has to us, that, when religion is best understood and
rendered most pure and reasonable, then should be the precise time
when many cease to believe and practise it, and all in general
become most indifferent to it.

"May they not possibly be more successful than their mother country
has been in preserving that reverence and authority which are due
to the laws? to those who make, and to those who execute them? _May
not a method be invented of procuring some tolerable share of the
comforts of life to those inferior useful ranks of men to whose
industry we are indebted for the whole? Time and discipline may
discover some means to correct the extreme inequalities of
condition between the rich and the poor, so dangerous to the
innocence and happiness of both._ They may fortunately be led by
habit and choice to despise that luxury which is considered with us
the true enjoyment of wealth. They may have little relish for that
ceaseless hurry of amusements which is pursued in this country
without pleasure, exercise, or employment. And perhaps, after
trying some of our follies and caprices, and rejecting the rest,
they may be led by reason and experiment to that old simplicity
which was first pointed out by nature, and has produced those
models which we still admire in arts, eloquence, and manners. _The
diversity of new scenes and situations, which so many growing
states must necessarily pass through, may introduce changes in the
fluctuating opinions and manners of men which we can form no
conception of_; and not only the gracious disposition of
Providence, but the visible preparation of causes, seems to
indicate strong tendencies towards a general improvement."

Fellow-citizens, this "gracious disposition of Providence," and this
"visible preparation of causes," at length brought on the hour for
decisive action. On the 4th of July, 1776, the Representatives of the
United States of America, in Congress assembled, declared that these
United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT
STATES.

This Declaration, made by most patriotic and resolute men, trusting in
the justice of their cause and the protection of Heaven, and yet made
not without deep solicitude and anxiety, has now stood for seventy-five
years, and still stands. It was sealed in blood. It has met dangers, and
overcome