pendence,
delivered at Philadelphia in August 1776, and published here, is the
only complete address of his which has come down to us. It was
translated into French and published in Paris, and it is believed
that Napoleon borrowed from it the phrase, "A Nation of
Shopkeepers," to characterize the English.

AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE

Countrymen and Brethren:--

I would gladly have declined an honor to which I find myself
unequal. I have not the calmness and impartiality which the
infinite importance of this occasion demands. I will not deny the
charge of my enemies, that resentment for the accumulated injuries
of our country, and an ardor for her glory, rising to enthusiasm,
may deprive me of that accuracy of judgment and expression which men
of cooler passions may possess. Let me beseech you, then, to hear
me with caution, to examine your prejudice, and to correct the
mistakes into which I may be hurried by my zeal.

Truth loves an appeal to the common sense of mankind. Your
unperverted understandings can best determine on subjects of a
practical nature. The positions and plans which are said to be above
the comprehension of the multitude may be always suspected to be
visionary and fruitless. He who made all men hath made the truths
necessary to human happiness obvious to all.

Our forefathers threw off the yoke of Popery in religion; for you is
reserved the honor of leveling the popery of politics. They opened
the Bible to all, and maintained the capacity of every man to judge
for himself in religion. Are we sufficient for the comprehension of
the sublimest spiritual truths, and unequal to material and temporal
ones?

Heaven hath trusted us with the management of things for eternity,
and man denies us ability to judge of the present, or to know from
our feelings the experience that will make us happy. "You can
discern," they say, "objects distant and remote, but cannot perceive
those within your grasp. Let us have the distribution of present
goods, and cut out and manage as you please the interests of
futurity." This day, I trust, the reign of political protestantism
will commence. We have explored the temple of royalty, and found
that the idol we have bowed down to has eyes which see not, ears
that hear not our prayers, and a heart like the nether millstone. We
have this day restored the Sovereign to whom alone men ought to be
obedient. He reigns in Heaven, and with a propitious eye beholds his