The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-06-16

ONCE again, my Friends and Fellow-Citi-
zens, we have met together to hail, with enthti-
Eaftic 10y, nations Happiness. Once again w,
have attended in the fpirit of thofe feelings,
which are excited at the recollection, that amidf
the confuiion and tyranny, the wars and rcvo-
lutions to which the largef & faireft part of the
earth is at this moment fubje6t, cur native
country, endeared to us by indfloluble ties, l.
enjoying uninteruptedly the bleiIings of Peace
and Liberty. Fortunate country that can boat
of fuch blefiings Happy people that live in
tuch country
Take 4 map of the world and fpread it before
you examine the focal condition Gifts various
inhabitants, and the fyfems of government
which rule their deftnies. BE not deceived by
talte and deceittul appearance of contentment
and tranquility, by an illufive and .gmity fplen-
dour, by the glittcring veil of tinfel which fur
rounds the throne of princes, or by the gaudy
trappi.igs of wealth and power which adorn
proud and ignorant nobility. You fearch i'm vain
for private happinefs or public PROPERTY, for
the exerciie of manly independence, or the en-
loyment of rational freedom. Here you may
behold deluded victim of fupertition bending
the fuppliant knee before the fhrne of crafty
Prieft There trembling fave ihakibg his chains
and bowling his fervile neck beneath the iron
yoke of defpotiim or where the faint light of
icience, and an imperfect knowledge of politi-
cal freedom have only 7,aried tie means of OPP
prefion, you may fee corruption iilently ex-
tending its Influence, buying offthe reiiaance on
the part of the people, which had become too
powerful; feducing patriotifin by the alluring
charm of ielf-intcreft and drilling the reprefen-
tatves or great nation, into the puppets of
minifterial jusgler. EDc-y svberr man, the
" dwarf and cripple of courts" withers under
the influence OF arbitrary power; every where
you may find an overgrown hierarchy and an
ffnID Al
1acrlhced to the interefts of the few an aGum-
ing olisarchy trampling on the rights of an OBJ
iequious people.
Next turn your eyes to the fituation of your
own country The fcene is reverted. The g in
fnbfantial pageant" with all its floating fplen.
doris vaniihes like the " ba{elefs fabric of vi
hon." The "folemn mummery" of courts,
the "baby baubles" of pride, are no longer feen,
and the influence of the defpotic fpirit, with
king craft and prieft craft, no longer felt. The
people are here the real fovereigns and the po-
ltical pyramid is fafhioncd by their hands; the
meaiures of government directed by their will.
The facred and unalienable rights of man, re-
cogniied by written contributions and what is
better fill, guarded by a vigilant, enlightened
and independent yeomanry, no longer give place
to the immunities of priefts and the privileges
of mobiles. The American Citizen, at peace
with all the world fave one piratical fate, bur-
constitutional law. fecured in the rights of Dri-
waite property, perfonal iecurity and perfonai Ii
berty, and protected by republican inftitutions
from the Competitors wrong and proud mans
contumely," has reafon to rejoice that he is not
an inhabitant of the eafern hemifphere, convul-
fed and agitated as tits by domeftic difentions
and foreign wars, ftruggling under the load of
accumulated taxes, grooming beneath the yoke
of Egyptian bondage, and amof expiring anith
its own ruins. He may lool. round with pride
and Joy, and fee the face of the country daily
improving, commerce Houriihing, population
rapidly increafing, the nation respected abroad
and united at home, and all the arts and fcien-
ces gradually progreliing. Tocrewn the whole
picture, when he directs his attention to the
constitutional branches, and to the adminitra-
ton of the government, he finds Mr.. Jeferfon,
the author of the declaration ofhiS independence
with his luxurious compeers, at the head of po-
litical affairs; and labouring, with undated
zeal, for the good oftheir common country and
the benefit of mankind. This, Fellow-C Citizens,
is general view of our focal and political con-
dition; but the event which has occafioned this
meeting, defervesmore particular confederation,
and the partially OF forne among you has af1ign-
ed me the arduous, the pleaiing talk ofexplain-
ing its importance, developing the means by
which it was accomplished, and tracing its con-
ne6tion with the interefts, and its influence on
the deftiny of this riiing republic. / am feni-
bic that fhould be unequal to this talk, or at
leaf fhould fail in exciting thofe emotions, the
occaion itfelf is calculated TO infpire, if j did
not perceive that your fenfibility was already
awakened and your feelings interefcd. Surely
then fhall catch if not communicate the gene
rolis fame, and, hurried along by the power of
fympathy, whilft fpesk the language of the
heart, you will perhaps forget that there is a
language ofthe understanding.
Seldom indeed have the brilliant exertions Of
eloquence been employed OH theme like this,
for not once in thoufand years does fuch an
event adorn the pages of hiftory, or grace the
annals of the world. HeEce the orator like the
poet, Whit he has exhaulted his powers in diff
playing the pomp and parade, the glitter and
oftentation of glorious war, has had little to do
within triumphs of principle, however fplend-
id, with the arts of peace, however beneficial ;
and it is to thofe our times he is indebted for
better materials and nobler fubied. Such
wac the emancipation of great people from
the letters of colonial dependence on tie 18th of
July 1776; fuch the revolution in the fentiInents
and opinions of the fame people, and the eie-
vation of our prefent chief magifrate TO the
presidential chair on the 9Th of March 1901 /,
fuch our acquiftion of a mot exteufye and fer
tile territory, by the prudence and moderation,
the wifdom and energy of our government, on
the Goth December ISo4