lfati&&, A . L6^C^3J^^ r>cc^^ ^T-^- < v ^^^^' - > '<'*>' A N ADDRESS THERE is a Spirit-in Man ; and the inspiratioa of the Almighty hath given him Understanding /" Happily for man,unhappily for the despot who oppressed, for the demagogue who deceives him, this Spirit rouses to resistance; this Understanding unveils the visage, and exposes the arts of ambition. But when no arbitrary despot enthrals, and no aspiring demagogue deludes; when the wisdom and patriotism of the government are difplayed in the peace and prosperity of the people; when it is the proud employment of illustrious men, \ " To scatter Plenty o'er a smiling land, " And read their hist'ry in a nation's eyes ; the Spirit and the Understanding combine, to render to> their rulers the willing homage of a glad and grateful people. FOR this, Friends and FellowXitizens, we are here assembled. Had we convened to commemorate the day, which introduced to the world some fool or knave, whom Chance had made a King, or to consecrate the nativity of some idol or martyr of superstition, whom Hierarchy had dubbed a Saint, we might well strive to forget, in the tumult of unmeaning mirth, the occasion -which prompted it, and to drown, in hollow acclamations, the source whence they arose. But we need not employ these arts of self-delusion. The festive (6) joy, which at this time electrifies our Fellow-Citizen*, in every section of jibe coittirjent, which at tFTis moment riots in the breasts and glistens in the eyes of applautU ing millions, evinces that honest, heart-felt, Republi- can Gratitude, which does equal honor to those who receive, and those who proffer it. A recurrence to the motives of our hilarity will cause our hearts to thrill with livelier transport, and beat with added animation. THE event we pelebrate, whether we regard merely its intrinsic consequence, or the mode in whic{i it was produced, will well justify owr joy and gratulation. The acquisition of the vast territory of Louis-iana, in itself was-a great, a wonderful atchievement of wisdom and policy. The means, by which it was obtained, afford an honorable, an unprecedented example of magnaakni^ ty and justice,, THE value of the acquisition is beyond doubt or dis- pute. The high estimation, in which it was once held by those, whom the spirit of party now induces to un- derrate and belittle it, furnishes unequivocal evidence of its magnitude. Before the object had been compassed, before success had given a sanction to the project, when the most sanguine of the votaries of hope were startled at the boldness of the enterprize ; at this time, the enemies of the government were loud in their assertions, that the attainment was of the first and greatest moment. They likened Louisiana to the roc's egg, in the Eastern Tale, to gain which no sacrifice could be too great, and in the attempt to gain which, they felt assured the Administra- n would incur defeat, disgrace and ruin. The injury, (7 ) L * Western-Brethren " had sustained, oy ^, unofficial encroachment of a subordinate Spanish offi- cer, was described with affecting and pathetic earnestness. These Western Inhabitants, who, four short years since, were treated by these very men with every mark of indig- nity and insult, and loaded with every term of reproach, -these " W%i5%-fl0y5,"~these " Offscourings of the earth" ihese ** Sweepings of creation, " were all at once, by the magk influence of party, converted into the dearly-be- loved " brethren " of their former calumniators, and be- came subjects of the tend/er mercy and loving kindness of Ross, MASON and MORRIS ! That the United States MUST possess the control of the navigation of the Mis- lisippi, was stated as a settled and establifhed point. To prevent the colonization of the country by the French, was declared an object of great and momentous concern. The Northern States were told, by these careful guardians of their rights and interest, that if the proposed colonization should be effected, their Commerce to the West-Indies would be materially injured, if not utterly destroyed. The dangers consequent on the vi- cinity of a great arufc-enterprizuig colony, were depicted in dark and frowning characters. The exuberant fertil- ity of the soil, the delightsome salubrity of the clime, were painted, in the richest and most brilliant colors, by the pencil of romance. In a word, we were told, that an adequate compensation for such an acquirement ut of the vocabulary. WELL-versed in the maxims of European policy, our American disciples of the "Old-School," our " Friends to Order and Steady Habits, " viewed the proposition for an amicable adjustment, as a most dangerous and dread- ful " INNOVATION." T.he very idea was replete with " Modern Philosophy." The government were instantly accusedof meannessof spiritjof cowardice and pusillanim- ity. An immediate declaration of hostilities was loudly demanded. War ! WAR ! W r AR ! was proclaimed with incessant clamor, by the meek and pious friends of the 16 Gospel of Peace and Reconciliation." They appeared, for a time, to have divided their rancour between the Ad- ministration and the Spaniards. Each Federal QUIXOTE was on tiptoe to post off to New-Orleans, and find Wind- (9) Mill Giants to fight with. Each Federal HOTSPUR, in loud and vaunting tones, exclaimed : -Then let them come ; *' And to the fire-eyed maid of smoaky war, " All hot and bleeding will we offer them. " The mailed MARS shall on his altar sit, " Up to the ears in bbod." BAnCTG THE