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Is there a man among us, who, upon this occasion, consecrated to the indulgence of virtuous emotion, would consent to disturb the harmony that breathes in the common acknowledgment to the illustrious dead? To obscure the glorious light of the Revolution, by seeking to render permanent every cloud that is raised in the gusts of momentary excitement? Let the truth be told. It is replete with salutary counsel, and it exalts the character of the departed sages. Be it, that they appeared to be rivals. Be it, that they were, for a time, sepa rated and placed in opposition, the leaders of the two great parties in the nation. Did they, therefore, love their country less? Were they less influenced by the sacred ardor, that animated their hearts in the darkest hour of the revolutionary contest? Were they not patriots still, the same lofty and incorruptible patriots, who, on the 4th July, 1776, had pledged "their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor?" Did either of them admit a thought, or would either of them, for all the honors the world could bestow, have countenanced a design unfriendly to his country's interests? Let them answer for themselves, or rather let each answer for the other. The healing influence of time soon allayed the little irritation which conflict had produced. They looked upon their country, and they saw that she was prosperous and happy. They saw, perhaps, that even the contests of party, angry as they seemed at times to be, yet governed by the spirit of patriotism, were over-ruled for her permanent advantage; that eager discussion had elicited truth, and the solid good sense of a reflecting people had seized and secured whatever was valuable and worthy to be preserved. Both had triumphed in the triumph of their country's welfare. The aged patriots felt. that they still were brothers. Their ancient friendship revived. Nothing remained but the remembrance of the scenes in which they had acted so mighty a part. Nothing was heard from either but heartfelt acknowledgments of the other's worth and services. If it had been in the order of Providence to permit one of these illustrious citizens to witness the departure of his associate, the survivor would have been the first whose

honored voice would have been heard to pronounce the eulogy of the departed patriot.

To form an estimate of the merits and services of these distinguished men, far more would be necessary than has been now attempted, or the occasion will allow. I have only selected for reflection some of the principal incidents of their public lives. But let me remind you, that they are characteristic incidents. If you follow them into their respective states, if you follow them into their retirement, whatever may be their employments or pursuits, they are all stamped with the same ardent love of country, the same unaffected reverence for the rights of mankind, the same invincible attachment to the cause of civil and religious freedom.

Great are their names! Honored and revered be their memory! Associated with Washington and Franklin, their glory is a precious possession, enriching our annals, and exalting the character of our country.

Greater is the bright example they have left us! More precious the lesson furnished by their lives for our instruction! At this affecting moment, then, when we are assembled to pay the last tribute of respect, let us seriously meditate upon our duties let us consider, earnestly and anxiously consider, how we shall best preserve those signal blessings which have been transmitted to us-how we shall transmit them unimpaired to our posterity. This is the honor which would have been most acceptable to these illustrious men. This is an appro~

priate mode of commemorating the event we this day mourn. Let the truths of the Declaration of Independence, the principles of the revolution, the principles of free government, sink deep into our hearts, and govern all our conduct.

National independence has been achieved, once and forever. It can never be endangered. Time has accumulated strength with a rapidity unexampled. The thirteen colonies, almost without an union, few in numbers, feeble in means, are become in a lapse of fifty years, a nation of twenty-four states, bound together by a common government of their own choice, with a territory doubled by peaceful acquisition, with ten

millions of free inhabitants, with a commerce extending to

every quarter of the world, and resources equal to every emergency of war or peace. Institutions of humanity, of science, and of literature, have been established throughout the land. Temples have risen to Him who created all things, and by whom all things are sustained, not by the commands of princes or rulers, nor by legal coercion, but from the spontaneous offerings of the human heart. Conscience is absolutely free in the broadest and most unqualified sense. Industry is free; and human action knows no greater control, than is indispensable to the preservation of rational liberty. What is our duty? To understand, and to appreciate the value of these signal blessings, and with all our might and strength, to endeavor to perpetuate them. To take care that the great sources from which they flow, be not obstructed by selfish passion, nor polluted by lawless ambition, nor destroyed by intemperate violence. To rise to the full perception of the great truth: "that governments are instituted among men to secure human rights, deriving their authority from the consent of the governed," and that with a knowledge of our own rights, must be united the same just regard for the rights of others, and pure affection for our country, which dwelt in the hearts of the fathers of the revolution.

