Daniel Webster on The Anniversary of American Independence

Countrymen, brethren and fathers, we are now assembled to celebrate an anniversary, ever to be held in dear remembrance by the sons of freedom. Nothing less than the birth of a nation, nothing less than the emancipation of three millions of people, from the degrading chains of foreign dominion, is the event we commemorate. 24 years have this day elapsed, since United Columbia first raised the standard of liberty and echoed the shouts of independence.

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Those of you, who were then reaping the iron harvest of the martial field, whose bosoms then palpitated for the honor of America, will, at this time experience, a renewal of all that fervent patriotism, of all those indescribable emotions, which then agitated your breasts. As for us, who were either then unborn or not far enough advanced beyond the threshold of existence, to engage in the grand conflict for liberty, we now must cordially unite with you, to greet the return of this joyous anniversary, to hail the day that gave us freedom and hail the rising glories of our country.

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On occasions like this, you have heretofore been addressed from this stage, on the nature, the origin, the expediency of civil government. The field of political speculation has here been explored by persons possessing talents to which the speaker of the day can have no pretensions. Declining therefore a dissertation on the principles of civil polity, you will indulge me in slightly sketching on those events, which have originated, nurtured and raised to its present grandeur the empire of Columbia.

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As no nation on the globe can rival us in the rapidity of our growth since the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, so none perhaps, ever endured greater hardships and distresses than the people of this country previous to that period. We behold a feeble band of colonists, engaged in the arduous undertaking of a new settlement in the wilds of North America. Their civil liberty being mutilated and the enjoyment of their religious sentiments denied them in the land that gave them birth.

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They fled their country, they braved the dangers of the then almost unnavigated ocean and sought on the other side of the globe an asylum from the iron grasp of tyranny and the more intolerable scourge of ecclesiastical persecution. But gloomy indeed was their prospect when arrived on this side of the Atlantic. Scattered, in detachments, along a coast immensely extensive at a remove of more than 3000 miles from their friends and the eastern continent, they were exposed to all those evils and endured all those difficulties to which human nature seems liable.

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Destitute of convenient habitations, the inclemencies of the seasons attacked them, the midnight beasts of prey prowled terribly around them and the more portentous yell of savage fury incessantly assailed them. But the same undiminished confidence in Almighty God, which prompted the first settlers of this country to forsake the unfriendly climes of Europe, still supported them under all their calamities and inspired them with fortitude almost divine.

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Having a glorious issue to their labors now in prospect, they cheerfully endured the rigors of the climate, pursued the savage beast to his remotest haunt and stood undismayed in the dismal hour of Indian battle. Scarcely were the infant settlements freed from those dangers which at first environed them, ere the clashing interests of France and Britain involved them anew in war. The colonists were now destined to combat with well-appointed, well-disciplined troops from Europe and the horrors of the tomahawk and the scalping knife were again renewed.

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But these frowns of torture, distressing as they were, had met without a sigh and endured without a groan had not imperious Britain presumptuously arrogated herself the glory of victories achieved by the bravery of American militia. Louishurgh must be taken, Canada attacked and a frontier of more than 1000 miles defended by untutored yeomanry; while the honor of every conquest must be ascribed to an English army.

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But while Great Britain was thus ignominiously stripping her colonies of all their well-earned laurel and triumphantly weaving it into the stupendous wreath of her own martial glories, she was unwittingly teaching them to value themselves and effectively to resist in a future day her unjust encroachments. The pitiful tale of taxation now commences the unhappy quarrel which issued in the disbarment of the British Empire has here its origin. England, now triumphant over the united powers of France and Spain, is determined to reduce to the condition of slaves, her American subjects.

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We might now display the legislatures of several states together with the general Congress, petitioning, praying, remonstrating and like dutiful subjects, humbly laying their grievances before the throne. On the other hand, we could exhibit a British Parliament assiduously devising means to subjugate America. Disdain our petitions, trampling on our rights and menacingly telling us in a language not to be misunderstood, “Ye shall be slaves.”

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We could mention the haughty, tyrannical, perfidious gage at the head of the standing army; we could show our brethren attacked and slaughtered at Lexington. Our property plundered and destroyed at Concord. Recollection can still pain us with the spiral flames of burning Charleston, the agonizing groans of aged parents, the shrieks of widows, orphans and infants. Indelibly impressed on our memories, still live the dismal scenes of Bunker’s awful mount, the grand theater of New England bravery; where slaughter stalked, grimly triumphant. Where relentless Britain saw her soldiers.

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Peace to the patriot shades, let no rude blast disturb the willow that nods o’er his tomb. Let orphan tears bedew his sacred urn, and fame’s loud trump proclaim the hero’s name, far as the circuit of the spear’s extend. But haughty Albion, thy reign shall soon be over, thou shalt triumph no longer. Thine empire already reels and totters. Thy laurels even now begin to wither and thy fame decays. Thou hast, at length, roused the indignation of an insulted people, thine oppressions they deem no longer tolerable.

