Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-07-13
Mr.. FOOTE'S ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS.

that we could find to place in our columns the Ad-
dress delivered by the Hon. Mr.. FooTE, of Mis-
sissippi, at the Washington Monument, on the day
of the National Anniversary.
FRIENDS AND FELLOW. CITIZENS Once more have we
assembled upon this the natal day of American independence
formally manifest the respect and gratitude which feel
for those wise and patriotic whom under Heaven,
indebted for the priceless blessings of civil and re
gious liberty. Almost wo-thrds of century have now
passed away since the adoption and signature of that solemn
declaration which announced to the civilized nations of the
earth that the British colonies in America were free sovereign
and independent States and the particular day in the caen
da upon which this important declaration made has
since been set apart day of peculiar sacreness whose
annual has uniformly called forth in all countries
under the sun, where the principles republican freedom
held in respect those sentiments Of graduation and reoc
ing, and profound thankfunes which am sure ow animate
the hearts of those by whom surrounded. II would be
great error in my Judgment suppose that the sage and
phiosophc statesmen who assembled in Independence
Hall upon the 4th day of July, l776 induced under
take the high act of State which has given them all death
less immortality by desire merely relieve the colonies
which they represented from the burden of illegal taxation
The sgne of the Declaration have themselves formally pro-
nouncd the great and sautary TRUTH that
long established should be changed Tor light and transient
" and in assuming for those whom they represented
ha equal station among the Powers Of the earth which the
laws of Nature and of Natures God entitled them they con-
csved that decent respect for the opinions of mankind"
required of them make known the which control
led their action 1t grievance either enaced merely
which they had to apprehend might in future be
experienced by the colonies it not feeling of mere
local jealousy, desire for sectional ACKNOWLEDGMENT
which brought about the separation of the colonies from the
parent country but long train of abuses pursuing nva
rahly the ebjec, evincing, they thought, de-
sign 10 reduce them under absolute despoism which stu
lated them to that noble assertion both of the "right and
tuty of those subjected injustice "throw off the gov
eminent which had become yranncay oppressive them
and to provde guards for their future security The
solemn recital of those wrongs and usurpaons which to be
found in that sacred instrument which has this moment been
read 10 hearing be regarded by all unpreiu
diced minds than ustiying the the revolution
in resortng the God of Battles deiverance from hra
dom for find in this black catalogue of grievances almost
enomity that has yet dgracej the annals Of y
ranny, among which the following /. The refusal on
the part Of the British Sovereign give his to laws
most wholesome and necessary the public good" q |
" The obstruction OF the laws OF Naturalization imporan
to the inhabitants of wy-seled region. 3. The inter-
upon of the admnisra ion of justice, "by refusing his
assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers" a. The
erection Of "muliude of Offices by self assumed power
and sending into the colonies of ofic ers to
haass the people and eatout their substance The keep
ing of standing armies in time of peace without the con-
of the colonial leg slatures g. The attempt to render
the military independent of and superior the civil power
T. The overthrow of the right of trial by jury g. The alb
dcaon Of all government in the counes by declaring them
out OF his protection, and actually wagng against them
These together with the most odous and annoying
upon trade the most selfish and ilbera interference with
the domestic industry of the colonies and the imposition
unconstitutional taxation, made indispensable that colo
NAL ioreahers should forever terminate their allegiance
the British Crown, and secede from their with
the British people, holding them, they held rest
mankind, enemies in war-n peace, trends.'
will not be expected that shall descan present upon
the incidents which marked the progress revolutionary
struggle, they doubtless already familiar to all whom
nov address. Yet may be less profitable to us
to notice for few Of those ncpien movements in
the colonies, which, looking first to nothing beycnd secu
ing the repeal of British enacments deemed unjust in some
regularly parliamentary mode faed to eventuate
in the establishment OF solid confederative organization of
sufficient potency to break pieces the solid fabric British
power and forever to from the British empire the fres
colonial domain over which king po,enate has
yet Unknown WELD the sceptrc authori l. Among
the colonial alluded find legislative reol-
tons of Parliament regarded as situona
IN their character, or felt to be oppressive their operation
2. Articles Of agreement, called associations "by which
those who subscribed them bound not to purchase or
the manufactures of England except in cases OF the
most urgent necessity g. Efforts bring about concert Of
action between Virginia and the colonies of the North
Plan of general Congress. Thus far did the people of the
colonies proceed without any apparent desire ssove thai
union which had long subslsted between themselves and
the parent State be asserted that any expectation
generally entertained that such would nay
take place, before the first actual collision of
the regular soldiers of Britain and the undiscpned militia
of the coonies which occurred in neghborhood of Bos
ton, upon the l7h day of June 775 That this was the
condition Of the public mind in America up the period
specified, is alike testified by authentic legislative acts and
by the well known declarations Of prominent individuals who
were shor y to participate the of revou strife
which were IN fact almost at hand In the address of
the first Congress to the peopla OF Great Britain the
striking language held "You have told that we
are sedous, impatient Of government and desirous of nde
pendence Be assured that these facts bu. calum
Mes General Washington himself though endowed with
sagaly as to the future which few have evnced
OF civil war; though he to have doubted that
blood should be she'd in such contest of opinion as
was then IN progress it would be wholly impossible pre-
vent the colonies from asserting and achieving their ndepe
uence. whist attending a member OF Congress from
virginia ne responded letter which he had received from
British officer ut Boston, between whom aud himself rela
os OF particular friendship existed, in part follows A
though you are taught to believe that the people of Massa
cnuses are eoeous setting for independence and what
no give me leave my good friend, to hell you that you
abused, greatly abused This advance with degree of
confidence and bdness which may claim your belief having
better opportunities Of knowing the senim ns the people
you are among, IRON The leaders of them opposition the
present measures OF the administration than you from
those whose business 1t Is not disclose truths but mis-
represent facts, In order to justify themselves much
possible, to the world for their conduct" 1t may be-
indeed, most safely asserted that had the British Govern
ment even at that late PERIOD consented do Justice the
colonies and efrained thereafter from unjust and insulting
Legislation, the great event of American might
have been postponed least for anoher generation But
Britain nexorabe Profoundly blind TO all the conse-
quences, likely to ensue-totay the char
acter OF portion OF her peope-not spposipc even
possible that less than three millions OF coonists would