ed the
indignation of an insulted people--thine oppressions they deem no longer
tolerable!

The 4th day of July, 1776, is now arrived; and America, manfully
springing from the torturing fangs of the British Lion, now rises
majestic in the pride of her sovereignty, and bids her Eagle elevate his
wings!--The solemn declaration of Independence is now pronounced, amidst
crowds of admiring citizens, by the supreme council of our nation; and
received with the unbounded plaudits of a grateful people!!

That was the hour, when heroism was proved, when the souls of men were
tried. It was then, ye venerable patriots, it was then you stretched the
indignant arm, and unitedly swore to be free! Despising such toys as
subjugated empires, you then knew no middle fortune between liberty and
death. Firmly relying on the patronage of heaven, unwarped in the
resolution you had taken, you, then undaunted, met, engaged, defeated
the gigantic power of Britain, and rose triumphant over the ruins of
your enemies!--Trenton, Princeton, Bennington and Saratoga were the
successive theatres of your victories, and the utmost bounds of creation
are the limits to your fame!--The sacred fire of freedom, then enkindled
in your breasts, shall be perpetuated through the long descent of future
ages, and burn, with undiminished fervor, in the bosoms of millions yet
unborn.

Finally, to close the sanguinary conflict, to grant America the
blessings of an honorable peace, and clothe her heroes with laurels,
CORNWALLIS, at whose feet the kings and princes of Asia have since
thrown their diadems, was compelled to submit to the sword of our father
WASHINGTON.--The great drama is now completed--our Independence is now
acknowledged; and the hopes of our enemies are blasted
forever!--Columbia is now seated in the forum of nations and the empires
of the world are loft in the bright effulgence of her glory!

Thus, friends and citizens, did the kind hand of over-ruling Providence
conduct us, through toils, fatigues and dangers, to Independence and
Peace. If piety be the rational exercise of the human soul, if religion
be not a chimera, and if the vestiges of heavenly assistance are clearly
traced in those events, which mark the annals of our nation, it becomes
us, on this day, in consideration of the great things, which the LORD
has done for us, to render the tribute of unfeigned thanks, to that GOD,
who superintends the Universe, and holds aloft the scale, that we