Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-07-11
WEDNESDAY, JULY II, 1889.
AN ORATION


DeY;rered at the request of the Citizens Of Pis.
eatacau. Prince Georges County. 4Ut on The
An of July 1852, By Samuel NJ S'nn'ss.
Published at the request oil the Committee OF Invitation
The human affections, fellow-citizens. are
strongly Influenced BY public celebrations; and
those. if there be any, who have ielt no enthu'
siasm when their homes were first illuminated ny
the morning radiance OF this Anniversary, Will
catch the inspiration Ut congenlai feelings whilst
participating with others IN the festive rites 10
which the day and its recolectlons are consecrat-
ed. This great national holiday, set apart tor
the commemoration OF events, distinguished.
like our own Revolution, as the sprins-tide of
human rights and liberties, is always attended
with the happest effects. Those party bicker-
ings which disturb the harmony of oar social re.
latlons are silenced. for while at least, and all
hearts are in concord and unison, repete only
with sentiments of patriotism and fellowship.
Greece had her Olympic Games, when bellige-
rent cities suspended their warlike operations
and united, as one people, in common festival.
The story Of that classic land is never SO beauti-
full and interesting as when picturing to the be-
neyolent reader the great social and political
blessings every where diifased, throughout the
Grecisn territory, by the periodical return OF this
important festival.
Rome had her Saturnalia, when the. relations
Of master and slave were momentarily dissolved,
aud the pnor bondsman had the privilege OF as
ser,ing with impani,y his original equality. and
of iu,juIeing, for a while, the buoyant spirit OF
of independence. But no people OF any age or
country can boast an occasion 50 full OF enjoy
ment. "a the occasion. fellow Citizens. which has
called US together. We have met-not like the
Roman bondsmen, TO rejoIce at the dissolution oil
our chains. but disneartened at the gloomy anti
cipation of speedy return to the same CALLING
yilanage; nor yet, as the independent anu en-
liob,ened Grecians, TO contend with each other In
the dexterous exercises of the Gymnasium, or IN
the more glorious competition Tor the palm OF SUI
periority in literature and the hoe arts. We
have no gloomy anticipations, no Jealous rival
nv 20 interrupt the flow OF our festlvity. The
bond of our association IS the love OIL our ccun'
try. The object Of our association is to renew
the evidences of our attachment to our Union
to our happy institutions, and to give assurance
to the world that our government Is SUI advanc.
inp IN the full tide Of successful experiment
The Declaration Of our Independence. fellow
citizens. has inspired some Of the finest produc-
,iops of sung and eloquence, and must always
e,ici, our highest admiration and praise. 1t was
not the offspring Of mpmentary excitement
of feelings suddenly Wrought to the pitch OF des-
pera,ion by the goad of all inhurnan tyranny: 1t
was the production Of men who felt the awful re-
sponsib,lity under which they acted and regu-
lated their deliberations accordingly. Success.
we know, will frequently stamp with the wisdom
If prophecy the actions of those who have given
the first impulse TO revolutions; when. at the
same time, they may have commenced them IN
the kle,sness If despair, and without the least
n,obsbili,v If ever being able 10 bring them into
the desired haven with any OF the rich blessings
winch they promise. 1t is not, however, 10 any
accidental causes that we are indebted for the re-
nn,ation of our fathers. sFne revolution was
flushed before the war commenced. said one OF
the fathers Of our independence; and the pene-
tr,,inx eve of Franklin had seen. three years an
t.rsr to the struggle, that the colonies were COM
orrent to achieve their Independence OF the mo-
;her country whenever they should desire It. 10
l7-S. Doctor franklin was resident IN London
az sernt for the Colony of Massachusetts. Hav-
inc possessed himself of certain confidential
correspund.nce between the Governor and Lieu
tenant Governor of that province, and some OF
their friends in England. he immediately trans
mu,ed II to his constituents, II being important
tina, they should be advised OF the treachery OF
their two highest officers, who were thus princi-
pally enSaTeu VI u o'onSu
q, the total subversion of their chartered rights
The letters were Formally communicated to the
Legislature. and it was, thereupon, almost una
nimously resolved, That the king be petltioned
a, rsmoye these two dignitaries immediately and
foreyer from the government of the province.-
doctor Franklin laid the petition before his Ma
;ssty in Council. Mr. Wedderburn afterwards
Chancellor Of Great Brittany appeared before the
Cou,cil in behalf of the two Governors. Here,
in the presence and with the appreciation OF his
sovereign he aspersed the venerable philosopher
with The rudest insults, and INDUCED in the most
malicious inslnustlons against the whole CONT
nent Of America. franklin bore u all very pa
t;en,Iv; bat as he was leaving the Council Cham
Der. he whispered in the ear OF the Attorney Ge-
neral, 81 viii make your master lille king tor
this. -
Our fathers were renowned for their prudence
and sasacity, and the spirit Of prophecy sat upon
them. They looked abroad upon the face OF ma
tieps; but dark and lowering was the aspect: for