Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1858-07-10

e from allegience to the British crown, and tha
l all political cOnnexion between them and tht
: state of Great Britain is, and ought to be to-
1 tally dissolved and that, as FREE and INDE
e PENDENT STATES, they have full power to levy
t war, conclude peace, contract alliances, estab
5 lsh commerce, and to all other acts anC
l things which INDEPENDENT STATES may o
right do. And for the support of this decla
ration, with a firm reliance on the protection
. Of DIVINE PROVIDENCE, we mutually pledge
to each other our lives, our fortunes, and oul
sacred honor.
JOHN HANCOCK, President.
Supposed Speech of John Adams, In : m
gress, 1776, OH the Adoption of the Dec
) laratiOn of Independence.-W Webster
"Sink or swim, live or die, survive or per-
ish give my hand md heart to this vote -
1t is true, indeed, that in the beginning that
we aimed not at independence. But there's
a Divinity that shapes our ends. The inius-
tice OF England has driven us to arms; and,
blinded to her own Interest for our good she
has obstinately persisted, till independence is
now within our grasp. We have but to reach
forth to it, and it is ours. Why, then, should
we defer the Declaration? Is any man so
weak as to now hope for reconciliation with
England which shall leave either safety to the
country and its liberties, or safety to his own
Lille and honor? Are not you, sir who sit in
that chair, is not he, our venerable colleague
near you, are not you both already the pro-
scribed and predestined objects of punish
ment and vengeance? Cut off from all hope
OF royal clemency, what are you, what can
you be, while the power of England remains,
but outlaws? If we postpone independence,
90 we mean to carry on, or give up, the war?
Do we mean to submit to the measures of
Parliament Boston Port Bill and all? Do
We mean to submit and consent that we our
selves SHALL be ground to powder, and our
country and its right trodden down in the
dust! L know we do not mean to submit -
We never shall submit. Do we intend to Vi
olate the most solemn obligation ever entered
upon by men, that plighting, before God, of
our sacred honor to Washington, when put
ting him forth to incur the dangers of War, as
we'll as the political hazards of the times we
promised to adhere to him, in every extremi-
ty, with our fortunes and our lives ! I know
there is not man here, who would not rather
see general conflagration sweep over the
land, or an earthquake sink it, than one lot or
little of that plighted faith fall to the ground.
For myself, having twelve months ago in this
place, moved you that George Washington
be appointed commander of the forces raised
or to be raised, for defence of American llber-
ty, may my right hand forget her cum
ming, and my tongue cleave to the roof of my
mouth, if [ hesitate or waver in the support
give him.
"The war, then, must go on. We must
fight it through. And if the war must 90 on
why put off longer the Declaration of Inde-
pendence? That measure will strengthen us.
1t will give us character abroad. The nations
will treat with US, which they can never do
while we acknowledge ourselves subjects, in
arms against our sovereign. Nay maintain
that England herself will sooner treat for
peace with us on the footing of indepen-
deuce, than consent, by repeating her acts to
acknowledge that her whole conduct toward
US has been a course of injustice and oppres-
sion. Her pride will be less wounded by
submitting 10 that COURSE Uf ,hingo which nov
predestinates our independence, than by yield
ing the points in controversy to her rebelous
subjects. The former she would regard as
the result of fortune the latter she would
ieel as her own deep disgrace. Why, then,
why then, Sir, do we not as soon as possible
change this from civil to national war;
And since We must fight it through, why not
P''I III d Stdtc W CuJOy all the DenG
tits OF the victory, if we gain the victory?
''lf we fail, it can be no worse for u.s. But
We shall not fail The cause will raise up
armies the cause will create navies. The
| people, the people, if we are true to them.
will carry us, will carry themselves, glorious
ly through the struggle. | care not how fick.
lie other people have been found. know the
people OF these Colonies, and know that re-
sistance to British aggression is deep and set
tied in their hearts and cannot be eradicated.
Every Colony, indeed, has expressed it's will.
ingness to follow, if we but take the Lead
Sir, the Declaration will inspire the people
with increased courage. Instead of a long
and bloody war for the restoration of priv.
ileges, for redress of grievances, for chartered
immanites, held under British king, set be-
fore them the glorious object of entire inde-
pendence, and it will breath into them anew
the breath of life. Read this Declaration at
the head of the army every sword will be
drawn from the scabbard, and the solemn VOW
uttered, to maintain it, or to perish on the
bed of honor. Publish it from the pulpit
religion will approve it, and the love Of relig-
giovs liberty will cling around it, resolved to
stand with it or fall with it. Send it to the
public halls; proclaim it there let them
hear it who heard the first roar of the cnemy's
cannon; let them see it who saw their broth
ers and sons fall on the field of Bunker Hill
and in the street of Lexington and Concord.
and the very walls will cry out in its support.
'Sir, know the uncertainty Of human af.
fairs, but l see, l see clearly, through this
days business. You and |, indeed. NAV rue
it. We may not live to the time when this
Declaration shall be made good. We NAV
die die cOlonists; die slaves die, it may be,
ANONYMOUSLY and on the scaffold. Be it so.
BE it so. lfit be the pleasure of Heaven that
my country shall demand the poor offering of
my life, the victim shall be ready, at the an.
pointed hour OF sacrifice, come when that hour
may. But while l do live, let me have
country. or at least the hope of country,
and that free country.
"But whatever may be our fate, be assured,
be assured that this Declaration will stand
1t may cost treasure, and it may cost blood
but it wills tand, and it will richly compen.
safe for BOTH Through the thick gloom OF
the present, see the brightness of the future
as the sun in heaven. We shall make this a
glorious, an immortal day. When We are in
our graves, our children will honor it. They
will celebrate it with thanksgiving, with fes-
tivity, with bonlires, and illuminations On
its annual return, they will shed tears, copious
gushing tears, not of subsection and slavery,
not of agony and distress but of exutation,
of gratitude, and of joy Sir, before God, l
believe the hour is come. My judgment ap-
proves this measure, and my whole heart is
in it. ALI that have, and all that am, and
all that hope, in this life am now ready
here to stake upon it and leave off as be-
gun, that live or die, survive or perish, 1 am
for the Declaration. 1t is my living sentiment,
and by the blessing of God it shall be my dy-
ing sentiment, Independence now, and INDE-
PENDENCE FOR EVER"
JOHNNY, spell cat, rat, hat, with only
one letter for each word 2" 1t can't be