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is nothing fills my heart with a more bitter sense of degradation and indignity than that my equals, those men to whom neither birth, nor fortune, nor education, nor, I humbly conceive, intellect, can give any claim to superiority over me, should come upon me with the air of patronage and protection. — O'Connell

There was a period of similar importance in the history of England. Franklin — Benjamin Franklin — with more of talent than any of us could boast, but with an equally sincere desire of combining America with England and perpetuating the connexion — the virtuous Franklin proffered the dutiful submission of the hearts and hands of America to be devoted to the service of England. And what did he require? A mere act of justice. How was he received? With derision, contempt, and insult. England refused to be just; she laughed to scorn the force of America. She even boasted that by the night-watch of a single parish all the armed power of America could be put down. It was deemed safe to oppress, and therefore oppression was continued. The Americans forgot their feuds, banished their domestic dissensions, combined in patriotic determination, rushed to arms, and — oh! may heaven be thanked for it!—