Litchfield enquirer., 1855-02-08
DUTIES OF AMERICAN CITIZENS.

Fellow citizens, let us not retire from this occasion without deep and solemn convic- tion of the duties which have devolved upon us. This lovely land, this glorious liberty these benign institutions, the purchase of our fathers, are ours ours to enjoy, ours to preserve, ours to transmit Generations past and generations to come, hold us responsi- hle for this sacred trust. Our fathers from bshind admonish us with their anxious pas ternal voices; posterity;calls out to us from the bosom of the future; the world turns hither its solicitous eyes; all, all conjure us to act wisely and faithfully in the relation which we sustain. We can never, indeed, pay the debt which is upon us; but by vir- tue, by morality, by religion, by the cultiva- ton of every good principle and every good habit, we may hope to enjoy the blessings through our day, and leave 1t unimpairedto to our children.
 Let us feel deeply how much of what we are and what we possess, we owe to this liberty and to these institutions of govern. ment. Nature has, indeed, given us soil which yields bounteously to the hands of industry; the mighty and fruitful ocean is before us, and the skies over our heads shed health and vigor. But what are lands, and seas, and skies to civilized man, without so- ciety. without knowledge, without morals, without religious culture and how can these be enjoyed in all their extent and all their excellence, but under the protection of wise institutions, and free government.
 Fellow citizens, there is not one of us here present, who does not, at this moment, and at every moment, experience in his con dition, and in the condition of those most near and dear to him, the influence and the benefits of this liberty and those institutions. Let us then acknowledge the blessings: let US feel it deeply and powerfully let us cher- ish strong affection for it, and resolve to maintain and perpetuate it. The blood of our fathers, let it not have been shed in vain; the great hope of posterity, let it not be blasted.
 The striking attitude, too, in which we stand to the world around us--a topic to | which fear 1 advert too often, and dwell | on too long-cannot be altogether omitted here Neither individuals nor nations can perform iir-ii; rart well, until they under. stand and feel its importance, can, ccmpre- hend and justly appreciate all the duties be. longing to it. It is not to infate national vanity, nor to swell light and empty feel- ing of self-importance; but it is, that we may jndge justly of our situation and our duties, that earnestly urge this considera. | ton of our position and our character among ! the nations of the earth. It cannot he denied, hut by those who would dispute against the sun, that with America, and in America, new eia com- mences in human affairs. This era is dis tinguished by free representative govern men,s, by entire religious liheriy, by impro- ved systems of national intercourse, by a newly awakened and an unquenchable spi- rit of free inquiry, and by diffusion of knowledge through the community, such as has been before altogether unknown and un- heard of. America, America, our country, fellow citizens, our own dear and native land, is inseparably connected, fast bound up, in fortune and by fate, with these great interests. If they fall, We fall with them 1 if they stand, it will be because we have upholden them.
 Let us contemplate, then, this connection which binds the prosperity of others toour own; and let us manfully discharge the due ties which it imposes. If we cherish tho virtues and the principles of our fathers, hea- ven will assist us to carry on the work of human liberty and human happiness. Aus picious omcns cheer us. Great examples are before us. Our firmament now shines brightly upon our path. Washington is in the clear, upper sky. Adams, Jefferson and others have joined the American constella- tion; they circle round their centre, and the heavens beam with new light. Beneath this illumination, let us walk the course of life; ard, at it's close, devoutly commend our beloved country, the common parent of us all, to the divine benigni,y.-WEBsrER.