at I earnestly urge this
consideration of our position and our character among the nations of the
earth. It cannot be denied, but by those who would dispute against the
sun, that with America, and in America, a new era commences in human
affairs. This era is distinguished by free representative governments,
by entire religious liberty, by improved systems of national
intercourse, by a newly awakened and unconquerable spirit of free
inquiry and by a diffusion of knowledge through the community, such as
has been before altogether unknown and unheard of. America, America, our
country, fellow-citizens, our own dear and native land, is inseparably
connected, fast bound up, in fortune and by fate, with these great
interests. If they fall, we fall with them; if they stand, it will
be because we have upholden them. Let us contemplate, then, this
connection, which binds the prosperity of others to our own; and let us
manfully discharge all the duties which it imposes. If we cherish the
virtues and principles of our fathers, Heaven will assist us to carry
on the work of human liberty and human happiness. Auspicious omens cheer
us. Great examples are before us. Our own firmament now shines brightly
upon our path. WASHINGTON is in the clear, upper sky. These other stars
have now joined the American constellation; they circle round their
center, and the heavens beam with new light. Beneath this illumination
let us walk the course of life, and at its close devoutly commend our
beloved country, the common parent of us all, to the Divine Benignity.

[Footnote 1: Extract of a letter written by John Adams, dated at Worcester,
Massachusetts, October 12, 1755.

"Soon after the Reformation, a few people came over into this New World,
for conscience' sake. Perhaps this apparently trivial incident may
transfer the great seat of empire into America. It looks likely to me;
for, if we can remove the turbulent Gallios, our people, according to
the exactest computations, will, in another century, become more
numerous than England itself. Should this be the case, since we have, I
may say, all the naval stores of the nation in our hands, it will be
easy to obtain a mastery of the seas; and then the united forces of all
Europe will not be able to subdue us. The only way to keep us from
setting up for ourselves is to disunite us.

"Be not surprised that I am turned polititian. The whole town is
immersed in politics. The interests of nations, a