Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-11-05
ly worth permanent possession, and Pfo'ee'
led by the jealousy Of her neighbours.

ly worth permanent possession, anu PfoscS- I
led by the jealousy of her neighbours.
We stand the latest, and, IL we fail, ?roba-
bly, tho last experiment of self government by
he people. We have begun II under circuin
stances of tho most auspieious nature. We
are in the vigour of youth. Our efowth has
never been checked by tie expressions Of
tyranny. Our constitutions have never been
cnfeeblcd by the wees OF luxuries of the old
world Such as we are, wo have been from
the bcginnIng simple, hardy, Ihloilgent, ac-
cust0med to sellg0yornment aud seli-respect.
Tho a AiantIc rolls between rs and any iorni-
dabe foe. Within our own territory, stretch
ing through many degrees OF latitude and lon
gdude, We have the choice Of many products,
and many means Of Independence. Tho gov
cfpment snnd. Tie press is free, Religion
b. free. knowledge reaches, or may reach,
ever, home. Nh0t ia.rcr prospect Of success
could be presented! What I1uans more aGe-
quaio 20 accDmpii4h the sublime end? What
Ilofc Is necessary, than ilr the people 10 pre-
serve what they themselves have created!
Already has tho ago caught the spirit of
our instttat one. II has already assembled the
Andes, and auuiad the bre,zos Of both oceans.
f. hl7 mG.od iaolf INTO the life blood Of Eu-
rapo, aad warmed tho sunny plains of Fr;aco,
and the low lands oil Holland l. has touch
Gl tie phAophy OF Germany and The North,
and, mu.iHg onward t3.,io S1Ih, baa opened
TO Greece lAa loa.oHs o. hcf better days.
Can It be that America uudJr sucn cr.um-
9'uucgs can bC'ray hetsol2 ihIt She IS to bo
added 10 the catalogue OF Republics the IN
scupiiom upon whose ruin is, They were,
lat they afe not" Forbid il, my country
men forbid it, Heaven.
call upon you, fathers, by the shades Of
your ancestors, by the dear ashes which repose
in this precious soil by all you arc, and all YOU
hope to be +; resist every project of disunion,
resist every .ncloachment upon your Liberties,
RESIST every attempt to fettcr your consciences,
smother your public schools, or extngush
your system of public instruction.
call upon you mothers, by that which ne
vcr fails IN woman, the love Of your offspring /;
teach them, as thcy climb your knees or lean
On your bosons, the blessings of liberty
Swear thCm at the altar, as with their baptism
al VOWS, to be true TO their country, ana never
10 forgot or 10 0rsakc her
| call upon you, young mon, TO remember
whose sons you are whose inheritance you
possess. Life can never be too short, which
brings nothing but Disgrace and oppression. -
Death never comes too soon, If necessary IN
defence of the liberties Of your country.
call upon you, old men, for your counsels,
and your prayers, and your benedlctions.-
May not your grey hairs go down in sorrow to
tho grave with tho recollection that you have
lived in vain. May not your last sun sink in
tho west, upon nation of slaves.
MOI read in the destiny Of my country far
better hopes, far brighter visions We, who
arc now assembled here, must soon be gather
cd to the congregation of other days. The
timo Of our departure is at hand, to make way
for our children upon tho theatre Of life.-
May God speed them and theirs. May he,
who at tho distance Of another century, shall
stand hare to celebrate this day, still look
round upon free, happy and virtuous peo-
pie. May he have reason to exult as we do.
May he, with all tho enthusiasm Of truth as
Of poetry. exclaim, that here is still his coun-
try,-
"Zeaous. yet modest; innocent, though free
Patient Of toll serene amidst alarms;
lnle1ible in faith inyincible IN arms"