Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1848-07-27

petition for redress, and demonstrate against
the unjust and wicked design of reducing
them to slavery. The Colonies in one uni
ted voice offered up prayer at the foot
stool of royalty, that wisdom urged worthy
of consideration, but which the government,
of Great Britain, bent on and blinded by
its wicked and diabolical purposes, listened
TO merely to adopt more odious and sum-
mary measures.
There is an infatua,ion and madness in
the policy Of governments, as well as in the
conduct Of individuals. The precipice,
which is to terminate their mad and visiona-
~ career, is seen in the distance alluring
and deceiving their intended victims, until
its awful and fearful lerrors> are boldly pre-
sented to the view, and the last method Of
escape is closed forever. Though the Sc
paration of the Old Thirteen States from
Great Britain, may have been postponed
by pursuing milder and more liberal sys-
tenn of government, yet i. was an event
which in the nature of things must have
happened, and which no human wisdom
nor foresight could have aver,ed But the
measures devised and adopted to prevent so
unhappy an occurrence for Great Britain,
and with the view of rendering her posses
session more strong and secure, must be re-
garded by this enlightened age as more wor-
thy ola despot and .yrant, than government
which boosted of its freedom and liberal in
stitu,ions. 1t is stain upon her character
which time can never eface, nor the inge-
nui,y nor sophis,ry Of her apologists never
palllate. Chatham, in Parliament, in
strains Of unsurpassed elequence, boldly de-
nounced the expressions and suicidal poll
cy of her government, and urged the adop-
ton of more pacific and concilatory mea
sures while the door Of reconciliation was
yet open. A Patrick Henry, in the House
of Burgesses, poured forth his indignant and
irresistible appeals in the behalf of liberty,
and was the first to put in motion the ball
of freedom and independence. 1t was the
first impulse to resistance, and led to the
organization of troops for the safety and de-
fence of the colonies. A pure and holy SEN
'ment animated the heart of every patriot,
and zeal and activity was enlisted in the
for resistance. Though many
were deferred at first by the extreme hazard
and danger Of the undertaking, The necess-
IT, Of the case soon produced that unanimi,y
and harmony which was the only guaranty
of success. A convention of delegates was
soon called to assemble in Philadelphia, to
take into consideration and adopt such steps
as they might deem necessary and expedi-
emf. On the 4,h Of July, 1875, they sever
ed the ties which bound them 10 the mother
country, and declared themselves free and
independent States. 1t is to celebrate the
wonderful events Of that day, that we have
the custom that seeks to perpelua,e the
fame and virtues Of the illus,rious Signers
of the Declaration of independence. 1t is
a hol " and sacred occasion that brings us
together here to-day, and swels the hear,
of every patriot with the most lively emo
lions of gratitude and joy. Long, arduous,
and sanguinary was the conflict that ensued;
but people, united in a common and sa-
cred cause, with the smiles of Providence
above them, are invincible by any foes their
enemies may bring against them. Eight
long years Of suffering, for.i.ude and devo-
ton to their country, brought the struggle
to happy issue, and resulted in the eslab-
Iishment Of free government, based upon
equality and The most liberal and enIghlen-
ed principles. The experience Of more than
half century is a sufficient reflex of the
wisdom of our ancestors. The long COM
bal,ed and probama'ical capacity of the peo-
pie for self-governmenl is removed forever
The experiment has had the fullest test that
human institutions can know, and the result
sheds imperishable lustre upon the wisdom
and consuma,e foresight of its founders.
We are free, great and chosen people.
We enjoy every blessing that the most ex-
travaganl heart can desire. We possess
within us all the elements of true glory, great
ness and prosperity. A smiling Providence
controls our destiny, and a grateful people
send up a song ofjoy and thanksgiving But,
sir, upon our own intelligence and virtue de-
pend the stability and purity of our nslitu-
lions. If we are deficient in these qualfica-
tons, the"ark OF freedoms salvatIon"l is al the
mercy ofthe waves ofcivil commoliona and dis
cord. tits ourd duty, then, to incucate andpra
tice these sacred truths, for you may rest
assured, that no government was ever yet
free or secure who neglected their cultiva-
ton. The Republics of ancient Greece and
Rome are full of lessons from which we
may gather wisdom and instruction. Their
former greatness and prosperity, and the un-
changing scenes of vice, immortality, and de-
graduation, which have followed, admonish US
to be wise in the day of our strength and
power. They once were distinguished for
the wisdom, purity and enlightened policy
governments; and unrivalledfor their
attainmentsin the arts, literature and sciences.
They boosted of their statesmen, historians,
orators, poets, warriors, and philosophers,
and of a people deeply attached and imbued
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