Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-08-17
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GRAFTON

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GRAFTON
Delivered on the Anniversary of the Fourth OF
July, by NORRIS B,uKBEcK. Esq.
| My Friends and .Neighbors--
The period of FIVE years has elapsed
since l became an inhabitant Of Ameri-
ca--,he season of probation has expired,
and may now presume to address you
as fellow citizens.
The opportunity thus afforded me by
the partially of my friends, to come for
ward on this interesting occasion, is il
perfect accordance with my feelings,
however poorly may be qualified for
the Office assigned me.
| | stand here-not as the advocate Of
| freedom, though such have been from
my earliest recollection, for, here, free
| dom needs no advocate--i stand as the
organ of our mutual congratulations on
The absolute indcieasibc enjoyment of
this, the chief OF earthly blessings. The
subject has such complete possession OF
my faculties, as to leave 10 space for
vanity, and but little for difidence.-
What, indeed, is the orator OF this occa-
sion, when viewed in connection with his
| theme?
Millions of freemen are at this mo-
ment assembled, as with one accord, in
every depaTm ent OF this great Republic,
! to celebrate the return of that day, which
may emphaticai,y be called--the day of
political redemption. Other millions,
spread over the vast regions of the
| Southern Continent, are also, al this mo-
ment, conlepding for their righis-in ibe
very agony Of the conflict. May the re-
suit be as happy as that which we are
now assembled to commemorate Let
a fellow feeling Cor our brother men,
who are now engaged in trcn endous
struggle for The independence which we
have accomplished, give dignity to our
Joy on the present occasion, and temper
| it with sobriety; and let gratitude, ascend
ing to the great Disposer Of events, for
our own deiivcrance, be mingled with
heartfelt aspirations that they, too, may
persevere until they have Obtained the
victory and tina, they may have wis
! dom to secure, as we'll as courage TO
achieve, their liberties.
Many noble instances are recorded, OF
successful co.nba,s on the side of free
dom. Tyrants have been dethroned, and
systems of oppression have been swept
| away--but il has been 10 make room for
other tyrants-tor other notifications Of
servitude
OF Liberty secured, as we'll as acquir-
ed, our revolution, (ours, for my hear,
was in it from lis commencement our
revolution has afforded the only esta-
blished precedent since the beginning of
history. This people has wisdom as
we'll as courage. The rights they re-
covered they retained inviolate-surren-
dering them 70 no master, Or aristocracy
of masters. To an aristooracy they in
deed entrusted them, but twas to one of
nature's creation, selected by common
suffrage and accountable for tho trust.
Deputation and responsible lty-ihese
are the essential characters of just and
legitimate governments. Every depar-
ture from these is step towards tyran-
ny; it is high treason against our own
proper sovereignty; an attempt at politl-
cal suicide which has always been made,
and, sooner or later, has always succeed
ed, the solitary instance Of the North
American Republic only excepted.
Long may Heaven avert from us this
deplorable catastrophe! and it soiH be
averted so long as we retain what we now
Rhold-the entire possession and guardian
ship of the fountain of power--that is to
say, as long as we remain faithful to our
selves. But, the moment we concede to
portion of the community, be 1t to one
or to many, uncomfortable and exclusive
privileges, or tolerate their assumption,
that moment we cease t" be free.
| We are assembled, this day, not as an