Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 7.djvu/285

 AN ORATION.

��COUNTRYMEN, BRETHREN, and FATHERS,

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��E are now affembled to celebrate an annlverfary, ever to be held in dear remem- brance by the fons of freedom. Nothing lefs than the birth of a nation, nothing lefs than the emancipation of three millions of people, from the deeradinof chains of foreig^n dominion, is the event we commemorate.

Twenty four years have this day elapfed, lince United Columbia firft railed the flandard of Liberty, and echoed the fhouts of Independence !

Those of you, who were then reaping the iron harveft of the martial field, whole bofoms then palpitated for the honor of America, will, at this time, experience a renewal of all that fervent patriotifm, of all thofe indefcribable emotions, which then agitated your brealls. As for us, who were either then unborn, or not far enough advanc- ed beyond the threlhold of exiftence, to engage in the grand confli6l for Liberty, we now mofl cordially unite with you, to greet the return of this joyous anniverfary, to hail the day that gave us Freedom, and hail the rifing glories of our country !

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On occafions like this, you have heretofore been addreffed, from this Itage, on the nature, the origin, the expediency of civil government. — The field of political fpeculation has here been explored, by perfons, polleffing talents, to which the fpeaker of the day can have no pretenfions.

Declining

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