when I ask him if there is
not as much honor to apologize to a humble indi
vidual, whose feelings he had wounded, as to apolo
gize to one who is a Senator ? Let that be as it
may, let me assure him, had he apologized to the
writer a few evenings past in Faneuil Hall, he
would not have been the first who in that Hall had
asked the gentleman's pardon. And had the
Hon. Moderator not been one of those time-serv
ing, man-pleasing politicians, he would have sus
tained me when I rose to ask an apology from one
who had wounded the feelings of every one who
values that constitution which was the worknjan-

io
ship of him who is one of the first of mortal men.
I now beg to inform the Hon. Moderator I never
rise in Faneuil Hall but to speak on the question
before the meeting, and whenever I dt>, I would
have him to understand I fear no such mushroom
politicians, whose republican principles are confined
beneath the dome of the Custom-house, who would
have all the Rhodes cleared by the magic wand of
his umbrella. Let me inform you, Sir, I consider
my name as valuable- to me as either of those gen
tlemen whose names were borne on your official
report of the improperly termed Jefferson Meeting !
I think Mr. Jefferson's friends, in this or any other
town, will not thank the Major to call a meeting in
order to suffer any one to call Mr. Jefferson an
American Beggar, and then tell the world, that man
supported the measures adopted, by placing his
name with respectable names. Sir, I advance no
doctrine but what I can prove, and should I pro
nounce you a high minded, honourable man, who is
a friend to the liberty of speech, I should have to
return to your old files as far back as 1 800, before I
could prove the fact. I was born free, and I am
determined to maintain the principles of freedom ;
even were I bound in chains, I would find means to
inform you, that I was debarred my freedom in con
sequence of using the liberty of speech ; and when
that day arrives, 1 trust the people would gather
themselves together, and teach you a lesson you
never could unlearn. I would beg to ask, for infor
mation, for what cause the old ship Massachusetts
is hauled into dry dock ? whether for repairs, or to
enlist a new crew ? I have many more questions to
ask, and I fear if I put them all at once, you would
exclaim, like Job of old, " My burthen is greater
than 1 can bear."
I now offer a few remarks respecting the Massa
chusetts Claim. Governor Lincoln, and the Agent,
much of late has been said, and as much to my as-

11
tonishment, when I behold the man, who is placed
by the voice of the people, to watch over their
rights, surrendering a portion of that demand upon
the General Government, after an opinion had been
expressed that we were entitled to the whole, is a
matter of no small moment, especially as our Gover
nor was recently one of her Judges, whose judg
ment will be respected at Washington, if on no
other account than out of respect to the Governor
of Massachusetts, who, unfortunately, has never re
posed to the fidelity of our late respected Agent any
communication, either public or private, for which
he abundantly has reason to rejoice. And when the
Agent calls for instructions upon the subject, the
Governor, in amazement, asks the Agent how he
could have remained without instruction on the sub
ject. Excellent logic ! most excellent logic, indeed !
A remark or two more, and I will repose this subject
into his Excellency's hands for further considera
tion. Firstly : were those services performed, for
which payment is demanded ? Secondly : had the
General Government provided a sure defence, so as
to make those services unnecessary ? Was not the
United States' troops marched into Upper Canada,
iu order to plant the American Standard on the
ramparts of Quebec ? Yes ! and in less than six
weeks, and with a force able to look down all oppo
sition, and that force, too, was but the vanguard of
one much greater. Was not our sea coast destitute
of National defence, with the enemy in full view of
her shores ? Thus situated, was it not indispensable
for Massachusetts to retain her troops within her own
territory ? I shall not go into detail as to the merits
of Governor Strong's refusing to place his troops
under officers of the United States, as I can find no
reasonable ground to found an argument upon, so
long as he alone was marked out as Commander in
Chief of all the forces of his State. Therefore, I
would beg his Excellency to revise his opinions, as

12
of late he has advanced the same doctrine as
was maintained by Governor Strong, and upon a
subject which may yet compel him to place his
troops under officers of the General Government.
Should his Excellency inquire where he has ad
vanced such doctrine, I stand ready to inform him,
when called upon so to do. Finally, is Massachu
setts entitled to pay for services performed during
the last war ? if so, let her maintain her demand
for . the whole, or nobly yield the whole, and no
longer beg what is justly her due, as a free, sover
eign, and independent State, who was the first to
assert her rights against the overt acts of the British
Parliament, and, as I trust, under God, will be the
last to surrender them to any earthly power, either
at home or abroad. Should his Excellency glance
his eye on these rapid pages, I would have him re
member they were wrote by a republican who
values his liberty equal to his life ; who ever feels
bound to speak in praise of his rulers, who watch
over the people's rights, permitting none to trespass
upon them with impunity ; and while they watch
over them, may they not forget their State rights,
and see that they are maintained with dignity to the
State ; and should emergency call for the strength of
the State to go forth into the field of battle, in support
of their just rights, may this force never consent to be
led by any but by the Commander in Chief, or officers
appointed by him. For what purpose is society form
ed, and officers appointed, with certain powers, un
less those officers are governed by the power given
them from the people, who are the sovereign rulers of
the land, from whom all power emanates, to whom
all officers are accountable for the manner they dis
charge their duty or trust reposed in them. Unless
bounds were set for to govern, I fear many would
contend for discretionary power, which would tend
to destroy the people. Our fathers suffered too
much from assumption and exercise of unconstitu-

