The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-07-11
AN GRAFTON,
By JOHN HILL SMITH; DELWERBD
44T THE CAPITOL, IN REDMOND, ON
TIE ara OF july, 1901.
FsisNDs AND FELLow-CrrIzENs,

dWtul O@SSAOI. W = III OF
the mon memorable event which the hiftory OF
any nation or any age has recorded. This is
the anniversary of that glorious revolution which
freed ms from the fervile yoke of Britain, and
proclaimed ms an independent and happy peo-
pie. On this eventful day America BURT her
vile letters, and opprefIions dark clouds, which
had long ihrouded our land, fed before the RI
6ng light of freedom. The birthday of liberty,
the eva of the downfall of defpotifin, now dawns
ON us in its full iplendor. The annual return of
this memorable day, calls loudly for the graft
tude of AmeriCa--lct it be devoted to the pied
hing occupation of retracing the fcenes OF our
Infancy, of reviewing our itruggles for indepen-
dence, & of contempla ing the boundleis fcene of
bappinefs which our country now preients-let
the voice of freedom on this day be heard from G.
very part the continent-let us never ceafe to
rejoice +" that amidf the long catalogue of GALA
mites and crimes which blacken human an
sc nails, the year l77o affords one ipot on which
the eye of humanity may. with complacency,
dwell.' To rejoice at the victory of freedom
and to celebrate the overthrow of tyranny, are
the rational employmeuts of liberal and enlight-
ened minds.
1t is, Fellow-Citizens, for thefe interefirg
purpoies that we are now convened. Wenlcet
to teltify JOY at the event OF OUR revolution,
and to evince our gratitude for the happinefs
70 literally beitoSed on us. To deIineate
thecauies of our feparation from Great Britain,
to point out the origin, the objects and the con-
iequenccs OF our revolution to trace our pro-
greis from provincial fervitude to national hber-
ty, has been the plea6ng though arduous talk
allotted TO me. The perfua6on that youth and
inexperience have juf claim to indulgence, and
that you will regard rather the mighty theme,
than the feeble advocate, could alone have indu-
ced me to contribute by my voice towards the
general exprefon of JOY which this day calls for.
rife with reluctance on this location, from
conviction that no power of eloquence can
heightcn the luftre of the American revolution,
nor the mon brilliant imagination draw por-
trait which has not been already anticipated by
your feelings or fuggeRed by your reflections.
, The very mention of the anniversary of Ameri-
can independence mutt awaken all the generous
emotions of the foul, and kinde holy enthuii-
aim in every bofom. Wb0, without feeling the
facred triumph of freedom, views his infant
country row grooming under the yoke of Euro
pean defpotfm, but increafng in population, in
frength and in greatnefs-now rifing with I'M
daunted refoution in the cauie of liberty, and
nihering into the world political revolution,
which like an irreiiftible torrent bore down the
barriers of monarchical ambition, and fwept in
to pronifcuous ruin, the complicated apparatus
OF tyranny! W6o, but regards with wonder our
former deftitute and abiect condition, and our
Prefent independent and happy fate We have
riien from the loweft, the humblef grade of CO.
Ionial fube6ion, to the elevated ftation of natl
onal freedom and happinefS-But we feern
not fISdenly to have attained this eminence.
There were gradations in our progrefs from
Z. favery to liberty, from infancy to manhood
AT one period we behold our ancefors but few
in number, fcattered over widely extended
country, and purifying their ordinary donIefic
and local occupations without daring to look
forward to time when they might eta
biiih free and equal government for themfelves.
But when maternal oppre5Fon had routed diff
content and jealoufy, the American faw his in
jured rights; began to contemplate redreis, and
the dawn of freedom appeared. At more add
sanced period, purified by the relentless cruelty
of BIitifh periscution, the American began to
it1uggle for liberty; TO oppofe that authority
Whole objett was opprefiion and not protection,
and at length threw off that colonial fubie6tion
which prejudice had taught him was the bond
of nature.
A regular ferries OF events feem to have pre-
cedsd and introduced the American revolution
AT period when the defpots of Europe, of A.
IA & of Africa, " fecure & fccptred in the fouls
fertility" dreaded not the bold champions of
ndependence-when freedom feemed to have
been almoft banihed the world, and the hideous
figure OF anarchy, or the gloomy moniter of def
potifni to have ufurped her feat-Columbus,
directed by his fl1blime genius, purifying his diff
coveries with bold and enteIprfng fpirit, at
tHOlS WcttSrn 1DOreS at length
penetrated to new and unknown country
which in the progrefs of time was defined to
become :" the chofen land, the laft retreat of
freedom amidlt world enfiaved." Little did
he iuppofe that favage and unimProved Ameri-
ca, would ever excel the old countries of Eu-
rope in political greatneis, or rival them in arts,
agriculture, fcienceand civilization. lie viewed
his difcovery a laudable and fuccelsfu enter
pute, bui did not fuppofe that it would become
the ever-fowing iource of happinefs to his fpe-
cies.
As foon, however, as the different nations of
Europe were informed of the difcovery OF an
exteiIf:ve, fertile, unimproved and almoh unin-
habited country--ofa country remote from the
tPhere Of eaftern oppre6ion, they felt the full
force of their own calamities, perceived the
chains which they had for ages worn unlcen, &
painted for the enjoyment of freedom. The diff
Sovery of this continent opened to them new
world IN whichthey might 81 an altarto liberty.
The titusticn of America was peculiarly calcn-
lated toentice therelidence of emigrants, &to at
tractthe eltabliihment of colonies In thiscountrv
there was no. deipot to +" ride in triumph over
the eHflaved multitude" no narrow fyftem of
laws TO fetter induGry, cramp the exertions of
iaoour, or retriGt mutual and profitable com
merce. On the contrary, America preGented
wide theatre for exertion, an extenfve country
Jvh Tod en-, = tt.