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parts of one consistent whole； founded upon one and the same
theory of government； then new in practice； though not as a
theory； for it had been working itself into the mind of man for
many ages； and had been especially expounded in the writings
of Locke； though it had never before been adopted by a great
nation in practice。
There are yet； even at this day； many speculative objections to
this theory。 Even in our own country there are still
philosophers who deny the principles asserted in the
Declaration； as self…evident truthswho deny the natural
equality and inalienable rights of manwho deny that the
people are the only legitimate source of powerwho deny that
all just powers of government are derived from the consent of
the governed。 Neither your time； nor perhaps the cheerful
nature of this occasion； permit me here to enter upon the
examination of this anti…revolutionary theory； which arrays
State sovereignty against the constituent sovereignty of the
people； and distorts the Constitution of the United States into a
league of friendship between confederate corporations。 I speak
to matters of fact。 There is the Declaration of Independence；
and there is the Constitution of the United Stateslet them
speak for themselves。 The grossly immoral and dishonest
doctrine of despotic State sovereignty； the exclusive judge of its
own obligations； and responsible to no power on earth or in
heaven； for the violation of them； is not there。 The Declaration
says； it is not in me。 The Constitution says； it is not in me。
〃Oration at Plymouth； December 22； 1802； in Commemoration
of the Landing of the Pilgrims。〃
Among the sentiments of most powerful operation upon the
human heart； and most highly honorable to the human
character； are those of veneration for our forefathers； and of
love for our posterity。 They form the connecting links between
the selfish and the social passions。 By the fundamental
principle of Christianity； the happiness of the individual is
interwoven； by innumerable and imperceptible ties； with that of
his contemporaries。 By the power of filial reverence and
parental affection； individual existence is extended beyond the
limits of individual life； and the happiness of every age is
chained in mutual dependence upon that of every other。
Respect for his ancestors excites； in the breast of man； interest
in their history； attachment to their characters； concern for
their errors； involuntary pride in their virtues。 Love for his
posterity spurs him to exertion for their support； stimulates him
to virtue for their example； and fills him with the tenderest
solicitude for their welfare。 Man； therefore； was not made for
himself alone。 No； he was made for his country； by the
obligations of the social compact； he was made for his species；
by the Christian duties of universal charity； he was made for all
ages past； by the sentiment of reverence for his forefathers； and
he was made for all future times； by the impulse of affection for
his progeny。 Under the influence of these principles；
〃Existence sees him spurn her bounded reign。〃
They redeem his nature from the subjection of time and
space； he is no longer a 〃puny insect shivering at a breeze〃； he
is the glory of creation； formed to occupy all time and all
extent； bounded； during his residence upon earth； only to the
boundaries of the world； and destined to life and immortality in
brighter regions； when the fabric of nature itself shall dissolve
and perish。
The voice of history has not； in all its compass； a note but
answers in unison with these sentiments。 The barbarian
chieftain； who defended his country against the Roman
invasion； driven to the remotest extremity of Britain； and
stimulating his followers to battle by all that has power of
persuasion upon the human heart； concluded his persuasion by
an appeal to these irresistible feelings： 〃Think of your
forefathers and of your posterity。〃 The Romans themselves； at
the pinnacle of civilization； were actuated by the same
impressions； and celebrated； in anniversary festivals； every
great event which had signalized the annals of their forefathers。
To multiply instances where it were impossible to adduce an
exception would be to waste your time and abuse your
patience； but in the sacred volume； which contains the
substances of our firmest faith and of our most precious hopes；
these passions not only maintain their highest efficacy； but are
sanctioned by the express injunctions of the Divine Legislator
to his chosen people。
The revolutions of time furnish no previous example of a
nation shooting up to maturity and expanding into greatness
with the rapidity which has characterized the growth of the
American people。 In the luxuriance of youth； and in the vigor
of manhood； it is pleasing and instructive to look backward
upon the helpless days of infancy； but in the continual and
essential changes of a growing subject； the transactions of that
early period would be soon obliterated from the memory but
for some periodical call of attention to aid the silent records of
the historian。 Such celebrations arouse and gratify the kindliest
emotions of the bosom。 They are faithful pledges of the
respect we bear to the memory of our ancestors and of the
tenderness with which we cherish the rising generation。 They
introduce the sages and heroes of ages past to the notice and
emulation of succeeding times； they are at once testimonials of
our gratitude； and schools of virtue to our children。
These sentiments are wise； they are honorable； they are
virtuous； their cultivation is not merely innocent pleasure； it is
incumbent duty。 Obedient to their dictates； you； my fellow…
citizens； have instituted and paid frequent observance to this
annual solemnity。 and what event of weightier intrinsic
importance； or of more extensive consequences； was ever
selected for this honorary distinction？
In reverting to the period of our origin； other nations have
generally been compelled to plunge into the chaos of
impenetrable antiquity； or to trace a lawless ancestry into the
caverns of ravishers and robbers。 It is your peculiar privilege
to commemorate； in this birthday of your nation； an event
ascertained in its minutest details； an event of which the
principal actors are known to you familiarly； as if belonging to
your own age； an event of a magnitude before which
imagination shrinks at the imperfection of her powers。 It is
your further happiness to behold； in those eminent characters；
who were most conspicuous in accomplishing the settlement of
your country； men upon whose virtue you can dwell with
honest exultation。 The founders of your race are not handed
down to you； like the fathers of the Roman people； as the
sucklings of a wolf。 You are not descended from a nauseous
compound of fanaticism and sensuality； whose only argument
was the sword； and whose only paradise was a brothel。 No
Gothic scourge of God； no Vandal pest of nations； no fabled
fugitive from the flames of Troy； no bastard Norman tyrant；
appears among the list of worthies who first landed on the
rock； which your veneration has preserved as a lasting
monument of their achievement。 The great actors of the day
we now solemnize were illustrious by their intrepid valor no
less than by their Christian graces； but the clarion of conquest
has not blazoned forth their names to all the winds of heaven。
Their glory has not been wafted over oceans of blood to the
remotest regions of the earth。 They have not erected to
themselves colossal statues upon pedestals of human bones； to
provoke and insult the tardy hand of heavenly retribution。 But
theirs was 〃the better fortitude of patience and heroic
martyrdom。〃 Theirs was the gentle temper of Christian
kindness； the rigorous observance of reciprocal justice； the
unconquerable soul of conscious integrity。 Worldly fame has
been parsimonious of her favor to the memory of those
generous companions。 Their numbers were small； their stations
in life obscure； the object of their enterprise unostentatious； the
theatre of their exploits remote； how could they possibly be
favorites of worldly Famethat common crier； whose existence
is only known by the assemblage of multitudes； that pander of
wealth and greatness； so eager to haunt the palaces of fortune；
and so fastidious to the houseless dignity of virtue； that
parasite of pride； ever scornful to meekness； and ever
obsequious to insolent power； that heedless trumpeter； whose
ears are deaf to modest merit； and whose eyes are blind to
bloodless； distant excellence？
When the persecuted companions of Robinson； exiles from
their native land； anxiously sued for the privilege of removing a
thousand leagues more distant to an untried soil； a rigorous
climate； and a savage wilderness； for the sake of reconciling
their sense o