The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-07-13
[Vol. 26
GRAFTON.
GRAFTON,
Delicered IN Seitudte on tie late Anniver.-
'ary Of Ameriean independence, by
GEORGE Turner, ESQ.

GEORGE Turner, ESQ.
FFILow CITIZENS
We are assembled on an interesting oc.'
casion to celebrate an event distinguish
cd IN our hlstory-to keep the great Jubi-
lee OF our nation. Though we constitute
but very small portion Of the millions of
freemen, who at this moment, in this codn.
try are similarly employed yet it becomes
US seriously to consider in what manner we
can best acquit ourselves of our duty, under
such circumstances.
The polite and pressing invitation, which
through your committee has been rendered
to me, to address you on this day, has been
gratefully accepted; and could not have
been well declined; although its acceptance
has been, necessarily, attended with some
inconvenicnces, and sacrifices Of PERSONAL
aud professional nature; that invitation was
accepted not because it could be imagined
that should bring to the task, any especial,
andpeculiar powers of oratory, or eloqucnce
to delight the ear or impart to you any
thing new on the subject of American In
dependence, TO instruct the understanding
by mo no such powers are affected
no such attempt will be made but it was.
because it is always pleasant, and sometimes
profitable to have free communication OF
sentiments on the great and prominent
events, as well Of the present, as of past
times; events brought about by the ius,ru-
mentality of our ancestors; events in which
we now have and feel deep Interest; and
which are to operate to a. commanding
but unknown extent, upon our postcrity,
and perhaps on the whole world.
OF the causes which led to the American.
Revolution, and the Declaration of Indc.
! pcndcncc Of the Colonies, whether remote
or immediate, it is unnecessary now To
speak; they are alike matters of history
and 1t would be scarcely less than an i'm
parchment of your understandings, and,
an insult to your feelings, MS Americans.
and Rhode-Islanders, to suppose any of
you uniformed on that point; therefore if
would be useless tdDlwell on, or even to re-
capi'ulate TINT long series of exactions, i'm
positions, and expressions, practised upon
these, then Colonies, by the British Gov
crnment; which first goaded them into re-
sistance and rebellion, and finally compelled
them TO shake of all allegiance to the Brit
ish Crown: The document you have this
day heard read, written by one of the most
tuicn,ed and revercd statesmen this country
has produced, enumcrates the most prutlii--
ncnt Them, within force, andin language
hardly to be surpassed; and while, in me-
II would be presumption to attempt ever to
initiate, far more to excel. Besides il is not
only the Historian who has seized on alr
the topics connected with that event, and
spread them out at length, and in their ap-
propriatc deformity before the American
people, and the rest Of the reading world =
but thousands Of Orators, of every grade Of
intellect on Fifty more returns Of this Ami
versary, have united in painting them all
with the establishment that t.poetry, and el-
oquence could supply; yet, with all the f.
deity of Truth herself The records Of
them is too indelibly imprinted upon all our
minds; and constitute too striking por-'
ton of the History of our times, to require
more than passing notice.
But, If a different course had been mark
ed out, and pursued at this time, and on this
occasion; and il all these CAUSES, had been
canvassed in detail and at length it could
have amounted at last, to no more than the
representation to you of picture, showing
the exercise of wanton tyranny and oppres-
sion on the one side and patient endurance
and long suffering of injustice on the other
Nor, is it proposed, that the instant, the
immediate, and the soul string INCIDENTS
Of the Revolutionary war, shouidbc the cx-
tent and limit, to which our attention should
be confined; we may with perfect safety,
pass by the scenes produced by our war Of,
Independence, without entertaining any
fear, either that they will lie forgotten, or
not duly and adequately estimated for
taken together, and collectively, they re-
mind us, and will ever do so, of an amount
of sacrifice Of human life, of peace and
tranquility of the destruction OF property,
and the devastation Of magnificent coun-
try, by FIRE and sword; by famine and trca-
sou, on the ole part; and Of that stem and
, c,oross;oe spirit of patriotism, which, in a