of
Heaven that the two countries should be sundered forever_.... The day is
past. The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in
the history of America. _I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated
by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival._ It ought
to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of
devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and
parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and
illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this
time forward, forevermore. You will think me transported with
enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and
treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration, and support
and defend these States. _Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the ray
of ravishing light and glory; and that posterity will triumph in that
day's transaction_, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God
we shall not."[25]

Here is a comprehensive prophecy, first, that the two countries would be
separated forever; secondly, that the anniversary of Independence would
be celebrated as a great annual festival; and, thirdly, that posterity
would triumph in this transaction, where, through all the gloom, shone
rays of ravishing light and glory; all of which has been fulfilled to
the letter. Recent events give to the Declaration additional importance.
For a long time its great promises that all men are equal, and that
rightful government stands only on the consent of the governed, were
disowned by our country. Now that at last they are beginning to prevail,
there is increased reason to celebrate the day on which the mighty
Declaration was made, and new occasion for triumph in the rays of
ravishing light and glory.

3. Here is another prophetic passage in a letter _dated at Paris, 13th
July, 1780_, and addressed to the Count de Vergennes of France, pleading
the cause of the colonists:--

"The United States of America are a great and powerful people, whatever
European statesmen may think of them. If we take into our estimate the
numbers and the character of her people, the extent, variety, and
fertility of her soil, her commerce, and her skill and materials for
ship-building, and her seamen, excepting France, Spain, England,
Germany, and Russia, there is not a state in Europe so powerful.
Breaking off such a nation as this from the English so suddenly, and
uniting it so