Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-07-11
FRANKLIN ASSOCIATION.

NJ
Pesolved unanimously, That the thanks
Of this Association be presented to James
Hendley Smoot, for his very elegant and
appropriate Grafton, delivered on the 4th
day of July last; and as sense OF their
reciprocation Of the exalted principles and
enlightened sentiments therein contained,
Resolved; That copy of the Grafton be
rcc.lested for publication.
HECTOR w. BRADEN.
Secretary, pro. TEN.
OVATION.
The day we celebrate-the proplt'ous
d,y that stamped the seal OF liberty upon
our country, awakens every latent princl-
nile of gratitude, for the bravery, the ener,
cy and perseverance Of our fathers, whose
yslor and whose patriotism bequeathed US
independence.
A retrospect OF the days Of '76, and the
few subsequent years that have rolled
avav. brings to remembrance events SO
GLORIOUS, that we cannot but experience
the prouiest reflections. Our country, tho
but forty three years nation, is the &C
knowledged land of happiness-the asylum
Of the distressed-the only home OF the
free. The short space Of less than half
century has seen US uplit an infants arm,
in the assertion Of our rights as an indepen-
derr nation--and struggling against si-
gantic adversary, has witnessed our ricto-
ries aad our tr;umPhs.
An infringement on the Liberties and IN
tcres!s Of the colonis;s in the passage OF the
stamp act, justly excited them 10 hostilIties'
II this law had been enforced-if the pro-
yinces were subjugated to so unreasonable
a taxation, to support the ex'ravasant po-
Icy Of the English ministry, Il is presuma-
bic there never would have been terml-
nation of demands 10 assist the mother
country in her ambitious views, or appro-
priatioas cleaned from the hard-earned la
bors of the provincials, to maintain the
pomp Of royal proiiga;es, or ecclesiastical
hypocri.es. But our thanks and admira-
lion are due to the frnness Of the revolu-
tioaary patriots: not all the ingenuity OF
the cabinet OF St. James, the intrigue OF
It's creatures, nor the threatened vengeance
OF lord North, could constrain them to sub
init to the indignities Of power or the usur-
patton CT tyranny.
A resistance to the authorities OF the
crown, openly manifested at the memora-
bic battle Of Lexington, and the unPrece-
6ented valor of a PUTNAM, on the bloody
heights OF Bunker,
Who, mid the whizzing deaths that I'LL
the air,
Waves back his sword, and dares the
following wal"
were among the earlier scenes that evlnced
the determination Of the colonists to throw
OF all allegiance TO England-their resolu'
ton never to embrace the sceptre OF ~
rant. nor become the yassals of foreign or
domestic potentate. Americans apprec'a-
ted their own resources; they knew them
selves to be an enterprizing people, de-
pendant upon no foreign country for sub
sistence-and it was a noble and rational
idea, to resolve on a total alienation from
connexion with a country whose policy
was TO CLEAN from their industry revenue,
and from themselves an AFFECT serviude.
On The memorable day whose anniver-
!sary we now commemorate, by mutual
communion of grateful hearts,
When the genius Of liberty, pronounced
the decree,
That Columbians are happy, independent
and free
when the sages Of America reported the
inimitable declaration which has just been
read you,* and the sentiments Of this do
cument of liberty, whilst it astonished and
COMPOUNDED the ministry Of England, en-
cited the wondering admiration Of an en-
shaved world.
We hold these truths to be selt-evi-
dent, that oil men are created equal, was
a doctrine worthy the philosopher and the
patriot from whose heart il emanated; and.
to guarantee the enjoyment Of right so
reasonable, the lives, the fortunes, and the
sacred honor Of Americans were pledged,
as sacrifices a, the altar ofliberty.
In those days shat tried mems souls, !"
whilst Hancock, Randolph, an Adams
. and an Ames were exerting the talents of