Uii 06126 4496 m rickeri-it5, J^avid m Address. . , '4' . Providence, 1328 H V ; -¦ ' f f \ ' ' " 1-*' \ , ' u'' J Mi.; II I" Ji^i ¦'-"i-lli If CL19- 1*^00 -n YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 1942 DELIVERED BEFORE THE Citizens of providence. IN THE UNIVERSALIST CHAPEI,, « FIFTY-SECOND ANNIVERSARY AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE. ' 'fi': BY DAVID PICKERING. PROVIDENCE. riTERAKY CADET OFFICE SIHITH t FABIUEirnB, PBINTERS. 1828. PROVIDENCE, JULY 4th, 1828. Rer, DAVID PICKERING- SiR— -The un(Iersigned, Gommitlees of Arrangement, appointed by the Town and Youn^^Iffen of Providence, fer qplebrating tbe Fifly-Second Anuiveraary of American Independend'ey tender io you their thanks for the excellent Oration delirered by you on the 4th instant, and nfost respectfully solicit a copy for publication. A. D. HODGES, '¦ S. J. SMITH, Tovm's ComniWtee. of ArrangententtM JAMES G. ANTHONY, ^GEORGE W. COY, ^SAMUEL A. CRAPO, JAMES N. OLNEY, J. C. PARMENTER, Young Men's Committee of ArrangemenUi PROVIDENCE, JULY Sth, 1828. Oentlemen of the Committees appointed by the Town, and the Toung Men of Providence, for celebrating the Fifty-Second Anniversary of American Independence i Not doubiling ^at you will make sutfbble alloWaUce for ihe shortness of Ibe'time allotted fin* jA-^ra- tion, and the bodily indisposition under which the Address was composed j I ain Induced toaubmifit, with all its imperfections, to your disposal. Your's, very respectfully, DAVID PIOKERINa et\3 4O0n ADDRESS. Fellow-Citizens — More than half a century of revolving periods have fled to join the ranks of oblivious time, since the patriotic sons of Columbia first rallied round the standard of Freedom, and fanned the sacred fire of ¦teberty^ which had been kindled upon the altar of American Independence. The spirit which gave birth to the independence of our eounlry, had prompted the hazardous entei*- prize of the Pilgrims, to encounter the threatening dsMgers of the broad Atlantic, at the least auspicious season ofthe year — it had conquered and tamed thfe wild ferocious spirit of the lords of the forest — it had overcome the chaange of climate — it had converted the wilderness to agricultural fields, and excluded the savage indolence of the native, to give place for the utensils of husbandry and the arts of civilization. — It reared its temples to the worship of God, and con secrated its altars to the service of pure and undefil- ed religion —it gave form and convenience to the dwellings of domestic contentment, reared its towns and established its cities — It blessed the hand of la bour, eneouraged genius and enterprise, framed mild and wholesome laws, and established a form of gov- einment upon the broad and imperishable principles of civil and religious freedom. It expanded the power of intellect, by an early and general difiusion of knowledge among the rising gen eration. Its prying curiosity penetrated the pro foundest depths of political science, fearlessly discuss ed the doctrine of equal rights, and as fearlessly ex posed the injustice of monarchical usurpation— it knew no absolute sovereign, but the supreme Mon arch ofthe Universe, and bowed to offer its devo tions at no altar, save the altar of God and the altar of Freedom. It patiently endured innumerable privations and hardships, and with a steady perseverance, broke down every barrier and overcame every obstacle to the consummation of its purposes. It difiused its ennobling influence thrpugbout ^11 the colonial States, and found a congenial "sOil in thie hearts of three millions of hardf and undaunted colo- ¦nigts, ' ,; Jtiwas !the unconquerable spirit of liberty and equality, J the Iove> of justice, the soul offreedonai. , , It elicited the powerful scintillations of genine, in^ vestigated the rights of kings, stripped the mask fro&i -the haggard: farhi of despotism, and marked out the certain path, to independence — the unalienable birth right, of mankind; . < ¦ '; Such a spirit as this, might well excite the concevn^ and alarm the fears' ot a jealous and interested' moth er. ^Britannia saw, with deep solicitude and regri^, the influence of this independent spirit, diflfusing itself through all the ranks and orders of an infant country?. She beheld the domestic circle, listening to the recit- .al ofthe rights, of every American, and saw the fireiaf -indignation kindling upon the altar of every youthful .heart ; while the tongue of rustic leloquence, inspired by the spirit of unbending patriotism, poi-trayed the .cftrruption of princes, and the unjust and oppressive tyranny of the British Court. ; !¦ Through all the wide rangu of social intercoOFs4 she saw the blazing torch of Liberty illuminatii^ltiie patb of her nominal subjects, and exposing to public scrutiny and scorn, all her ridiculous claims to an ;uncoQditional obedience of these rising States. , At the -polls, and in every hall of legislation, the right of framing such ,laws as the interest of the pub Hc required, and of imposing such taxes as the nes- cepsities ofthe body politic might demand, > was dis cussed with an unshackled freedom, and defended with suctf firmness, as portended the speedy march of thefeecolomail' States to absolute sovereignty and un reserved independence. ; To show conclusively that such a spirit did exist, and that it kindled a glow of patriotic ardor in thie breast of Americans, which defied the princely pow er of Britain to control, we only need