In conclusion, allow me to remind you, that with all their doings was mingled a spirit of unaffected piety. In adversity they humbled themselves before Him, whose power is almighty, and whose goodness is infinite. In prosperity they gave Him the thanks. In His aid, invoked upon their arms and counsels with sincerity of heart, was their reliance and their hope. Let us also be thankful for the mercies which as a nation, we have so largely experienced, and as often as we gratefully remember those illustrious men to whom we are indebted-let us not forget that their efforts must have been unavailing, and that our hopes are vain, unless approved by Him; and in humble reliance upon His favor, let us implore His continued blessing upon our beloved country.

EULOGY,

PRONOUNCED AT ALBANY, NEW-YORK,

July 31st, 1826.

BY WILLIAM ALEXANDER DUER.

NEVER, AMERICANS, since we became a people, has any portion of our countrymen convened on an occasion more impressive and interesting than the present. But a few weeks ago, we united with our Fellow Citizens from one end of this vast continent to the other, to celebrate in our respective spheres, the Jubilee of our Freedom; and whilst in the temple of the living God, we poured forth our thanks to him for the blessing; or at the festive board, recalled the names, and recounted the deeds, of the men most instrumental in producing it; the two veteran statesmen, the most eminent among the surviving patriarchs of the Revolution; who, next to Washington, had in succession held the highest station in the Government; each, in his turn, like him, receiving it, as the best reward the people could bestow; both these illustrious patriots on the same day, within a few hours of each other, and at the completion of the fiftieth year, since they had together signed that Declaration, from which their country dates its Independence; both in extreme old age, (as if their lives had been preserved to consecrate that day,) were, by the gentlest and most similar transitions, removed from this earthly scene, and with equal tranquillity, each yielded his immortal spirit to the HAND that gave it.

In this splendid coincidence of events, my countrymen ; in this unparalleled concurrence of stupendous circumstances; what candid and enlightened mind, what grateful and ingenuous heart, hesitates to acknowledge an omniscient and

benignant Providence? Or who fails to perceive, from the position or prospects of his own, or of some other country, a purpose worthy the interposition of a superintending Deity? Had either of these great and venerable men been summoned to the world of spirits, on the day that both departed; or had they, on any other day, expired together; it would, in either case, have seemed sufficient to excite our wonder. By some, it would have been hailed as an omen of good fortune; and received by others, as a demonstration of divine regard.But is there one among us, who, when he heard it rumoured, that the two most conspicuous of the three remaining signers of the Declaration of Independence, and the last survivors of those deputed to prepare it; that Adams and Jefferson had both died on the jubilee anniversary of the day that Declaration issued: Is there one, I ask, who did not distrust the rumour as too marvellous to be true? And when the report was in every minute particular confirmed, is there one here, who believed these combined occurrences to be the effect of chance? No! Fellow Citizens! There is not one; there are none such here, or elsewhere to be found. The coldest sceptic must have ceased to doubt, and the daring infidel must have begun to fear, that there is an eternal, self-existent God, who, with wisdom inscrutable, and immeasurable power, controuls the fate of individuals, and overrules the destiny of nations.

Under the influence of such feelings, friends and fellow countrymen, have we assembled in this sacred place; not to lament, but to commemorate our dead; to contemplate the example of their lives: and to expatiate on the sublime moral their lives and deaths have both afforded us.

No true American, capable of reflection, can meditate upon the events of the last half century, without feeling that his country has enjoyed the peculiar favor of the Supreme Governor of the world. At the commencement of that period, our immediate ancestors began to reap the fruits of that constancy and perseverance by which their fathers "in the

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