13
tional power, to adopt a form of government without
clearly defining the authority and duty of her agents'.
Therefore, when the people of Massachusetts form
ed the Constitution, they took good care that it was
fortified with a bill of rights, and what power they
retained was there expressed. On examination, I
find the doctrine of Governor Strong, as it respects
State rights, independent of the General Govern
ment, the same as now contended for by Governor
Lincoln, as it respects the disputed soil situated on
the St. Johns. Notwithstanding the doctrine here
laid down, I would recommend all State Govern
ments to accommodate themselves to the views of
the National Government, whenever they can so do
without invading their State rights, which at all
times should be held sacred ; for should they be sur
rendered at one time, on any one occasion, difficulty
may arise, should they not be surrendered on any
other occasion which may arise from time to time.
The sedition and alien laws were considered by ma
ny as encroachments on State rights. Let that be as
it may, I consider the attempt made during the last
term of the General Court, to destroy the right of
appeal from the Municipal, as an attempt upon the
people's rights. I have said, I feel bound to speak
in praise of my rulers, who watch over the people
for good. Yes ! and I feel equally bound to denounce
such as assume to themselves power, especially at
tempt to pass an act for their personal aggrandize
ment, even should the act be for the further punish
ment of felony in the county of Suffolk ; and I view
the author of that bill as one who should be watched,
so long as he remains in the councils of the State ;
for when I once discover the cloven foot, I shall be
careful how I repose too much confidence after (even
should great pretensions to republicanism be made.)
For, where is the man who, when he beheld a dagger
aimed at his breast, that would not cry murder ? and
should the assassin fail of his vile purpose by being

14
timely discovered, 1 ask, why any reasonable man
would again place the assassin in possession of a
dagger ?
For, veiled in darkness, acts tlie assassin's part,
And triumphs much to stab you to the heart.
Feeling myself a true son of liberty, 1 cannot but
rejoice when I behold my neighbours shaking off the
yoke of bondage, who have by one noble struggle
declared themselves a free, sovereign, and indepen
dent State. I cannot expect any people will long
remain subject to any earthly power, except one of
their own choice, especially when such souls as Bol
ivar, the Washington of South America, are found to
lead them onward to victory and independence.
Where is one, a descendant of that noble race of
men who fought on Lexington common, or on yon
der proud heights of Charlestown, but feels his
bosom heave with feelings of the purest enthusiasm
when he reflects his ancestors were the first to light
up the lamp of liberty, under the guidance of the
immortal Washington?
Assisted by the generous, brave, and disinterest
ed Lafayette. I repeat, where is one, a descendant of
those mutt i w in the cause of liberty, but rejoices
when he beholds the lamp of liberty, first light up
in the town of Boston, now shedding its light to lands
which long have in darkness laid ; when he hears
them exclaim :
" Columbia ! Columbia ! to glory arise,
The Queen of the world, and Child of the skies."
Yes my friends I know you rejoice, when you
behold other Nations imitating the example set
by your fathers, especially when you hear them in
voke the great master spirits, of Washington and
Adams, to smile on their cause. While you see
them raise their hands to heaven for such souls to
be reared in their lands as lived in the days of '75.
I cannot but rejoice when I cast my eyes upon

16
ancient Greece, and behold so many of her enemies
dead at their feet. I cannot but conclude the god of
liberty is about to light once more upon them, and that
she will again resume her elevated standing among
the Nations of the earth, and that the arts will again
flourish in her land. That after ages will have
cause to say as our Fathers have been compelled to
acknowledge ! from them proceeded those polished
arts which tame the rude and calmed the savage
mind. And when they have obtained the object
which they now contend, may they remember it
was pride and the keeping a standing army in time
of peace which destroyed the glory of their Fathers.
Do I not hear some one in this assembly say the
speaker has forgot this address is in commemoration
of the ever to be remembered 19th of April! and
that we are assembled to call to mind that date
1775; when boys became men at the approach of
an invading foe, and the aged became fired with
vigor of youth. Even the decrepid threw down
his crutch and shouldered his musket, and taught
those tools of royalty the ground on which they
stood, was holy ground, and none but freemen was
entitled to tread its soil. In proof of this they held
themselves in readiness to shed their b'est blood, in
defence of its hallowed soil. I know not how many
will agree with me when I assert, the soil of Lexing
ton was hallowed at that day. It is certain I risk
nothing, when I assert its soil was always too sacred
to be trod by those enemies to its peaceful inhabi
tants, who always possessed energy to resist tyrant?.
Should those red-coated gentry again visit Lexing
ton with intentions similar to those of 19th April, '75,
they would find the children had inherited the spi
rits of their fathers, inspired with additional vak ur,
knowing, beneath that soil, consecrated by the blood
of their fathers in the first strife for liberty, has recent
ly had additional value added to its soil, by contain
ing the sacred remains of our beloved Eustis, who,

16
although dead, yet shall he forever live in the hearts
of his countrymen, who stand ever ready to deal in
stant death to the first who should dare disturb his
sweet repose.

NATIONAL SUBJECT, N°* 1.

The author of the above Address, takes this opportunity to an
nounce to his fellow-citizens, and the public generally, that he in
tends to pronounce an Address, embracing all the important events
of the revolutionary, as well as of the late war, in obtaining and
maintaining our great National Independence. As it is the FIFTI
ETH ANNIVERSARY, much is to be done on that day. He will
commence at five o'clock, A. M. in order to stir up their minds, by
way of remembrance.

YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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