advert to the first direct attempts at oppression by the. British gov ernment, which kindled up the fires ofthe revolution ary contest, and terminated in theunconditional inde pendence ofour country : I allude to the duties im- ;pbsed on glass, painters' colors and tea, together with Ithe'memorable stamp-act. These acts of the British :g)0vernment were not resisted merely because of the 4rifli«g contributions which they extorted from Aiiier- kians^for what were the inconsiderable expenses atr itfinding such duties, when compared with the treas ure which must be exhausted in a long and doubtful contest for the acquisition of acknowledged indepen dence 1 They were only as the small dust ofthe bal- amie when weighed agairist^the ponderous mountain -i^^nd what was the aggregate of all the taxes and du ties, in point of value, which Britain ever attempted «to impose on our colonies, when compared with the richest blood which flowed in the veins ofour sainted patriots sand our undaunted heroes — and which wais :poured out' in copious effusions to seal the sacred charter of American Liberty? The paltry sum tf all these expenses, even were they annually to recui* for centaries, is totally unworthy of a comparison with the noble sacrifice which our fathers offered. iti' They had been born and reared amidst all the ele ments of civil and religious freedora, — they had inhal" i«d.the rich fragrance of liberty, and were strangers to the galling chains' of political vassalage. Accuse itoitoed "to the freedom of thought, the freedom of ¦^eeob, and the enjoyment of equal rights, they scorn- -ed'the degrading thought of bowing their necks to thie: yoke of a foreign master. ' riTKey -had itaught their children to claim these blesi im^s as their birth-right, and to esteem them as the *det?irfsfc earthly legacy which Heaven had ever be stowed on man: Blessings never to be aUenfited.; never to be wrested from them, while the geneisQ:!® ,f}dmson flood of life flowed in their veins, or reason held her sway over the empire of the free-born mind> They were not the degraded slaves of de&f&tki power, writhing under the knotty lash of anunfedimg -and tyrant master ; driven by their sufferings l^b madr ness and desperation ; but a noble and generous band of patriots, watching from the lofty battlements of 4heir citadel, the approach of every foe. They had never known nor felt, the oppres^ivie Weight of political servitude, or suffered the removal of a single land-mark oftheir civil or religious rightp: But they beheld afar off", from their lofty eminence, a .proud Britannia, kindling up her fires, and forging the -chains of political vassalage to bind their free-bom ssons. The eye of affection turned with unutterable texk- 4erness upon their wives and children, and their warn ing voice was raised in fii"m remonstrance agauist these signs of hostile operation. That voice was un heeded by the pride and blind infatuation of Britain, who vainly thought, by a few military evolutions^ to fix the chains and rivet the fetters of perpetuiaL servi- .tude upon the elastie and giant limbs of onr infant country. Columbia's sons arose in the majesty r^ef ikevc strength, and with a voice like that of Omnipo tence, prescribing the. bounds and fixing the laws Ibr the government of elementary nature, they, announc ed to the haughty and imperious floods of British power, " Thus far shalt thou go, and no farther ; and here sball thy proud waves be stayed," This voice echoed in the language of independence, from every town, and villag-e, and city of the main, and badb defiance to the disciplined legions of a powerful foe. In the foremost rank of our patriotic Others, stand the names of Adams and Jefferson, em blazoned in all the early glory of our country's literary fame. The former of these worthies, in his able and erudite essay on the Canon and Feudal Law, had al- tesidy reminded the nations of I'lurope, in a bo^diand ele^vated style, that America mnst be M9i-oppressed,*or she would rise and sunder the cords of her minority, and rush to the certain goal of independence : And the latter, in a bold, powerful and polished pohtical essay, embracing a concise view of the rights of British America, had clearly delineated the most striking and essential features ofthe great charter ofour country's freedom ; long before he was designated by his com peers to furnish and tr^ace with a masterly hand, the impressive outlines of that sacred charter of Ameri-; can liberty, the Ihclaration of Independence. What a halo of national glory is shed around that proud but anxious day, when an incomparable band of firm and undaunted patriots, standing unrivalled for the wisdora oftheir counsels, received, and with a.perfect unanimity of feeling and sentiment, ratified in the most solemn and affecting manner, that invalu- ahle instrument, which has ^added an imperishable gr;andeur, and fixed the seal of immortality to our Qiauntry's fame. , What crown- of honour and renown could all th§ hMf^onas of royalty bestow, to corapare with the un stained garland of a country's gratitude, encircling rtie brow of her venerable sages, who, in soleran ap peal to the holy Court ofthe King of kings, impress ed their- seal and devoutly pledfged, upon the altar of libeiityj the richest earthly boon that H-eaven be-, Stows on man, their lives, their fortunes and their sacined heuour. * The bann^s of freedom were unfurled; thestand- $(td^ of national independence waved high