veteran heroes of Harper's Ferry and the Oxford Encampment were again to brighten their bayonets, to ff- feft, not to repel invasion ; and the invincible New-York, General was again to quit the Bar for the Camp, and drop his brief to take up a muster-roll. True, the event of a war was hazardous and uncertain ; the expense and the horrors certain and inevitable. But what then ? The failure of an attempt was a completion of their plan. - They well knew, that the expense of an armed force would be felt, and felt sensibly by the people. They knew also, from sad experience, that the administration, which raised a needless military force, gave a death- wound to its popularity. Every misfortune of the Gov- ernment would have been to them a source of joy ; for fcvery blot on its escutcheon would serve as a foil to their armdrial bearings. A War> and an unsuccessful War, was a " consummation devoutly to be wished/' for then might they hope to regaintheirlost popularity then might they expect to revive their dying influence. True the bones of many a gallant soldier might bleach on the banks of the Missisiffi ; the breast of many an orphan child might throb with the agony of paternal bereave- ment ; the tear of conjugal grief might bedew the cheek of B tnany a widowed mother. But these misfortunes won] befal only the " SioinishMultiludc." The well-born," t! " EvgeneiS)' the " HOWARDS, and BUKLEIGHS an SOMERSETS of our country" would find ample remi nefation, in the offices and Promotions, a war v.ouid pr< vide for their dissolute descendants. BUT vain alike were all their artful intrigues, and the: boisterous clamors. Unbiassed by the one, unhee'Sin the other, the Administration pursued the path of po icy, with deliberate, determined and considerate energ^ Disregarding the puny censure of disappointed part zans^ despising the little rnalice of the slaves of factior they consulted only the interest arid honor of the nation Like our "frst and greatest revolutionary char after" the evinced the rare courage to despise the imputation of cov ardice, and to confide their vindication to the iinpartii verdict of their country and posterity. It is only on pre< and trying occasions, that such men display their brightc talents or their noblest qualities. Like the fabled gci of the Ocean, in th gairish sun-shine of prosperity, the lustre is a bright, but unheeded sparkle ; in the gloom night of adversity, they shine and they enlighten. A the momentous crisis we commemorate, the Govcn rnent disclaimed alike the blustering threats of a bulh and the pitiful whine of a suppliant. In a mild an moderate, but manly and determined tone, they demanc en reparation of the wrong, and security against its fi ture recurrence. "While with one hand they profTerre the peaceful olive-branch ; the other was nerved to ur sheath the sword of vengeance. THE success of their efforts we this day celebrate. By fair, honest, pacific, Republican measures, we have acquired possession of the fertile fields of Louisiana ; we have gained complete cpntrol of all the Western Wa- ters ; and the flag of the Union waves ;n triumph over ;he Levee of 0,rleans^ BUT it \s not merely the selfish consideration, that we have obtained possession of a city or a country, or the navigation of a river, that warrants our festive rejoicings. Our hearts dilatewith nobler rapture and with new enjoy- ment, when we recollect, that, by this event, is openeda " WIDER SPREAD FOR THE BLESSINGS OF FREEDOM AND EQUAL LAWS I" A true Republican does not confinehis regard to the narro,w circle in which he may be placed. Enlisted in the holy cause of Freedom, he traces her prog- ress with equal delight, whether she wantons in the lux- uriant fields of Italy.* or climbs the rugged heights of Switzerland ; whether her footsteps press the vine-clad hills of France, or the bleak mountains of Norway; whether, to " redress the rigors of the inclement dime" she scatters her dews on the arid plains of the Equator, or melts, with her fires, the frozen fetters of the pole ! To him, every advocate of the same glorious cause is a friend and a brother. He groups, with an eye of im- partial admiration, the worthies of ancient.aiKl of modern days, who have fought under her banners. He views, with eq'ial affection and respect, an EMMET on the scaffold, and a HANCOCK in the Chair of State ; a CA- MILLUS in banishment, and a FAYSTIE in prison ; a CA- ( '2 ) TO on his sword, and a BRISSOT under the guillotine ; a CURRAN defending the rights and lives of the victims of oppression, and a JEFFERSON protecting the peace and prosperity of the sons of liberty a ROWAN, bending his fxiled steps from the land of his nativity, and a WASH- INGTON, retiring to the scenes of his youth, laden with laurels, and escorted by the acclamations of his country- men. Proud of a connection with the intrepid defend- ers of the RIGHTS of MAN, he regrets their excesses, and bewails their misfortunes. He laments that delirium of Freedom, which armed with daggers and with pikes the people of France, which erected the guillotine, which inscribed death and devastation in letters of blood on the banners of the United Sons of Erir^ which clogged with carcasses the channel of the Seine, and crimsoned with blood the waves of the Liffey / But still more does he detest the dark, designing, determined cruelty of despo- tism. Fcr the one springs from great and ennobling motives from the generous impatience of wounded | honor, of irritated feeling, of