The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-30
GRAFTON OF JAMES BUCHANAN, Esq.
Delivered before The Washington Association Of Ian.
caster, on the All of Juiy, 1915 IT,. "a. "

Thirty-nine years ago, upon this day, decar-
ed independent people. At that tme the Continen-
tai Congress burst asunder the chains which bound
them to Great Britain, and resolved to be free to
perish in the attempt Upon that day, they presented
TO the world spectacle Of wisdom and frmness which
has been excelled.
To make proper estimate Of their conduct we
must take into review the then situation Of this country,
compared with that OF our enemy On the side,
the armies Of Great Britain numerous and vete-
military reputation in every cline they were support
ed aud furnished with every implement Of war, by
nation whose wealth has, upon different occasions,
purchased the services of all the crowned heads in Eu
rope. On the other side, our armies were small and
unacqualnted with military discipline our officers des
ttue OF experience ; and were so mseraby poor,
that our brave soldiers not than half cloth
cd, and their winter Marches the frosty ground
which they defending could be traced by the blood
that flowed from their naked feet.
But even these were not the only disadvantages
der which we labored. Whilst our enemy invaded us
from without the torch Of discord and treason was
lighted up within. When independence declared,
the mother country had powerful party throughout all
the Middle States and many adherents in every other
part Of the Union
Dreadful, therefore, the responsibility of that
Congress Had not victory carried their banners, their
names would have been cursed by the people OF this
country the promoters Of destructive civil war;
whilst their blood would have flowed on the scaffod
sacrifice to appease the spirit Of British vengeance
In this awful situation, whilst heark cloud Of destruc
ton appeared ready burst upon them, they declared
to the world our independence They thought that
One day, one hour Of vrtuous liberty,
Was worth whole eternity Of bondage 7"
Everlasting honor to their names The gratitude Of
free people will forever halow their memory
Il is my intention, at this time, give you
rave Of those glorious events of the revolutionary war;
which led to the recognition Of our independence by
Great Britain and by the world. They have been the
subject Of many oratons, and Of such general interest
that they are familiar to every mind. The present
Grafton shall contain short historical sketch Of the
most prominent actions Of the party in power in
this country, aud their consequences and also an in
qury concerning the which sound policy dictates
that the Government Of the United States should pur
in future. The importance Of these subjects, al
though strictly connected with the celebration Of
this day. will, trust, be their apology to every mind
There fras porcrfaL faction IN The United States
opposed 10 the adoption Of The federal constitution
ANTLFEDERAIISTS, AND WERE THE FOUN-
DERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. THEY
GLORIED in SETTING THEMSELVES IN AR
RAY AGAINST OUR PRESENT ADMIRABLE
FORM OF GOVERNMENT. THE AUTHORS
OF THIS OPPOSITION WERE SIMPLY DEMA-
GOGUES, WHO MIGHT HAVE RISEN TO THE
HEAD OF A STATE FACTION, but who felt con-
scious that their talents would be eclpsed when the
lumnares Of tie United States should be collected
around the General Government. To crafty their am
bition, they wished that this country should continue
divided into number ofpetty State Soveregnties,
without any efficient government for their control This
they desired although they had the example Of ancient
Greece before their eyes, and well knew, that the clash