over the en- nj^s ;df royalty and oppression, and the sacred tree ifcfrAmerican hberty was watered by tbe tears of wait ing £md anxious multitudes, while our heroic fath- «flSjjlike Eden's Gherabimic toiler, pointed the flaiinfi ii1g«m|iy and the withering t^och ofd^t 8 Our venerable fathers faced the gathering storiii of battle, in all its dread ai-ray ; firmly sustained fhW conflict of war against the mercenary legions' Of a ruthless foe, and engrossed the inviolable charted of our country's rights with the richest and puriest blood^ that ever warmed a patriot's heart. ' The valour, the heroic fortitude, and undaunted firmness of the champions of American freedom, wa^ fully arid severely testedj on the memorable heights Of Bunker's Hill 5 along the " blazing Hues of Sara toga and Yorktown;" bythe flowing waters Ofthe Brandy wine, crimsoned with the blood' of freemen ; amidst the " dreary snows of Vally Forge," and in Other sanguinary coriflicts, too numerous to be men tioned. ' r "'These noble and fearless patriots, who preferred ^he loijs and the perils of war, to the' couch of eHsiB and the tables of luxury ; — who might have shared the prodigal bounty of the throne, revelled amidol the'shiiles of royal favour, 'participated in th^ spltsfl-, dor of iniperial counsels, and r'eposed,- in the shadow Ofa crowii, were prompted by nobldr Views and sen- tifnents, to make the entrenchments of liberty their gtaVes ! *jThey saw, as by the power of prophetic glance,' at long and numerous train, rising up in prospective 'vi^-f iOri, who must either be the slaves of despotic pow^ri ot the heirs of freedom and independence. For tbeth,' they- nobly faced the foe ) for them, they emptied'and drained the crimsoned fount of life ! For us, th^ sacJrificed all that was dear to them on earthy that we m%ht feast upon the viands of liberty and repose in the bowers of independence !—^And shall we forget th^ir toils, and disregard the voice of the martyred bloodof our heroic fathers ? Shall we forget" th^ d^eds oftheir valoui* and prove ourselves unworthy ofthe blOod-bought patrimony of those who nobly stiruggled and fell in freedom's cause ? 1 Let every thought, sO indescribably debasing ' tb the' free-born sons of liberty, be spurnfed with that marked and manly indignance which it so'riiihly merits. 9 !>The voice of their heroic deeds, their toils and tb^r blood, springs from the heaving sods of embat tled plains, and echoes through all the mouldering battlements of early valour, to tell us that they nobly fought- and fell, and triumphed in the assurance ithat their sons should be free. ' What garland can we weave — what tribute can we offijrj that is worthy of such patriotism, such noble self-devotion? — Aware that the most vivid delinea tions which the pencil of rhetoric could trace would do injustice to the noble sacrifice which they offered for their country, we shrink at the gigantic task of attempting to record the eulogy of their undying fame. But their memory shall be embalmed in tbe hearts of their grateful sons, their chivalrous deeds shall radiate the splendid visions of fancy, and their renowned exploits shall kindle up the fires of patriot ic ardor, in the aspiring hearts of free-born millions. And as oft as this proud and welcome anniversary ofthe announcement ofour freedom returns, we will crowd around the standard of independence, and gratefully acknowledge how much we are indebted to tbe unbending firmness of those who stood undaunt ed amidst the dread array of battle, and dyed their garments in the crimson flood that bade a nation to be free : And while we strew the fields oftheir glo ry, and deck the monumental marble which covers tn© remains ofour brave and heroic benefactors, with the choioest • flowers which spring in ever-blooming freshness from the soil which they have enriched and blessed ; we will, with equal fervour of patriotic de votion^ *tender the tribute of affection and gratitude to the venerable few, who' were their companions in the toils, the sufferings and the conflict- of war, — whose frosty! locks have; withstood the blast of many a -wintry stormy and who still survive to tell us the story of our country's wrongs, our country's glory, and the spleridid achievements ofour co?intry's arms, in that ine norable- struggle for the blessings of na tional independence which we now enjoy. We will smooth for them the pillow of age, and gladly lend 2 10 illie helfxing hand lo assisi. theto in[d@ac@Q(4iiigrthe de* 'Clivity of time, and accompany their depariiAf spir its with the purest incense of our fervent and.gratefiil orisons. -: » But it will doubtless be inquired, why is all this importance attached to the successful stru^le ofour revolutionary heroes ? Have not battles, been^fought where equal valor has been displayed ? — Have wot -victories equaUy splendid been achieived hy &^mr men and in other times ? We answer yes: — but tbe cause in which the heroes ofthe revolution were en>- gaged was the cause of freedom, involviing the civjl^ political and religious destin^i of unborn -milliovisw.? The consummation of that declaration wbich waJs announced on the 4th of July 1776, as the foundation '&f a most wise and happy system of goiiternmen^ -may justly be considered as worthy of perpetual. com memoration, because^ it is the most important event iii the history of human affairs, and stands forth in hold relief, without a singl«t parallel in the annals of all nations, -.