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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 plaidits of a grateful people. That was the hour when heroism was proved, when the souls of men were tried.

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It was then, ye venerable patriots, it was then you stretched the indignant arm and untimely 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 that you had taken and 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 theaters of your victories and the utmost bounds of creation are the limits to your fame.

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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 this sanguinary conflict, to grant America the blessings of an honorable peace and clothe her heroes with laurels, Corn-Wallis, 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.

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Columbia is now seated in the forum of nations and the empires of the world are lost in the bright effulgence of her glory. Thus, friends and citizens, did the kind hand of overruling providence conduct us through toils, fatigues and dangers to independence and peace. If piety be the rational excuse of the human soul, if religion be not a chimera and if the vestiges of heavenly assistance are dearly 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 super intends the universe and holds aloft the scale that weighs the destinies of nations.

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The conclusion of the revolutionary war did not conclude the great achievements of our countrymen. Their military character was then indeed sufficiently established, but the time was coming which should prove their political sagacity. No sooner was peace restored with England, the first grand article of which was the acknowledgement of our independence than the old system of confederation, dictated at first by necessity and adopted for the purposes of the moment was found inadequate to the government of an extensive empire.

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Under a full conviction of this, we then saw the people of these states engaged in a transaction, which is undoubtedly the greatest approximation towards human perfection the political world ever get experienced; and which perhaps will forever stand on the history of mankind without parallel. A great republic, composed of different states, whose interest in all respects could not be perfectly compatible, then came deliberately forward, discarded one system of government and adopted another without the loss of one man’s blood.

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There is not a single government now existing in Europe, which is not based in usurpation and established, if established at all, by the sacrifice of thousands. But the adoption of our present system of jurisprudence, we see the powers necessary for government, voluntarily springing from the people, their only proper origin and directed to the public good, their only proper object. With peculiar propriety, we may now felicitate ourselves on that happy form of mixed government under which we live. The advantages resulting to the citizens of the union from the operation of the federal constitution are utterly incalculable.

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And the day when it was received by a majority of the states shall stand on the catalog of American anniversaries, second to none but the birthday of independence. In consequence of the adoption of our present system of government and virtuous manner in which it has been administered, by a Washington and an Adams, we are this day in the enjoyment of peace, while war devastates Europe. We can now sit down beneath the shadow of the olive while her city blaze, her streams run purple with blood and her fields glitter, a forest of bayonets.

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The citizens of America can this day throng the temples of freedom and renew their oaths of fealty to independence; while Holland, our once sister Republic is erased from the catalog of nations; while Venice is destroyed, Italy ravaged, and Switzerland, the once happy once united, the once flourishing Switzerland lies bleeding at every pore. No ambitious foe dares now invade our country. No standing army now endangers our liberty. Our commerce through subject in some degree to the depredations of the belligerent powers is extended from pole to pole.

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And our navy, though just emerging from non-existence, shall soon vouch for the safety of our merchant men and bear the thunder of freedom around the ball. Fair science too, holds her gentle empire among us and almost innumerable altars are raised to her divinity, from Brunswick to Florida. Yale, Providence and Harvard now grace our land; and Dartmouth, towering majestic above the groves which encircle her, now inscribes her glory on the registers of same.

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Oxford and Cambridge, those oriental stars of literature shall now be lost, while the bright son of American science displays his broad circumference in eclipsed radiance. Pleasing indeed, were it here to dilate on the future grandeur of America, but we for bear and pause for a moment, to drop the tear of affection over the graves of our departed warriors. Their names should be mentioned on every anniversary of independence, that the youth of each successive generation may learn not to value life when held in competition with their country’s safety.

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Wooster, Montgomery and Mercer fell bravely in battle, and their ashes are now entombed on the fields that witnessed their valor. Let their exertions in our country’s cause be remembered, while liberty has an advocate or gratitude has a place in the human heart. Green, the immortal hero of the Carolinas has since gone down to the grave, loaded with honors and high in the estimation of his countryman. The courageous Putnam has long slept with his fathers; and Sullivan and Cilley, New Hampshire’s veteran sons are no more numbered with the living.

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With hearts penetrated by unutterable grief, we are now at length constrained to ask, where is our Washington? Where is the hero who led us to victory? Where the man who gave us freedom? Where is he, who headed our feeble army, when destruction threatened us, who came upon our enemies like storms of winter; and scattered them like leaves before the Borean blast? Where, Oh my country, is thy political savior? Where, oh humanity, thy favorite son?

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The solemnly of this assembly, the lamentations of the American people will answer, “Alas, he is now no more, the mighty has fallen.” Yes Americans, your Washington is gone. He is now consigned to dust and sleeps in dull, cold marble. The man, who never felt a wound, but when it pierced his country, who never groan, but when the fair freedom bled, is now forever silent. Wrapped in the shroud of death, the dark dominions of the grave long since received him and he rests in undisturbed repose.

