Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-07-04
Joy, Joy IN London City, now.
SHAKESPEARE.
NATIONAL JUBILEE.

NATIONAL JUBILEE.
| Fify-onc years have passed away, since our
ancestors. in solemn council, declared this
country to be free and independent, cast oil
the yoke of naughty Britain, and barring their
bosoms to the storms of war, breasted the tor
rents that opposed them, and set an example,
| which proved to an astonshed world, that men,
when freed from the chains Of vassalage, are
capable Of self government, and can boget
laws and ordinances to regulate their own
conceinments.
five look back, fifty one years, aided by
the historic page, we behold change in the
face Of this nation, which is at once astonish-
ing and sublime. What were we fifty-onc years
| ago. A depressed, and an enslaved peo-
! pie, tampled upon by tho myrrnidons of Eng
land, denied the privilege Of enjoying the rights
of commerce.; borne down by heavy system
of taxaiion; and # we complained, our COM
plants only added to our injuries, and heaped
upon us fresh insults, Disdaining such state
of degradation, our ancestors, "iircd with the
patriots holy fire. declared they would no
longer submit to the tyranny of their pro I'D
masters; burst the fetters that bound them,
cast ofthe CALLING yoke, and aided by an
overriding Power, freed themselves and thea
descendants from bondage.
Fifty-one years ago, our commerce was con-
fined to narrow limits, and the" star sp'ngled
banner" Of our country waved not on The
coasts Of Europe, and our canvass whtened
not the distant seas Of the Pacific, the stormy
Baltic, or the turgid billows of The Indian
Ocean. Dependant upon the bounties of the
mother country, like degraded slaves as we
were, we received whatever she presented to
US, and like the miserable African, toasted
upon the ofals of her table, and thanked her
for her degrading gratuity.
Fifty-one years ago, those regions which
now bear populous cities, and whore the hum
Of industry is heard; where the arts and sci
cnccs flourish; where scminaries Of learning
tower their heads in all the majesty of Euro
pean splendour; where population smiles, and
the earth teens with abundance, the proud
lord Of the forest roamed; the wolf and pan
ther howled, and the silence of the forests was
not disturbed by the stroke of the hatchet, or
the hustle of civilization. But how vast is the
change! And whilst we gaze upon those re-
gions Of the west, and hohold the cities that
decorate the plain, and c,vir~ation subduing
the traces Of savage life, and their vas; re-
sources flowing into the treasury of the nation,
giving us wealth and power, and enabling us
to compete with the most powerful nations Of
Europe, we are led to revere the memory Of
| those who achieved the deeds that led to such
brilliant results-and which in the end, have
consummatcd nations pride and g'ory.
Fifty-one years ago, New-Engand was but
| a solitary portion of creation, mere speck in
the scales of national greatness, and was
looked upon, as mere province, scarcely ca
pable Of defending her rights, and too mid to
resent an insult offered her, by her "liege
lords' and tyrannical masters. Goaded to
the quick, and impatient with privatons, at
an eventful moment her gallant sons declared
| they would be free, or perish in attempting the
accomplishment of their indepcnl ence; and
risking life-fortune-all,t they br vely waged
war against the oppressor, and mingled in
the glorious ailray for Their country's free
| dom. A little spark of the sacred fire of LIB
| ERTY, broke forth at Boston, and swiftly CON-
municatng, warmed the hearts Of the whole
nation; and people, too long oppressed, COM
| menccd the glorous work Of emancipation
They met the foe, they fought and con-
quered laid the proud oppressor low, and laid
the foundation Of those republican institutions
which their descendants so happily enjoy.
To look back ffty-one years, is to contem-
plate all that is noble and sublime, in the histo-
ry of great and free people--it is to contem-
plate deeds Of heroisn, which fiji The ycuthful
bosom with admiration, . nd lead the rising gen.
Grafton to initiate the deeds of Their sircs.
And whilst we contemplate the progress Of
our Nations Glory and greatness, we pause for
moment, to gaze upon tho care-worn checks
Of the remnant Of that band Of patriots and
heroes, who yet remain on this side Of the
grave, and tottering, tell the stories Of the
wars, and who
"Weep DER their wounds; and tales Of sorrow done,
Shoulder the crutch, and show how fields won."
Noble, heroic, and generous Patriots! tits TO
you, that we owe all the privileges we enjoy!
For us you shed your blood, for us you b,a, ed
the foe, and fought like frccmen, and like free
men bled! And shall we, gallan, srcs,--
| heroes of other DAYS shall we ncpeyt the in