^ The American system, which was adopted by those -whose wisdom achieved our independence, has been atshdily pursued from the^ earliest estabJisbmmit ;Qf our civil rights, to the present time. A 11, the politi cal revolutions^ reforms and improvements of evei^ sother nation upon the globe, had proved but the tem porary alleviations of systems essentially corrupt iti 'their application to the gneaAjprinciples of a national and a social compact : And hence the American; sys tem wa.s naturally viewed by the: speculating politic ians of;GkirOpe, as beautiful in theory, but .entire^ illufiivein its practical application, especially, to the exigences of war, and to the maintenance of govern ment under the pressure of any collision with afoB- •eign power. 'But the recent contest with the most gigaintic and formidable power of Europe has dissipa* ted-ihis illusion, ' and taught our trans-atlanticf neigh" hours, that'the spirit of republican fbeedosii thongihi long accustomed to reclinein the tents of peace, is^ nevertheless, invincible in the field of hoDQitiahie: 11 eonibat, and equally unconqusrable upon the moun tain wave, where the star-striped banner has waved ilE proud ddiance of all our foes. ?. The theory of all monarchical governments is here ifiet aside ; and the rij^ht of the strong to oppress the weak, is not only discarded, but entirely exploded by the voice of reason and justice, and by the ex press letter of the American Constitution, which clearly recognizes the great political axiom, that '< all wen are created free and equal," The smiles and the favors of sceptred tyrants are lavished with unsparing prodigahty upon a few, and those few are employed as the tools of their ambition to oppress and enslave the multitude of their compa- ritively degratded subjects; the great mass of whom are as effectually excluded from any participation in the affairs of government,! as though they were mere beasts of burden. And itiwill be no palliation of such an offence against the laws of justice and social rights, to he told that they: are so brutalized that they are totally unfit to exercise such highly responsible privi- l^es : For the sole cause of itheir degradation is the unjust and oppressive character of the governments under which' they live. Remove the obstructions of despotism, and diffuse the means of knowledge, and an enlightened, patriotic and virtuous community - would soon emerge from the obscurity of former darkness and ignorance, to shine in the halls of legis lation, to give energy, power and prosperity, to the councils of the state. Our wise and happy Constitution makes ample provision for the equal advancement and freedom of all its subjects: Hence it is infinitely more favorable to the refinements of civilization and the progressive •enei^ies of moral virtue, than any despotic govern ment that was ever founded upon tbe earth. Here the distinguishing right of elective franchise is most extensively enjoyed, and is equally accessible to every virtuous and enlightened citizen ofour coun- fry. In almost every State of our Union, the right of suffrage is indiscriminately extended to the rich If and poor ; so that every moral and intelligent; class of community, enjoys tbe high and invaluahk privi lege of electing their officers, civil and military, and of being fairly and fully represented in the legislative councils of the state and nation. It is true, however, that in this particular there are some remains of aristocracy among us, which have hitherto escaped ttie vigilance of reform : And we regret to acknowledge that this excrescent branch of despotism is still cherished and diefended; by the few, who have yet to learn that the iright of suffrage properly belongs to men, and not to i thie soil' which they may enjoy the privilege of cultivating, n n i It requires nrither the powers of a Loekoinor of a Newton, to discern that the rich are dependent up* on the poor for the raost of their luxuries»ahd enjmpc ments ; or, that they are equally dependent upon the same class, in times of peril and war, for the defenee of their palaces, their persons, their sumptuous farej their large estates, and their domestic fire-sides. — r And pray, sball the most effective class of our citi zens bo dignied the privilege of choosing their com mander, when the peril of their country's freedom shall call thom to the posts of honorable and patriot ic defence?* We hope to see, at no far distant pe riod, this disgusting limb of; tyranny amputated from the fair colossal statue of our country's venerat@d'4n^ stitutiuns, buried in the grave of eternal oblivion, and the sons of freedom enjoying all the privileges^am- munities and blessings of rightful liberty and boasted independence: And we doubt Jiot that the wisdora ofour legislative councils will cheerfully listen to the 0all, and promptly obey the mandate of our citizens^ in the removal of an evil so obviously incompatible with the letter and spirit of the American ConstitM* tion, and so clearly repugnant to the plainest dictates of reason and' justice. *We think there are very few men in this part of the country, whoWouldadvocate a denial of tho right of suffrage lo such aa bear arms, or to such as pay taxes in war way, for the support of government. '' v i < ¦ ' 'r 13 •Here, to an extent unknown in any other country upon the face of the globe, the sacred and inviolable rights of conscience are most scrupulously regarded! No proud, exclusive and domineering^ ecclesiastical bigot is here clothed with the powers of proscription, nor permitted to force conviction upon the heaH of the trembling victim ofhis ghastly arrogance and su* perstition, by instruments of torture, the terrors of tbe'dungeon, or the -immolating fires of pergeciition and death. No sceptred Pope, with triple crown, rides in tbe triumphal car of state, receiving' the ob sequious homage of blind and superstitious ignOrance'; or, throned upon the bloody rack of sacerdotal ven geance, with dark portentous brow, emitting the terrific horrors of infernal furies, lighting up. With beUish glance, the fatal fires of death, nor exulting with hellish pleasure amidst the groans and agonies of expiring victims. No proud and ostentatious prelate here rolls in the chariot of splendour, attracting the vacant gaze ofthe multitude, imperiously demanding a tenth of all the fruits of your honest toils, nor with the uplifted and resistless arm ofciVil power, forcing upon yduraci ceptance' the unmeaning jargon of his heterogeneous creted. Ohi happy exemption ! enjoyed only by the favoured family of the free and the brave. It is Co lumbia's birth-right, — America's exclusive boast ! But let not the delusive thought, that the present enjoymt^nt of such ine.stimable blessings can be an effectual guarahtee for the perpetuity df their'contin- ¦uance, without tfie co-operative energies oTthe friends of civil and religious liberty. Clerical ambition, spiritual pride, and an insatiable thirst for unlimited povver, have, in all ages of the world, marked the ^progress of the haughty spirit of religious domina- 'Mon.^'* '"i"' ^''' ' ' ' '• ¦ ¦ There isrio dark fiend to moral purity and'free- dom ; to civil and religious liberty, and to the social and political' improvement of mankind so much to be dreaded, as the unbending spirit of religious bigotry. Its zeal is untiring J^ its ambition is boundless; the 14 fruitfulness ofits inv^itive faculties exceeds' all ^ powers of ordinary calculation ; its monopolizing scb^mes are laid in the darkness ofthe midnight cott- clave ; and to its sordid avarice, no human bounds can be prescribed ! It unblushingly proscribes the fpifit of free inquiry ; brands with the opprobrioHig epithet of infidehty, all who dare to question the in- falbbiUty. of its creed; binds the pliant youthful mind in chains of servile bondage, and aims at nothing short ofthe ultimatum of universal empire ! It would prostrate the glorious temple of national freedom, and riot with demonial pleasure amidst its crumbling ruins ! It would hurl from tbe seats of lani^hority the highest dignitaries of the nation^ close every avenue to preferment against the enltghtcite^ liberal and independent citizen, and fill every offii^ civil and military, with its cringing and hypocri(if#)|l sycophants ! ¦'- 1 am aware that the siren voice is often beard,, and too often lulls us into careless security — " No danr^ ger need be apprehended from the spirit of ecclesias<- jtical intolerance, in a country so free and so univ^ sally enlightened as our own." But, fellow-citizensi .this is tiie very period of danger and alarm: For when the cry of ^^ peace and safety,''^ charms the jealouB fears of our countrymen into the slumbers of qui#t repose, " then sudden destruction?^ may be waijitvig at the very portals of liberty ! "Can ye not discern the signs of the times 7"-^ See ye not that dark portentous cloud, gatheiiag blackness^as it emerges from tbe troubled waters M clerical and inquisitorial proscription 1 Have ye not Jheard the monster bigotry, denouncing the chief mag istrate of a free and independent people, as unwor-* thy the honours that gather around him, because his understanding revolts at some mystical interpretji- tions ofthe sublime revelations ofthe God-t The venerable shade of our departed heroes, were they permitted to revisit the land oftheir toils, sftid the scenes of their struggles and their blood, would raise the warning voice and bid us grind to powder, tbe last hnk of that accursed chain, which is forging to bind in adamantine wretchedness, the unborn mil* lions of our inconscious posterity. 4i Fellow-Citizens — We are Araericans — Nor can we bear the sharaeful thought of bending down uhd^ the burden of suchi criminal disgrace. — We will prove, by the generous glow ofour patriotic aidmi that we are the sons of those brave and undaunted philanthropists, whose wisdom and valour achieved the laurels of undying fame for. their country, both in the cabinet and in the field. And as oft as this proud day ribturns, and the banners ofour freedom are un furled, we will salute its orient srailes with the voice of Columbia's thunder and theanerry peal rf bells*; crowd around the standard oft our couBtry's 'gte^-^^f listen to the recital of her wrongs, and the splea^^d achievements of her arms ; teach the rising genera tion, to gird themselves for the manful resistance of every unhallowed attempt to demolish her triumphal arch, and to fix the mark of strong suspicion on him who shall dare to frown upon the innocent festivitias of this, welcome annivensaryi i , , . s. // We will fondly cherish that lovely plant of celes*- tial origin, the mild and attractive religion ofthe Son of God, which never sought preferment in the balll of legislation, or to climb the acclivity of ambition^ and place itself in the chair of secular autboi^^ We will carefully distinguish between the spirits^* those who se<.'k the props of civil