The native American., 1838-03-03
ADDRESS

Il ' AD u HESS s1T'
Deliuerea before The. Native american .asso-
/, citation Washington Cify, February 22d,
n 1888, staYaJ JosEpn III. Bradley, ESQ.
The Association of Native Americans, in the
City OF Washington, has devolved on me, one ol
its members, the duty OF presenting to you an
Address sRssthis, the first anniversary of the
birth Of Washington since its formation.
Much that r had intended to say, has been al
ready vel, and eloquently said, by the gentleman
who is associated with me on the occasion; and !
shall endeavor, as far as possible, to avoid going
over the same ground. ~ sa 2nfs5.t 9fa f'..
II is fortunate, indeed, for you and myself; for
my occupations have SO fully engaged my time,
as to-psevent me from making any adequate prep
aratioh; 1f to do more than sketch an outline, to
be filed up as shall proceed; and | shall conten
myself with presenting to you that sketch.
4At.the commencement of the Tar of the Revo
luton, we had barely three millions Of people,
there were but three considerable towns in the whole
extent Of the country. The means of intercourse
and correspondence throughout the wide extern
of the land, were irregular and slow. The popu-
lation, it is true, virtuous intelligent, hardy,
full ofseaesgy, industry, and enterprise. But il
was wideay scattered-the intervals between the
settlements were SO great the proportion of wild
to cultivated land so large, that the people could
scarcely be said, on any occasion, to move or act
in masses. ..aa
But these people were oppressed. Oppression
gives rise to oppostion; opposition calls into ac-
tivity forms shapes, directs talents ard energies,
powers and resources, moral and physical, which
strife and contest alone can bring forth.
The great body Of the people were sufficiently
well informed to understand their position. The
master spirits of the age had the confidence ol
that people. They pointed to the remedy, and
with a united voice. THE THIRTEEN UNITED
STATES OF AMBR1cA'--proclaimed their freedom
It was glorious resolution, and most gloriously
was it carried out. M -
But to effect this, there must be a head. They
had wisdom, sagacity, prudence, vigor, and an
exalted patriotism. They were great men. AS
a body, history has not its superior on record
They looked abroad throughout their land for a
General FOR their armies who could also give them
wise counsel in their cabinet. They wanted one
who could take the lead among profound states.
men, ardent patriots, gallant and skilful soldiers
by whose united energies Revolution was to be
accomplished, and the foundations of mighty
Nation were to be laid. 9lls itil
They selected GEoRGE sWAsHINaToN--the
most extraordinary man that any age has ever pro
duced. For him, history has no parallel. Ma
ny have lived, and died, crowned with glory; bu
no created being ever came up to his standard
He has left name which stands like vast rock
in the broad ocean of time. He is beacon ligh
| in the midst of the storm, between the two grea
eras Of legitimacy and that efulgent day of pub
lie liberty--the morning only of which we will b.
permitted to see. ab
| He was placed at the head Of the armies of tl
United States, struggling for independence. Fet
tered by the jealousy of power of those who wer
alive to its dangers, often thwarted by the inefli
cheney or malevolence of those whose only dut,
was to obey--his means limited not so much b,
the poverty of the country, as by the want Of
government to- control its resources-he exhibite,
fertility of resources and an activity of mind al
most beyond belief. He was ever in the field
With small, undisciplined, badly equipped, an,
worse provsioned army, he maintained success
fully and eventually contest against the superio
number, and the tried valor of the veteran troops
of the then most powerful nation of Europe. ii,
shaped and moulded his rude materials not onl,
into gallant and firm soldiers; he made them pa
triots; under his hands they were no riotous mol
with the name of liberty their lips, and the de
mon OF liccntiousness in their hearts, but the Bold
fearless, danntless defenders of public liberty re
gulated by equal laws. .h4 H
| Upon the issue ofhat contest he had indee,
staked all-life, liberty, and his sacred honor. Fl,
taught by his brilliant example the great truth
that no man lives for himself alone--but for hi
country. !s1e sssf s
/ The war was ended, The foot of foreiq,