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Mr. STORY'S Discourse before the Phi Beta Kappa
Society, at Cambridge, August 31, 1826,

Mr. WIRT'S Eulogy on Jefferson and Adams, at
Washington, October 19, 1826,"

Mr. CLINTON'S Oration before the New York Alpha of

the Phi Beta Kappa Society, at Schenectady,

July 22, 1823,

ORATION OF JOSEPH WARREN,

DELIVERED

AT BOSTON, MARCH 5, 1772, THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE "BOSTON MASSACRE."*

WHEN we turn over the historic page, and trace the rise and fall of states and empires, the mighty revolutions which have so often varied the face of the world strike our minds with solemn surprise, and we are naturally led to endeavor to search out the causes of such astonishing changes.

That man is formed for social life, is an observation, which, upon our first inquiry, presents itself immediately to our view, and our reason approves that wise and generous principle which actuated the first

*The "Boston massacre," as it is generally called, took place March 5, 1770. Previous to this time, considerable animosity had existed between the citizens of Boston and the British soldiers stationed there, which had occasionally shown itself in quarrels and mutual abuse.

On the evening of the 5th of March, an extensive disturbance occurred, in which a number of the citizens lost their lives. This event was productive of the most important consequences. It was every where represented as a cruel and barbarous outrage of an armed soldiery, upon unoffending and unarmed citizens.

It wrought up to the highest pitch the spirit of opposition to the British government, and increased the activity and energy of those who were determined on resistance.

It afforded also, an opportunity for an exhibition of traits of character in the " rebellious colonists," which plainly proved that, with them, the dictates of justice predominated over every other consideration for the jury who tried the offenders, although burning with resentment for the recent outrage, and incensed at the numer. ous injuries of the British government, still acquitted all the offenders of the charge of murder. The anniversary of this day was celebrated for a number of years, but at length the practice was discontinued.-COMPILER.

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founders of civil government-an institution, which hath its origin in the weakness of individuals, and hath for its end, the strength and security of all: and so long as the means of effecting this important end are thoroughly known, and religiously attended to, government is one of the richest blessings to mankind, and ought to be held in the highest veneration.

In young and new formed communities, the grand design of this institution, is most generally understood, and most strictly regarded. The motives which urged to the social compact, cannot be at once forgotten, and that equality which is remembered to have subsisted so lately among them, prevents those who are clothed with authority, from attempting to invade the freedom of their brethren; or if such an attempt is made, it prevents the community from suffering the offender to go unpunished. Every member feels it to be his interest and knows it to be his duty, to preserve inviolate the constitution on which the public safety depends, and he is equally ready to assist the magistrate in the execution of the laws, and the subject in defence of his right; and so long as this noble attachment to a constitution, founded on free and benevolent principles, exists in full vigor, in any state, that state must be flourishing and happy.

It was this noble attachment to a free constitution, which raised ancient Rome, from the smallest beginnings, to that bright summit of happiness and glory, to which she arrived; and it was the loss of this which plunged her from that summit into the black gulf of infamy and slavery. It was this attachment which inspired her senators with wisdom; it was this which glowed in the breasts of her heroes; it was this which guarded her liberties and extended her dominions, gave peace at home, and commanded respect abroad. And when this decayed, her magistrates lost their reve

* Omnes ordines ad conservandam rempublicam, mente, voluntate, studio, virtute, voce, consentiunt.-CICERO.

ORATION OF JOSEPH WARREN,

DELIVERED

AT BOSTON, MARCH 5, 1772, THE ANNIVERSARY OF
THE "BOSTON MASSACRE."

ེ་་་

WHEN we turn over the historic page, and trace the rise and fall of states and empires, the mighty revolutions which have so often varied the face of the world strike our minds with solemn surprise, and we are naturally led to endeavor to search out the causes of such astonishing changes.

That man is formed for social life, is an observation, which, upon our first inquiry, presents itself immediately to our view, and our reason approves that wise and generous principle which actuated the first

*The "Boston massacre," as it is generally called, took place March 5, 1770. Previous to this time, considerable animosity had existed between the citizens of Boston and the British soldiers stationed there, which had occasionally shown itself in quarrels and mutual abuse.

This

It was

On the evening of the 5th of March, an extensive disturbance occurred, in which a number of the citizens lost their lives. event was productive of the most important consequences. every where represented as a cruel and barbarous outrage of an armed soldiery, upon unoffending and unarmed citizens.

It wrought up to the highest pitch the spirit of opposition to the British government, and increased the activity and energy of those who were determined on resistance.

It afforded also, an opportunity for an exhibition of traits of character in the "rebellious colonists," which plainly proved that, with them, the dictates of justice predominated over every other consideration for the jury who tried the offenders, although burning with resentment for the recent outrage, and incensed at the numer. ous injuries of the British government, still acquitted all the offenders of the charge of murder. The anniversary of this day was celebrated for a number of years, but at length the practice was discontinued.-COMPILER.

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founders of civil government-an institution, which hath its origin in the weakness of individuals, and hath for its end, the strength and security of all: and so long as the means of effecting this important end are thoroughly known, and religiously attended to, government is one of the richest blessings to mankind, and ought to be held in the highest veneration.

In young and new formed communities, the grand design of this institution, is most generally understood, and most strictly regarded. The motives which urged to the social compact, cannot be at once forgotten, and that equality which is remembered to have subsisted so lately among them, prevents those who are clothed with authority, from attempting to invade the freedom of their brethren; or if such an attempt is made, it prevents the community from suffering the offender to go unpunished. Every member feels it to be his interest and knows it to be his duty, to preserve inviolate the constitution on which the public safety depends, and he is equally ready to assist the magistrate in the execution of the laws, and the subject in defence of his right; and so long as this noble attachment to a constitution, founded on free and benevolent principles, exists in full vigor, in any state, that state must be flourishing and happy.

It was this noble attachment to a free constitution, which raised ancient Rome, from the smallest beginnings, to that bright summit of happiness and glory, to which she arrived; and it was the loss of this which plunged her from that summit into the black gulf of infamy and slavery. It was this attachment which inspired her senators with wisdom; it was this which glowed in the breasts of her heroes; it was this which guarded her liberties and extended her dominions, gave peace at home, and commanded respect abroad. And when this decayed, her magistrates lost their reve

Omnes ordines ad conservandam rempublicam, mente, voluntate, studio, virtute, voce, consentiunt.-CICERO.

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