power to advance the interest of their religion, and the spirit of hira who announced, " My kingdom is not of this world." — And while we venerate the meek and unobtrusive claims of pure and undefiled religion, we will, with equal justice, discriminate the odious features of the modern beast, which has borrowed the emblematp 17 horns of the lamb^> but which <' spi^aks like a dra^on^ and would exercise all the authority of the formef papal beast." ' Fellow-Citizens— There is yet .another enemyj whose cold, phlegmatic spirit never kindled into rap ture at its country '^s prosperity and glory. Whose sordid avarice would paralyze all the energies of. po litical economy; whose inordinate love of present emolument would effectually clog all tho vast appa ratus of internal improvement, and even sever the sa cred bond which unites the numerous members of this powerful and independent Republic ! But, as regards such political monsters, one sentiment only will pervade the breast of every true American, — '¦ That their names deserve no better fate than that of being consigned to an iramortality of infamy and dis-- grace. Tbe effective moral and political energies of our wide-spread population, still presents the pleasing and welcome prospect of an undecaying prosperity and glory. The twenty years of blood and carnage in the southern hemisphere of our continent^ and the arduous and doubtful struggle of oppressed and de graded Greece, for the acquisition of the invaluable blessings whicb we enjoy, admonish us to rally round theimmortal standard of freedom, and to guard^ with the vigilant unslurabering- perseverance of the political Father of our country, and his brave associates, the dearest rights of American Independence; which, like some newly discovered constellation in the heavens, has already attracted the intense and enchanted gaze ofthe adrairing miUions of ICurope And while we steadily pursue the path marked out by our political sages ; the political path of our illustrious Washington and his worthy compatriots, we shall furnish irresisti ble evidence to all the nations of the earth, that no other form of government is absolutely favorable to the diffusion qf universal intelligence, and the spread and permanence of universal peace. For the history of all 'ages has clearly demonstrated, that plunder and revenge are tbe only objects of barbarian warfare — 3 18 that ambition, pride, resentmeiut, and extent of terri tory, are the moving springs of all monarchical con tests — and that the only motives wbich can induce a well regulated Republic to engage in tbe conflict of war, are the defence of her sqUj her subjects and her liberties. And hence results the irresistible convic tion, that the mild and salutary influence of pure re publican principles, aided by the spirit of genuine Christianity, can alone issue in the hastening of the golden age, when "swords shall be beaten into plough-shares, and spears into pruning-books," and universal peace pervade the empire of thts world. Who then can stifle the voice of conscience, or hush the tumults of joy, on the return of this wel come anniversai^y ; when he beholds bis ; beloved country in the foremost ranks Of liberty, waving and tendering the olive branch of peace to all the nations of the earth? Shall not such joyous visions lift our souls in pious gratitude to Heaven, prompt the warm and feeling glow of patriotic ardor,' and bid it flow in the bold and melting strains of poetic grandeur! Shall not every American, in the overflowings of his joy, ex claim — . •' Columbia, Columbia, to glory arise, 1^' r'.,. i The Queen ofthe world and the child ofthe skies : Thy genius commands thee, wilh rapture behold, While ages on ages, thy splendor unfold. Thy reign is the last, and the noblest of time, Most fruitful thy so,il, most inviting, thy clime ; Let crimes of the east ne'er; encrimson thy name, Be freedom, and science, and virtue thy fame. To conquest, and slaughter, let Europe aspire, Whelm nations in blood, and wrap cities in fire; Thy heroes the rights of mankind shall defend, And triumph pursue them and glory attend. A world is thy realm : for a world be thy laws, Enlarg'd as thine-empire, and just as thy cause, • ^ ¦¦ On freedom's broad basis, thy empire shall rise, ' Extend with the main, and dissolve with the skies. 19 Thy fleets to all nations thy pow'r shall display, The nations admire, and the ocean obey ; Each shore to thy glory its tribute unfold, And the East and the South yield their spices and gold. As the day-spring unbounded, thy splendor shall flow, And earth's little kingdoms before thee shall bow, While the ensigns of union, in triumph unfurled, Hush the tumult of war, and gire< peace to the world !" APPEWDI2. The following extracts will afibrd sufficient to justify the conclusion, that the present is an alarming crisis, demanding the prompt and united energies of the friends of civil and re ligious liberty. Not having the originals, we have copied FROM THE REFORMER. The following extracts are from a discourse entitled " The Duty of Christian Freemen to elect Christian Rulers," deliver ed on the Fourth of July, 1827, in the Seventh Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia : by Ezra Styles Ely, D. D. "None ofour rulers have the consent oftheir Maker that they should be Pagans, Sorinians, Mussulmen, Deisis, the opponents of Christianity; and a religious people should never think of giving them permission, as public officers, to