Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-09-01

deaths, held that city, Monday the 3Ist of Jlv
1875; by WILLIAM ALEXANDER DUER.
Never, Americans, since we became a people, has
any portion of our countrymen convened on an oc
cason more impressive and interesting than the present
but a few weeks ago, we united with our fellow citi
zens from one end of this vast contnen, to the other
10 Celebrate IN respective spheres, the Jubilee of
our freedoms and whilst in the temple of the living God
we poured forth slanks To him for the BLESSING.
or at The festive board recalled the names and recon
led tile deeds, of the Instrumental in nro
ducng II; the two veteran statesmen the most eminent
amongst the surviving pairarchs af the Reyolnon.
who, next TO ashingon, had in succession held the
highest station IN the government; EACH in his turn
IKE him Receiving 1t. as the best reward the people
could bestow: both these ilusrious patriots m tho
same DAY, within lew hours of each other and at the
completion of the e,i year, since they lad topeor
mat declaration, from which their country dates
its Independence; both in extreme old age (as II their
lives had been preserved 10 that Jay were
by the gentlest and similar transitions renov cd
from tins earthly scene, and with equal TRANQUILITY
each yielded his immortal spirit to the HAND that
gave it.
ln this splendid coincidence of events my country
men; In this unparalleled concurrence of tupendons
circumstances; what candid and enlightened mind
what grateful and ingenious heart, hesatcs 10 &C.
knowledge an OSnniscent and bcnisn1nt Providence,
or who fails TO perceive from the position or prospects
OF his own, or Of some other country, purpose worthy
the nterpositiun of experimenting Deit,e Had Of
tle of these great and venerable men been
TO the world of Spirits the day that both departe
or mad they, on any othor day, expired together: il
"ou'u III case, nave seemed sufficient
our wonder. BY some, il would have been hailed as
an omen of good fortune and received by Others as n
demonstration OF dcync regard. But is there one
amongst US, who when he heard rumourcd that the
Two most conspicuous of the three remaining srners
oil the Declaration of independence, and the last sur
vVors Oh those deputed TO prepare it, that Adams and
emerson had both died on the jubilee anniversary of
'ie Gay iiat declaration issued Is there one, ask,
VINO du not disrust the rumour too 10 be
true! And when the report was in every minute mar
ucuar confirmed, is there here who believed these
combined occurrences TO be the effect of cancoo Nc,
ieiloW Citizens There is one. there arenone
here, or elsewhere 10 be found Tie coolest scentic
must have ceased TO Doubt and the daring indeI must
nave begun TO fear, that there an eternal seexis
tent God who with wisdom nscrutable, and irninea-
suraoe power, conrouls the fate of Individuals and
overrules the destiny of nations.
Choer The influence of such feelings, friends and
FELLOW countrymen, have assembled in this sacred
place; not to iameut, but to commemorate orr dead
to contemplate thc example of their lives: and 10
e%pa'iatc on the sublime moral their lives and deaths
have 10th afforded u.s.
No true American, capable of reflection can medi.
tate upon the events Of the last half century without
feeling that his country has enjoyed the peculiar favour
OF the Supreme Governor of the world. AT the com
mencement of that period, immediate ancestors
began to reap the fruits OF that constancv and perse
verance by which their fathers 'sin the old time before
them had been induced TO seek, in the wlls of this
newly discovered continent, asylum from religious
and political intolerance.
They had subdued the forest in the vicinity of tho
shores where their forefaters had landed They had
explored the rivers piercing the nterIninable hills which
seemed ranged as barres against their progress to the
west. ihey had penetrated TO tire fertile plains bcyond
the sources of those rivers, and had discovered others
emptyIng into inland connected will, each other
shHtiHg the northern BORDERS and stretching TO the
western confines OF the land; and they had visited the
ihghty cataract, where the accumulated waters have
overthrow the mountain wall, and forced their pas.
| TO the ocean,
ApPrised thus of the natural benefits of their stua
tion they had not merely become reconcied 10 their
had
'h's land of promise Even The good old pilgrims of
me former race, had confessed that their sines had
fallen IN pleasant Places and bad ceased TO regret the
comforts and reiinements of European civilization.
Their sons bad known their sacrifices or their
prVatons; and Time, the great pcsce-mater had obi
teTated Tie remembrance of their fathers wrongs
For themselves, they enjoyed complete federation in
all matters OF religion, and the essentials of political
and civil liberty had in practice been allowed 10 them
happily increasing IN NUMBERS they were already
strong enough 10 defend themselves against the hos;
TIE tribes sun lurking within their territories; and TO
rope! the inyasons OF civiIised enemies from n
bordering province. They had acquired experience
III war AT home. they had secured peace; and were
steadily advancing in agriculture and all tho
of civil and domestic life. Abroad thew had nursuod
| commerce, which, though restricted bv fhe eaons
spr't OF monopoly, the more profitable from
ne irceT intercourse with their sister colonies in the
siands and from their almost exclusive possession Of
the great fisheries on their own coasts
Improve these advantages, they were blessed with
INDUSTRY frugay, enterprise, and intelligence: and
el"ai PIooy ana skill, they aYaIied themselves OF
all ther physical and moral resources to acquire wealth
ana honor prosperity and happiness. Nor were their
efforts ruthless for they had already become rich and
powerful enough TO excite the cupidy and alarm The
jealousy Ct mother country. revenue was auiempt-
ed 10 be drawn from them, by tc paramount authority
OF British Parliament. Fol though well disposed 10
pear ther lar proportion Of the public burdens when
coh'ithuoDaiiy required the future founders of tho
american Republic were resouc 10 withhold the
contribution even Of nominal sum- when cxao.ed Inv
legislature ~ which they were not represented twas
we principle Tor which they commended The nsepa.
rabe connection between taxation and represenation
was mann ta'ned BY them as fundamental axiom; and
sooner man compromise their unalienae right TO tbe
enjoyment OF their private property without surrender
ng Tie smallest portion Of il for public purposcs. ex
cePt y ihcIr own CONSENT the descendants of IIanp
aem OF Russell, and Of Sidney and tie disciples OF
y, and OF Locke, prepared TO
Stake all they possessed the issue of resistance Tho
great Charter OF English liberty they claimed as their
or-rght us immortal indicators as their ancestors;
and Notwithstanding their affection for the land 10 which
they owed their origin and laws t.r; q, -: