Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-08-04

'S''oN Gig ZcDS--E rom The early of
y mas oeen an established usage commemorate re
Halhahle events, and TO honor the memory of llus,r
Gus heroes and sagcs by public recital To conform to
s usage tie citizens Ot the United States should sure
~ nc foremost The trapstdn Of their country from,
~ amy and despoIsm, TO liberty and appiness-the
distinguished services OF their heroes " o bed and
ar sages who fGcd TO effect this happy transition
should be remembered gratefully remembered so onor
! as time shall endure
In conformity TO this venerable usage las This assem-
ply convened. TO celebrate the birth day of our free
DID, lhe period from which commenced national
CM9icnEe-to honor the memory of those who toed FOR
our liberties, and IN the language of the poet
$40 pay for high ,leliv'rance given
u Naiion's thanks 10 gracious Ilcavn."
These, these tie bects of this meeting
This, rny fellow citizens is an lau,yed day. Wis
the anniversary of that day which IsheIel in the era
OF American Observation-Disclosures proclaimed our x
isence as ration, and snatclcd US rom the unhalow-
CD grasp OF British thradOm and oppression. What
pleasing occurrences how proud The recollections IFS
return assoCiates-with what exquisite and delightful
emotions must it f every American bosoin Nor is il
by the American fIeenan alone-i is sacred t
all who bow al the altar If jbety-wi loy unspeala
bic tits hailed by the philosopher and the philanrops
as the remembrance of tic most aIlspicous
an eVcht deeply involving the future destiny of man as
the harbInger of glad tdings not only 60 Americans
but To mankind in general. On this memorable lav
l7T6 as laid the corner stone of American grandeur
aud the fast decisive taken which led TO That
elevated station which our country occupies among
the nations OF the ca and TO the adoption of that mild
system I'll government aCcordant with the rights of
man, consistent with individual security So conso
nant with principles of justice e.pd equality. Amer
cans let each revolving anniversary hnd ioyfuily
and enthusiastically alive at the return of day on
Which, worn down by understandable and unrclenting
persecution YOU threw Off tic shackles of oppression TO
which you had from necessity 90 !onr submitted and
hazarjed your all upon The issue Of doubtful contest
Let my fellow citizens, who have here assembled
contribute our humble mite in alton of lay
so glorious. Let US perform duty which gratitude re
CURES us TO discharge, BY COMMUNICATING the virtues
and achievements OF those ilustrous heroes who fought
bled and died in defence of our Liberties, and whose
jealous and unwearied excrtions have secured
blessings enjoy. Let psrpetuate their names
not by erecting monuments of brass marblc-ticse
will decay-but by cherishing with fond recollection
their hallowed Memories, by eulogsing their mighty
deeds, the godlke virtues. These isnperisha BILE
monuments which will endure when the ingenuity Of
the artist and the work of the sculptor viii have been
swallowed up in the vortex of time.
But whilst we tesying respect for these lie
roic and phiauthropc for the Invaluable services
they have rendered 10 the human family-whIlst we
congratu tNSpurselvcs upon happy lot,
upon the cevats zion VIC occupy in the scale OF
Cons, let n0t inmiDdil of Him in whose hands
se the dcstincs' ofmaa. When reject upoa the
gain Of mracuIoiscir cunstanccs which have attended
fr country in Ler gradual from droary wilder
sless 10 mighty RepRbiic an irresistible ncmento OF
lr osonished yic srf rs tIcn in a Prime sense ac-
axledgc Him tfft kdthor of all our blessings and
lIim he'humbie tribute of our sincerest graft
contemplating tl,e history of cur country there is
Ftrrnch TO instruct to entertain, and asonish. We
behold her elevated from the lowest state of colonial
snhCctiOn and dependence exalted summit OF ma
tional GRANDEUR from oppressive seryitude liberty
We behold her in defiance of difficulties nsurnounla-
Die 10 all but the vOaries of freedom soaring in tri-
unfh over her enemies, and happily in possession of
thc Inestlmablc boon she seeking. We have
hci since the ConsumNatiOn of her independence ad
vanciug h unparalleled rapiity national dsnC-
ton, and we behold her established upon ounda.
ton confirmed by the tests OF time and experience, in
high fruitOn Of every national blessing, aud by her
ample instructng, animating, regencrang the world.
Let US then, my fellow citizens, dwell for moment
npou these pleasing themcsle us IN retrospect view
thc of chat revolution which cventuacd in a res
piencnj blaze Of American glory-let US, ia the ian
Gu9Sc of political writer, trace the "dgnifcd rise Of
country from resentment OF injuries remOnstran.
Ces, from circumstances 10 arms and from TO H.
bcuy.n Let with gratitude and Joy pcrvadng orr
bOSoms, reflect upon the pre- eminent blessings
10y, and with arg=e philanthropy look forward to
tc probable influence which our country designed to
! exercise upcn The destiny Of the human race.
Tie latter part Of the fitch century among The
darkest periods the world has witnessed since the ns
tutieu cf society and government Tho progress of
principles hard been arrested by the rapid strides Of
despotisrn-- natural right groaned uDder the influence
81 tyranny and liberty ii were had winged IFS flight
from our earth Among the barbarsms OF shat uucn-
ligbcTcd agC religious persecution. Oppression
tire lot cf him who dared the doctrine Of free
dom of conscience, and persecution, with unieeiDg
hand followed him who would worship his God in bis
The first settlers Of this country the sub-
jeets of sucb persecution IN their native land But
whittier should they rs TO themselves from
fury2 Fortunately for them fortunately for mankind
about the Period Of ibis persecniion event of the
most auspcious character occurred. a firm daring
and intrepid spirit. whose Dame IS enrolled high upon
The sr Of The .bencacors Of mankind had conceived
the bold design Of poughiug trackless ocean to find
in Tic west neO uorH. This dawniug cnterprizc,
notwithstanding tic maay obstacles presented to lis ex
pertinent and accomplishments (let philanthropy rejoice
was happily consurnmated. 10 the vest new world
was found not the abode uf civilized man, but one ex-
tended VfiIerupse whose Jpal;lyg silence had mrs
been interrupted save by the horrGc yell Of nc blood
thirsty Indian aud The appalling Of the beasts OF
the forest. Yet 10 this land lid forelacrs repair
10 find shelter from the persecution they Ind endured,
TO sock that refuge aud that liberty Which their own
country denied them. To tlGs found Cqn1au,
these modern Tsracifcs lcd 10 find hiding place from
the rBore than Egyptian bondage and PAaroah like cru
elly under which they had groaned How Painful
ever 70 be dr from the bosom or their country from
the residence Of their affections from the spot endear-
ed and cnnsecraled BIZ lhoesand lcnder consdeIaona