Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1837-12-12

at Marathan contendng for their hearths
and their liberties against foreign inva'
der, by whom they were almost pressed
to the earth, left the field of battle to the
Athenian matrons to bear the tidings, that
their fathers, husbands and sons had nobly
resisted the foe, had fought, and gloriously
J triumphed Sustained, buoyed up by the
inspiring intelligence, he arriveda Athens,
neverthe exhausted, covered with dust
and blood-gathered strength for mo-
ment to utter his tidings, and expired at
the market-place, telling his tale of victo-
ry. | come before you under somewhat
similar circumstances, and should too
expire after proclaiming what have to
announce, should feel that. my death
Ae happy, should die tn'a glorious
,.ase, and my last breath would be ex-
pended in giving publicity to the noble
deeds ofregenerated freemen.
For the first time, Sir, | stand in this
cradle of liberty the city of Boston. For
the first time, behold that hill whose name
the blood of Warren has rendered immor-
tai. For the first time my humble voice is
heard in that hall which has so often rung
with the eloquence of Hancock, Warren,
Otis, and that fearless asserter Of the
rights Of the people, the older Adams
For the first time tread in the land Of
Hancock, whose very name should be a
rebuke to the minons Of power who have
dared to abuse and Willy the merchants.
In the presence almost Of that princely
merchant,--(Mr. II. here turned to the
/ picture Of Hancock, which was suspended
over the back of the chairman,) in con-
templating whose character we find that
the study and practice Of Grecian and Ro.
man virtues, are not Incompatible with the
chivaIrous feelings, and elevated pursuits
of the class to which he belonged! That
Hancock, who, with Adams, was proscri-
bed and excluded from the act Of amnesty;
who sustained the liberties and adhered to
the destinies of the country through good
report and through evil report; who was
the soul of the revolution, and who be-
came the first signer Of the best instru-
ment the world has ever known!
But will not trespass on your time and
patience except TO announce to you that
New York has done her duty! How could
it be otherwise? There was Massachu-
sets always standing firm, unequalled in
patriotism, unsurpassed in wisdom
There, she stood, unfurling her virgin ban
ner, without stain & without spot, melting
us to emulate her noble example! She
cheered us on-she invited US to partake
with her a common contest and common
victory--she engraved on the heart of
every freeman the nobIest sentiments of
one of her nobest sons, Gone Constitu-
tion--one country--one deStinyW There |
was Vermont, by the side Of Massachu-
sets! There too was Maine! Degener-
ate Maine had at last woke from her long
sleep Of degradation and slavery at the
sound of the oppressor's voice, and with
one bound had leapt into life and beauty
of freedom!
Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, held
out their hands to welcome US! They told
us what the freemen of the West had done!
They beckoned US to tread with them the
path of freedom and glory! How could
we stay? We could not-we did not!-
we came--and the Empire State has now
taken her stand in the foremost rank of
liberty, ready to do and die in the cause
of the country.
We haze beaten hem--in their own State
their power has been crushed! The power
of the people has reached them! The de-
cree of destruction has gone forth, and by
the flashes of lightning cleaning from
every quarter of the horizon, may they
read the hand writing on the wall! New
York has left them and marched to her
sister States. Receive her, fellow citizens,
as you have received her humble repre-
sentative. She has sinned long, but she
must be forgiven! She is a mighty and
noble State, and can stand by the side Of
Massachusetts. The same banner must
stream over her which spreads its ample
folds over you---the banner Of the C0nSti-
tuition and LdtcS! And whether that hal
lowed flag shall droop in defeat, or whether
it shall float in triumph, New York will
still be found side by side with Massachu-
setts! She will do her duty-She WiH do
her duty and her whole dutyi
One word more in acknowledgment Of
the kindness you have shown to me. In
the name Of the city represent | thank
you. In behalf Of the Wings of that city, 4
as glorious and gallant band as ever
breathed the air Of Heaven, | return you {
my most sincere thanks! From my own /
heart most heartily thank you-and .
will eyince the sincerity Of these profess t
sions by proving, in the only way now left s
me, my gratitude for your kind attention, '
by taking my seat and trespassing no q
longer on your patience" G
This address was constantly interrupted |
by peals Of applause; and when Mr.. Hof- /
man sat down, the old walls rang with d
shout louder and lonuar thu boe e.. .,,,,,.e | 1.