of them, a free
and independent nation. Yes, my countrymen, she was determined to
spare neither blood nor treasure, until she had accomplished the
grand object of her intentions; an object, my friends, which she
was prompted by Heaven to undertake, and inspired by all that
honor, justice, and patriotism could infuse; her armies were then
in the field, with a WASHINGTON at their head, whose upright
conduct and valorous deeds you have often heard related, and the
memory of whom should be held sacred in the breasts of every
true-born American. Let his heart beat high at the name of
WASHINGTON! Sacred as the archives of heaven! for he was a man of
truth, honor, and integrity, and a soldier fostered by the gods,
to be the saviour of his country.

The struggle was long and arduous; but our rallying word
was--"Liberty or Death!" Torrents of blood were spilt; towns and
villages were burnt, and nothing but havoc, devastation and
destruction, was seen from one end of the continent to the other;
and this was not all; but, to complete the horrid scene, an
infernal horde of savage murderers was prompted by our enemy to
butcher our helpless wives and children! Then did our fathers'
patriotic hearts swell in their bosoms, and they were ten-fold
more resolved to break the yoke of the tyrant.

I recite these things, my countrymen, that you may know how to
prize your liberty, that precious gem for which your fathers
fought, wading in rivers of blood, until it pleased the Almighty
to crown their arms with success; and, glorious to relate, America
was acknowledged free and independent, by all the powers of
Europe. Happy period! then did our warriors exult in what they had
so nobly achieved; then commerce revived, and the _thirteen
stripes_ were hoisted upon the tall masts of our ships, and
displayed from pole to pole; emigrants flocked from many parts to
taste our freedom, and other blessings heaven had bestowed upon
us; our population increased to an incredible degree; our commerce
flourished, and our country has been the seat of peace, plenty and
happiness, for many years. At length the fatal blast reached our
land! America was obliged to unsheath the sword in justification
of her violated rights. Our ships were captured and condemned upon
frivolous pretensions; our seamen were dragged from