The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1839-11-23
[No. rs.


States Of America took her station among the
independent powers of the world. Doubtless, !.
the sound Of freedom today is heard, ringing
and echoing " on the mountain top, and by the
ocean. shore;" and mo doubt '"the brilliant and
waving emblem of our ,country's union and
greatness" now floats In beauty above many a
green field Of this happy soil, and as long as
blood flows in the veins Of a lover of. freedom,
it shall continue to be the :. fair type Of the
counry's honor, and the speless banner. Of
Liberty" Providence, my: hearers, has been
graciousy pleased that we should inhabt a
country where the climate is genial and delight,
fui, where the forests put forth: vigorous vegi-
taiion and fields are covered with beautiful and
abundant hare ests; :" w e. hear % all sidesihe
sound Of the iatchft'sb blow and the blasts Of the
forge we see ancient forests delivered 10 flames,
and the. plough passing over their ashes-we,
see on which side soeyer we east our eyes,
smiling cities, hourishing towns, beautiful viii.
lagos temples to be dedicated to the worship OF,
the Creator of the universe, and splendid palaces
rising in their beauty and towering towards
heaven; and not unfrequently do these grand
improvements take place within gun,shot OF the
cabin Of the red man. al.
My hearers, the soil we tread is the land OF
Federal America-the country. inhabited by
those whose ancestors were forced by intoer-
ance and oppression to- leave the British Isles,
and other parts of Europe.
| This is country concerning which little cam
be said save that which tends to raise and exalt
lit. " Where, my respected audience, shall we
find a country of the universe in which property
is more sacred, or industry more sure Of It's re-
watd? Where is the authority the law most
omni potent? Where is intelligence and wealth
more widely difrused and more rapidly progress
sive? Where is society in lis general desc1ip-
a., u
Where are popular turnults least known, and
the spirit aud existence, and almost the name Of
a mob least heard of Where, in short, is po-
litica animosity least prevalent and faction sub
dued, in prevailing feeling Of national pride
/ and satisfaction3 Where. but in America
America that laid the foundation of her repub-
ican principles in a violent, radical sanguinary
revolution. America with her fundamental de-
mocracy, made still more unmaLageable by being
divided into many confederated and indeperl-
dent democracies. America with a free and
unlicensed press, without an established priest
hood, an hereditary nobility, or a permanent
executive-with all, in short, that is combusti-
Bile and pregnant with danger on the hypothesis
|of tyranny and without one Of the checks or
safe guards by which alone they contend the
benefits Of society can be maintained 2 Nor
can anything Ire founded upon the novelty of
her institutions, or the pretence that they have
not been fairly put on their trial" We have
gone on prospecting as a country for sixty-three
years. Sixty-three, years have now elapsed
since this Declaration was proclaimed to: the
world. SlAty-thIee years has this nation been
in possession of its well acquired freedom; and
sixty three years has the arm of a gracious
Providence been kindly stretched over US and
kept US from harm. Let thanks be ascrbed to
the Giver of all things for the prosperity of our
native land land where out fathers bled."
And during this number Of years, !" this conn-
try has exhibited picture of uninterrupted,
rapid, unprecedented advances in wealth, popu-
Iation, intelligence and concord, while all the
bitrary governments of the old world have been
over-run with bankruptcies, conspiracies, and
revolutions, and at this time are trembling I'M
der consciousness Of their own insecurity, and
vainly endeayoring to repress Trepresssib Bile dis
contents by associated violence and terror
This shows plainly the superiority Of a free 60
vernment like the one we enjoy, over those ty-
ranica and despotic governments which are
even yet suffered to exist.
But to pass on. Not less than others is our
country celebrated for its eminent men. Motto
give you the whole, let US look for a few
moments at the " father of his country" And
where will we find another ashington--where
shall we find another parsonage like him 10
WnOm the eye vi tliS NHQlt POpuidCt' was Ill (
rected in the great time Of need-when every
heart was appalling, when the loud laundering
of the lannon's roar pealed in war betokvning
sound through the vanted arch Of heaven, and
when the spirit and desire for freedom, assisted
by the power of Jehovah, was about to arrest
aud give the final blow to despotism. WASH
ngton, my friends, being engaged IN the busy
scenes of life, knew human nature and the best
manner of accomplishing his plans for the pub
tic good. His passions were subdued and held in
subsection to reason, his mind was superior to
prejudice and party spirit, his soul too great to
burthen his country with expense, his princi-
pies too just to allow his placing military honor
in competition with the public good. Brave,
patriotic, and generous, he was as humane to
those who fell into his hands as he vas terrible
in conquerng. Placing his trust in the " God
of Battles" and guided by his own ttIelh, wis
dom, and prudence, he was the happy instru-
ment in securing the independence and liberty
of his beloved country. After lra,ir with.
great difficulty, and with many daring dangers
accomplished this great undertaking, we see him
deliver up to that honorable body, the Congress