be and do, what they might not lawfully be and do, as private individuals.. If a man may not be a gambler and drink to intoxication m tbe western wilds, he may not at tbe seat of government; if he may not with the approbation of bis fellow-citizens, in a little village of the north, {Boston,) deny 'the true God and eternal life.' be may not countenance, abet, and suppsrt tbose who deny the Deity ofour Lord Jesus Christ at Washington. In otber words, our Presidents, Secretaries of the Government, Senators, and other Representa tives in Congress, Governors of States, Judges, State Legislators, Justices of tbe Peace, and city Magistrates, are just as much bound as any other persons in the United States, to be orthodox in their faith, and virtuous and religious in Iheir whole deportment. They may no more lawfully be bad husbands, wicked parents, men of heretical opinions, or men of dissolute lives, than tbe obscure individual who would be sent to Bridewell for his blasphemy or de bauchery. Il propose, fellow-citizens, a new sort of union, or, ifyou please, a Christian forty in politics, whicb I am exceedingly desirous all good men in our country should join; not by subscribing a constitution and the formation ofa new society, but by adopting, avowing, and determining to act upon truly religious principles in all civil' matters. I am aware that the true Christians of our <;puntry are divided into many diSerent denominations; who have alasJ too many points of jealousy and collision; still a union to a very great extent, and for the, most valuable purposes in not impracticable. All wjbo profess, tp be Christians Af any denomination, ought to agree thpti tjjey will, support qo man as a candidate for any office, who is not professedly; f^iepdly tp Christianity, and a believer in Pivine Revelation. If three or four of the most numerous denominations of Christians in the United i-tates, the: Presbyterians, the Baptists, the Methodists and Congfegation^lists for in-. stance, should act upon this principle, our country would never be dishonored ^ith. an apowed Infidel* in her national cabinet or capitqi. The Presbytg' * Mr. Aoutt, vat qf the ami d*voted Cbristiani in the Unitad Slain. But he is a UoiTtKiitn. 22 riant alone could bring half a miUion of electors into the field, in oppositioa to any known advocates of Deism, Socinianism, or any species of avowed hos tility to the truth of Christianity. If to the denominations above named, wa add the members ef the Protestant Episcopal Church in our country, the elect ors of these five classes of true Christians, united in the sole requisitidn of ap parent friendship to Christianity in. every candidate for office whom they will support, could govern every public electiorim our country, without infringing in tbe least upon the charter ofour civil liberties. To these might be added, in this State and Ohio, the numerous Gerraan Christians, and in New- York and New-Jersey, the members of the Reformed Dutch Church, who are all zealous for the fundamental truths of Christianity. What should prevent us from co-operating in such a union as this? Let a man be of good moral character, and let him profess to believe in and advocate the Christian relig ion, and we can all support bim. Let us awake, then, fellow Christians, to our sacred duty to our Divine Master; and let us have no rulers, with our consent and co-operation, who are not known to be avowedly Christian^. It will be objected that my plan of a truly Christian party in polities will make hypocrites. We are not answerable for their hypocrisy if it does. — There is no natural tendency in the scheme to raake men deceivers— and if real enemies of the Christian religion conceal their enmity, that concealment is for the public good. We wish all iniquity, if not exterminated, may, as if ashamed, hide its head. It will be well for our country when all men whp expect dffice are under the necessity of appearing honest, sober, pure, be nevolent and' religious. It is most of all desirable tpat public officers should be good men, friends of God, followers of Jesus Christ, and lovers of their country — but 'it is a matter of thankfulness if tbey are constrained to seem such persons; for in this'way, vice and the propagation of vice by evil example is prevented- It will be objected, moreover, that my scheme of voting' on political elections, according to certain fixed religious principles, will create jealousies among the difierent denomioations of Christians. But why should it ?'. Our rulers which we have elected are of some, or of no religious sect.-^ Ifthey are of no religious denomination, they belong to the party of infidels. [Singular reasoning.] Ifthey are of any one of the denominaliousof true Christians, it is better, in the judgment of all true Christians, that they should be oftbat one company than in the fellowship of Infidels. ¦ Let a civil ruler, then, be a Cliristian of some sort, we will all say, rather than not a Christian of any denomination. If we fix this as a principle, of our political morality, we shall all be gratified in turn, and in part, by having Christian rulers ofour own .description. , . Let us never support by our votes any immoral man , or any known con temner of any of the fundamental doctrines of Ca/vin, for any office; and least of all for the Presidency of theseiUnited. States. Let us elect men who dare to acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ for their Lord in