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Vain were the attempt to express our loss. Vain, the attempt to describe the feelings of our souls. Though months have rolled away since he left this terrestrial orb and sought the shining worlds on high, yet the sad event is still remembered with increased sorrow. The hoary headed patriot of ’76 still tells the mournful story to the listening infant, till the loss of this country touches his heart and patriotism fires his breast.

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The age matron still laments the loss of the man, beneath whose banners her husband has fought, or her son has fallen. At the name of Washington, the sympathetic tears still glistens in the eye of every youthful hero, nor does the tender sigh yet ceased to heave, in the the fair bosom of Columbia’s daughters. Farewell, oh Washington, along farewell. Thy country’s tears embalm thy memory; thy virtues challenge and mortality; impressed on grateful hearts, thy name shall live, till dissolution’s deludes drown the world.

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Although we must feel the keen sorrow, at the demise of our Washington, yet we console ourselves with the reflection that his virtuous compatriot, his worthy successor, the firm, the wise, the inflexible Adams still survives. Elevated by the voice of his country to supreme executive magistrate, he has constantly adhered to her essential interest; and with the steady hand, draws the disguising veil from the intrigues of foreign enemies and the plots of domestic foes.

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Having the honor of America always in, never fearing, when wisdom dictates to stem the impetuous torrent of popular resentment, he stands amidst the fluctuations of party and the explosions of faction, unmoved as Atlas. “While storms and tempests thunder on its brow and oceans break their billows at its feet.” Yet, all the vigilance of our executive and all the wisdom of our Congress have not been sufficient to prevent this country from being in some degree agitated by the convulsions of Europe. As Atlas. “While storms and tempests thunder on its brow and oceans break their billows at its feet.”

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Yet, all the vigilance of our executive and all the wisdom of our Congress have not been sufficient to prevent this country from being in some degree agitated by the convulsions of Europe. But why shall every quarrel on the other side of the Atlantic interest us in its issue? Why shall the rise or depression of every party there, produce here a corresponding vibration? Was this continent designed as a mere satellite to the other? Has not nature here wrought all her operations on her broadcast scale?

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Where are the Mississippi’s and the Amazons, the Alleghenies and the Andes of Europe, Asia or Africa? The natural superiority of America clearly indicates that it was designed to be inhabited by a nobler race of men, possessing a superior form of government, superior patriotism, superior talent, and superior virtues. Let then the nations of the east vainly waste their strength in destroying each other. Let them aspire at conquest and contend for dominion until their continent is deluged in blood.

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But let none, however elated by victory, however her proud of triumphs, ever presumed to intrude on the neutral station assumed by our country. Britain, twice humbled for her aggressions, has at length been taught to respect us. But France, once our ally, has dared insult us. She has violated her obligations; she has depredated our commerce. She has abused our government and riveted the chains of bondage on our unhappy fellow citizens.

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Not content with ravaging and depopulating, the fairest countries of Europe, not yet satiated with the contortions of expiring republics, the convulsive agonies of subjugated nations and the groans of her own slaughtered citizen, she has spouted her fury across the Atlantic; and the Stars and Stripes of independence have almost been attacked in our harbors. When we have demanded reparations, she has told us, “Give us your money and we’ll give you peace.”

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Mighty nation. Magnanimous republic. Let her fill her coffers from those towns and cities which she has plundered and grant peace if she can to the shades of those millions, whose deaths she has caused. But Columbia stoops not to tyrants; her sons will never cringe to France; neither a supercilious, five-headed directory, nor the gasconading pilgrim of Egypt will ever dictate terms to sovereign America.

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The thunder of our cannon shall ensure the performance of our treaties and fulminate destruction on Frenchmen, till old ocean is crimson with blood, and gorged with pirates. It becomes us, on whom the defense of this country will ere long devolve, this day most seriously to reflect on the duties incumbent upon us. Our ancestors bravely snatched expiring liberty from the grasp of Britain whose touches poison; shall we now consign it to France; whose embrace is death?

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We have seen our fathers in the days of Columbia’s trouble, assume the rough habiliments of war and seek the hostile field. Too full of sorrow to speak, we have seen them wave a last farewell to a disconsolate, a woe strung family. We have seen them return, worn down with fatigue and scarred with wounds; or we have seen them perhaps no more. For us they fought. For us they bled. For us they conquered.

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Shall we, their descendants, now basically disgrace our lineage and pusilanimously disclaim the legacy bequeathed us? Shall we pronounce the sad valediction to freedom and emulate liberty on the altars our fathers have to raise to her? No. The response of a nation is no. Let it be registered in the archives of heaven. Ere the religion we profess and the privileges we enjoy are sacrificed at the shrines of despots and demagogues.

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Let the pillars of creation tremble. Let the world be wrecked on world and systems rush to ruin. Let the sons of Europe be vassals; let her hosts of nations be a vast congregation of slaves. But let us, who are this day free, whose hearts are yet unappalled and whose right arms are yet nerve for war, assemble before the hallowed temple of Columbian freedom and swear, to the God of our fathers, to preserve it, secure or diet its portals.