honest zeal for " OP- PRESSED HUMANITY." ; The other is the offspring of cold, jealous, malicious cowardice, of conscious vil_ lainy. The one consigns its victims to a certain and inevitable fate, from the warm and unreflecting impulse of excited passion. The other imposes the torture of suspense and the horror of anticipation. Or when pro- miscuous slaughter is decreed by the dark Conclave of Tyranny, she mingles with the bloody obsequies of mur- der, the solemn mockery of devotion. She chaunts th (. '3 ) sacred hyrnn of Gratitude to GOB,* while the shrieks of the massacred fill every pause of the choral rites of hy- pocricy. She raises to Heaven with all the affectation of praise and prayer, hands but just imbrued in the blood of immolated innocence ! FELLOW-CITIZENS ! In the occasion of our joy, we anticipate neither the excesses of Liberty, nor the hor- rors of 'Tyranny. We rejoice, that an Empire of Laws is about to be established ; that mild, social,, ra- tional Freedom is about to pervade a widely-extended terrritory ; that Despotism and his minions are expelled from this fair American Eden^ and that the " cherubim" are posted, and the " flaming sword,which turneth every- way" is suspended, to prevent their return. AND while we offer to our Rulers our tribute of ap- plause, for this Stance of their wisdom and patriotism, let us not forget, that this is but one of a series of mer- itorious services ; that they have labored incessantly,hon- * THE name of CATHERINE II, late Emprtss of the Russias, reminds HS of all that is base in treachery, or diabolical in cruelty. She appears to have existed, merely to convince the world, that it is the blasting and destructive effect of a Crown to take away, net only all that is humane and honorable in a man, but all that" is lovely and attractive in a female. When the Monster SUWARROW, a fit agent of this " Sbt.^olf of the Worth," had sacked the city of Warsaw, and ten hours after all resistance had ceased, set fire to the city, consumed in the flames the sick and wound- ed, and in cold blood put to the sword all the other inhabitants, including old men, women and children, to the number of 'nine thtusand : In com - melioration of this happy event, this pious Princess set apart a day of sol. *mn Thanksgiving to God, and ordered ** Te Dfu;i" to be sung in s.\l the churches. estly and successfully for the public good ; that they fcave thus justly acquired the praise, the esteem, the sup^ port of every friend to his country. The foul and with- ered hand of Envy has been extended to pluck the wreath of glory from their brows. But IN VAIN ! There wili it bloom in perennial verdure, unblasted by the pestilen- tial breath of slander,or the chill frost of ungrateful neg~ iect. The darts of calumny, like the arrows of XERXES, may, for a time, darken the atmosphere of reason ; but when aimed at such exalted, characters, the " strong breast-plate of a heart untainted a " blunts and repels them. " IF there be any in this assembly ," any inveterate foe to the great and good men, to whom we have confid- ed the destinies of our nation ; any, \vho with the vio- lence of heated invective, or the cunning of cautious ma- lignity, assails their characters and. traduces their actions let him withdraw from the festivities of this day, and seek, in some gloomy retirement, a scene more congenial with, the color of his soul. Let him not damp, even with a look of distrustful jealousy, the high and buoyant ten^ or of our joys. AND for you, REPUBLICANS ! you, who decided and undeviating, have adhered to the principles of our Glorious Revolution, who have never " defiled your gar- ments," who have "held fast your integrity," and re- mained firm and unshaken amidst the obloquy, the con- tempt and derision, to which you were exposed, during the " reign of terror ;" DISCIPLES OF FREEDOM f who endured the oppression of Scribes and Pharisees, for her sake, witnessed her Crucifixion, watched at her Seput- chrc, and awaited her Resurrection ; suffer notyoursuc- cess and your triumph to lull your watchfulness, or to paralize your energies. Let not the fortress, you have acquired by your valor, be lost by your listlessness, or betrayed by your false security. inattention to your highest concerns admits of no palliation. Interest, pas- sion, or prejudice may incite your opponents to their ceaseless warfare against Truth and Republicanism. But for an indolent and indifferent neglect of duty, there ii no excuse. No motive can be assigned, which is noi humiliating to you, and treacherous to your country f " Who is not WITH MS, is AGAINST us : and whoso GATH- ERETH not, SCATTERETH !" NEVER had a cause nobler inducements to offer ; never had a cause better or more brilliant prospects, The Sun of Republicanism has grown brighter anil brighter, almost unto perfect day ! Already it shines with full-orb'd splendor, on the mountains of Hamp- shire. Already has it " tipt, with its rising beams," the hundred hills of Massachusetts. Soon may every portion of our Fellow-Citizens and our Fellow-Men bask in its meridian rays ! Soon may that glorious political Millen- nium arrive, when every knee shall bow to the MAJESTY of the PEOPLE, and every tongue confess their SOVE- REIGNTY ! ! END. POSTSCRIPT. [A FEw'sentences, in ths I4th page of the preceding performance, we r& extracted from a former news-paper publication of the Author. Wheth- er or not, this be plagiarism, he leaves to critical casuists to determine,