the public docu^ ments. Which of our Presidents has ever done this ! It would pick no Infi del's pocket, knd break no Jew's neck, if our President should be so singular as to let it be known that he is a Christian by his Messages, and an advocate for the Deity of Christ by bis personal preference ofa Christian temple to a Socinian conventicle." Such are the sayings of Ezra Stiles Ely, a Presbyterian " Doctor of Divinity," Of the city of Philadelphia. How long before be and his partizans will be able to bring their " religious rulgrs" into power in this country, it is difiicult to say. When this is the case, we may bid a final farewell to our re ligious liberties, and the right to enjoy our own faith, and worship God accord ing to the dictates ofour consciences. Methodists, Baptists, and others, who might, in the first instance, unite in promoting the schemes of Preebyferiati doctors of divinity, would soon find themselves placed in the back ground in governmental affairs, (as in the Tract and Sunday School business,) and ulti mately tbey would have to surrender their rights or be devoured by their more gowerful and influential rival. We have nothing to object against having the est and most truly pious men for rulers; but such as Presbyterian doctors of 23 divinity would esteem the best and most pious, we should fear and dread much mote than his •• Holiness," the Pope. Such religious rvlers once had the rule m New-England, and they ruled indeed with a rod of iron, imprisoning. WhlDDinff. nrnnninn. nnA Kanrrinr* thnoa ».u» A:- *^'A fram '¦*" ¦• • ^ # .u.= ... «ow-E,iigiauu, ana mey ruiea indeed with a rod of iron, imprisoning, whipping, cropping, and hanging those who dissented frpm them in religious matters. -» " , PROM THE SAME. [The following handbill, or circular, was received by the Ed itor, through the medium of (he Post Office:] Sunday School Union, or Union of Church and State. Fellow CJMzens— The committee ofthe American Sunday School Union, have now before the Legislature ofPennsylvania, a petition praying forantnl corporation of their society. By a perusal of the following extracts, copied from their own publications, you can at once perceive the danger that will arise from an incorporation, and ought immediately to remonstrate against it. rf this society should be incorporated, the period is not far distant, when a. more open and daring attempt will be made to obtain greater power, at which time it will be too late to prevent their success. EXTRjlCTS. ^ Your Board have felt desirous therefore, not only of furnishing their own schools with suitable books, but of intriducins sunh books into schools ofa difi'^rent description, and of rendering them so abundant as to force out of circulation those which tend to mislead the mind." — "They have not been backward therefore to assume the high responsibility of revising and altering the hooks they have published, wherever alterations seemed necessary."^ Sunday School Union, 2d Report, p. v. " While the committee feel the immense fesponsibility which they assume, in becoming Dictators to, the Consciences of thousands of immortal beings, on tbS great and all i.-nportant subject, of the welfare of their souls; while they'dread the consequences of uttering forgeries, or giving sanction to misrepresentations ofthe glorious' truth ofthe gospel, they are not backward to become the responsible arbiters in these high points, rather than tamely is sue sentiments which in their consciences they believe to be false or inconsis tent with the purity of divine truth :.in preparing works for the press, the ut most liberty is used with regard to whatever is republished by tbem." — Catalogue A. 8. S. U. 1826. " These institutions may terminate in an organized system of mutual co operation between ministers and private christians, so that every church shall be a disciplined army, where every one knows his place, and where every one has a place and a duty in the grand onset against sin." . " In ten years, or certainly in twenty, the political power of our coun try would be in the hands of men whose characters have been formed under the influence of Sabbath Schools." — P. 93, Appendix to 2d Jin. Mep.. S. S. U. 1826. " The Annual report ofthe managers was then read by the Rev. Dr. Ely, ofthe tbird Presbyterian church, by whom it was written." — Page xvii. Re' part of 1827. "Citizens of this free country!— What say you to these things? Will you still refuse to believe that an effort is making to establish an Ecclesiasti cal tyranny over you, and to deprive you of the dear bought liberties left '-Itj^our patriotic sires. Pepend upon it, the alarm is not a false one. The ^ll'^fwar is already sounded by the enemies of political and religious free- S4 ^ dbm. An attempt is making tn bring this, chuntry under the ydke of an ee* ^esiastical domination, and will you look silently on, call the anthin^s of it pious men, and st^er them to carry on their work under the specious doak of pretended zeal for Qisd and holiness .'" : . - Feb. 4tb, 1828. j|| After candidly considering the language of the above ex- , tracts, who can doubt that the most strenuous efforts are mak ing! for the union of Church and State? Such extensive plans of operation must be defeated, or the time is not far dist^^ when we must fee] the unmerciful rigours of an Ecclesiastical Hierarchy. \i% i '¦ ¦*'» '" '< is? * 'j .' , / (h - : e J. ¦ J' 1 .'¦>' ; ..%^ '". n ..-.^ .iri! ¦n .<' /:, ^ ¦• Ii ¦ "' . '