National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-07-06
An OId-Fashioncd Meeting at tho Corcoran
BuiIdinG--Tho Declaration ofIndepend-
enoo Read--Au Eloquent Grafton
by Hon. l., A. Gobright-"rho
S,ar-Spangled ISauuet"-
Out In Fuli force.
The Oldest Inhabitants, Celebration

present in full numbers, aud it seemed TO bo
a point with tho most venerable of tho mem
bcrs to be on hand. Among those were the
aged james CIephanc, ST., who is far advanced
in the eighties, aud Mr. William Anderson,
who is still older.
DIR. Blake called tho society TO order and
Nicholas CGllan, osq., read the Declaration Of
Independence. Hon. l., A. GObright, the
orator of the day, was then introduced Pre-
facing his Grafton with the reading of an edi-
tOrial extract from the London Tines of July
3, congratulating the United States OF tho
progress toward prosperity aud greatness they
had made in their lOi years of national OK
istcncc, Mr. Gobright elected frequent and
hearty applause by his Grafton. Tho full
text of this admirable speech is given below
At its conclusion, DIR. Blake taking Rdvuu-
tage Of tho temporary absence of the orator
whose wcl.kuown modesty would have caused
him embarrassment had he been present
offered a resolution rendering u vote Of thanks
by the society TO Mr.. Gobright for his clio.
quemt address, which resolution was ugaui.
mou-ly adopted.
The society, which was very fully repre-.
sented, then sang tho "Star Spanglrd Ban.
ncr,' under the leadership Of Colonel Robert
Ball. 1t was Il pleasant sight to sec these
eray-hUired estimabo old gentlemen, some Of
whom vividly remembered the day wAca that
ode was written, joining 50 heartily and Gu
lUWNlt1lltNllN III luN surfing HNIullS Ol IlG
national lyric
The veterans displayed boyish enthusiasm in
the cancstmess with which they observed the
ceremonies of celebrating the national birth
day, aud the occasion will long he remembered
by those fortunate enough 10 witness IL ,,s Que
OF the most pleasant demonstrations Of the
kind ever witnessed IN this city.
THE GRAFTON.
Following is the text Of MIR. Gobrights ora
ton:
LADIES ANp GENTLrMES AND BRETHREN OF THE
pcruturc like this II would he an abuse OF friend
ship were the orator 10 occupy your attention With
nOrrGtiOnS OF even the principal events Ut the great
American revolution aud to trace history In order
To show increase of population aud progress in
everything that could bestow happiness and pros
perlty under Il system of government ordained and
established by the people themselves through their
authorized representatives. Our purpose is to cole
brutc Independence day not with exciting dem
uustratonS aud military array, nor with exercises
that would fatigue, but with such CalmucSs Of
spirit ns will the better enable us to recall the grand
results Of resistance to oppression. The idea OF
separating themselves from the mother country
had not been generally entertained by the people
orany of the colonies Tho members Of the frst
congress were not elected for tie purpose of Gre
at!ng revolution. II was az ~, emily from Eepl-
rate colonies every one OfWhch hGl cluscs Of com
plant against The imperial government, to which
II regarded essential TO It's own Interests 10 make
common cause with the Others for the purpose Of
obtaining redress Of It's own grievances. Tie dele.
gates therefore, styled Themselves guardians Of
| the rights and liberties of the people
The King of Great Britain, uclt 10 the just mp
pcUs Of his subjects spoke strongly Of the rebel
llJus conduct OF the colonies, aud announced his
determination to sustain the supreme authority of
parliament over all his dOmimi0us. This course
was clOqucutly opposed 10y Lord Chatham carly In
l75j IN the house OF lords. He said the Americans
would never be In Il temper or state TO be recon-
CllCd, ana they ought not 10 bc until tho troops
were Withdrawn the troops being perpetual irri-
t0tiOu 10 the people bar To all confidence and all
cordial reconciliation. THE way he remarked
Unjust be Immediately opened for reconciliation
| or It will be too late. know not who advised the
present measures, know not who advises TO per-
scNCreUce aud enforcement Of them, but this will
say, that Whoever advises ought "a answer for II ut
| his utmost lCrlL But somebody has advised his
majesty to these measures and II he continues to
hear these evil CoullsClOrs, his majesty viii he
uudnuC. His majesty may indeed wear the crown,
| but the American Jewel ont Of II, II VIII not be
worth the wearing. must not say the King is be-
trayed, but this Will say, the nation Is ruined.
| The Americans have been shgmefuly abused by
| the coursc pursued toward tncm, but they have
borne II WIN uns%gmpIeI ratenee and unp9r-
alleled wisdom, | have craW!ed to this
house to give you my best counsel and experience,
| and my advice is to bcSeech his majesty 10 With
| draw his troops II will convince America that
you mean to try ner cause in the spirit and by the
laws OF freedom, by fair inquiry, and not by code
utblUOd, How can size trust you with the bayuuct
at her hroaSt2 And 'he has all the reason in the
world 10 believe you ueun Lcr CcUth or her bond
Lord Chatham proposed a plan of reconciliation.
asserting supreme legislative authority and super
intending power OF Great Britain over the colonies
| in MI eases except that Of taxation, the mode Of
| which was lcit to the colonies.
This was rejected by The ministry. Instead of
| following ChGlhOms advice 20 withdraw the
troops joint address Of the two bodies of parlia.
| mcut WIS presented a. the king III which they de-
| clNrci that a rebellion actually existed In tho
province of Massachusetts bay, and bcSoUght his
majesty to adopt measures to enforce the authority
Of the supreme legislature tulemuly assuring him
that 10 was tlcIr fixed resolution al the hazard Of
I
| his rcbcing subjects.
The kings reply vas in accord with the tenor Of
! the address, and showed how entirely he sane
| toned the course toward the CulouiSts.
Burke, Hartley aud Lord North proposed plans
| Of reconciliation, That Of the last-uOmcd was
| adopted Il grNulcl reforms, while assuming com.
| pllte legislative authority over the colonies
| II wus said IL England that the Americans would
NOT Urht but this SANDER was CALAMITY rCIlipl To
! such mn extent ne to alarm the king who sent
hther, us commissioners, Richard Niscluut luWo
| of tho kingdom OF Ireland, and William Howe,
general uf his mNu,lys forces in America intrust.
/ ed with high powers Tor restoring peace.
! Tile position oi the COlOnists was now different
| from what Il Wa four years before, Independence
| had been resolved upon, and the Americans were
| determined 10 have II ut any sacrifice.
| Washington said peaceon the terms proposed
| would be "a peace of war
Congress, in uu address TO the inhabitants OF
AMgTlcn, while scgrniug the tenns proposed by
! Lord North said: 1T is time 70 turn the hcudluug
| current Of vengeance upon the head Of the de-
sWoycr They have hllcl M The measure Of their
! tboWiuNiOn II, Ike ripe ilit, must soon drop
/ from the tIcc. There cannot bc peace while any
corner of America Is iu possession OF your foes.
] Yuu must drive them away from this land of
/ promise, land flowing indeed with milk and
honey Your brethren nj the rNiremites Of the
! lection, II is your duty 10 grant thcir rcqucs,.
| they hunger ana hlrsl uUcr liberty, BC 30 yours
| - dispense T. them the heavenly ain"
/ By order OF congress the president Of that body
| replied 10 the commissioner, saying that congress
! were inclined 10 peace, nolWlIhstundiuE the uu-
! iust claims nom which the war originated, aud tho
a.II .