Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-07-04
AN GRAFTON.
Delivered before the Washington
Association Of Lancaster, on the
Fourth Of July. 1915.

T@AAstA<@ &><~@~ ~
Association Of Lancaster, on the
Fourth Of July. 1915.
BY JAMES BUCHANAN, ESQ.
THIRTY-NINE years ago. upon
this day, we were declared an inde'
pendent people. At that time the
Continental Congress burst assunder
the chains which bound them 10 Great
Britain. and resolved to be free. OF
perish In the attempt. Upon that day
they presented to the world specta'
Gle OF wisdom and 6rmness which has
never been excelIed.
10 make proper estimate Of their
conduct, we must take into view the
then situation Of this country, com
pared with that Of our enemy. On
the one side. the armies OF Great Brit.
ain were numerous and veterans; they
were led by commanders who had &C.
quired military reputation In every
cline; they were supported and furn-
ished with every implement OF war by
nation whose wealth has upon differ
ent occasions. purchased the services
Of all the crowned heads In Europe
On the other side. our armies were
small and unacquainted with military
discipline: our officers were destitute
Of experience. and we were so miser-
erabIy poor that our brave soldiers
were not more than half clothed. and
their winter marches over the frosty
ground which they were defending,
could be tracked by the blood thai
flowed from their naked feet.
But even these were not the only
disadvantages under which we labor
ed. Whilst our enemy invaded NJ
from without. the torch OF discord and
Of treason was lighted up within
When Independence was declared, the
mother country had a powerful party
throughout all the middle States. and
many adherenss in every other part o
the Union.
Dreadful, therefore. was the re-
sponsibility Of that Congress. Had
not victory carried their banners. theil
names would have been cursed by the
people Of this country a. the promo
ters Of n destructive civil war, while
their blood would have flowed on the
scadold as a sacrifice to appease th,
spirit Of British vengeance. In thi'
awful situation. whilst the dark cloud
Of destruction appeared ready to burs
upon them. they declared &c the worlt
our Independence. They thought
that ~
tone day. one hour es v,rsseps liberty,
was worth whole eternity ofbosdsrs.d
Everlasting honor 10 their names
The gratitude Of free people will for
ever hallow their memory.
II IL not my intention. at this time,
10 give you narrative Of those glo'
rious events Of the revolutionary war,
which led to the recognition Of our In.
dependence by Great Britain and BY
tho world. They have been the sub
jeet OF 80 many orations. and OF such
general interest, that they are familiar
to every mind. The present oratlon
shall contain short Historical sketch
OF the most prominent action Of the
party. now In power In this country,
ana 'he'r consequences; and also in'
quiry concerning the course which
sound policy dictates that the govern
ment OF the uni1eu o'a1es snouid pur'
sue 10 future. The Importance o'
those subjects. although not strictly
connected win the celebration OF thl'
day. will. trust, be their apology te
every mind. ,.,
There was a powerful FACllON
in the United States opposed to the
adoption OF the federal Constitution.-
The individuals OF which II was com
posed were callrd anii'federalits, and
were the founders OF the Democratic
party. They gloried In setting them
selves in array against our present ad
'nirable form Of government. The
authors OF this opposition were chiefly
DEMAGOGUES, who might have
risen tv the head OF state faction
but who felt conscious that their tai
ents would be eclipsed. when the la
minaries OF the United States should
be collected around the General Gov
49, r Z. - A. IL