receive, and then be sold into the service of lust, ambition and avarice, and become the tools of eter nal war against the lives, the properties, and free dom of the rest of mankind.

But, thanks to heaven! this black combination of passions, supported by the unmasked tyrant of Bri. tain, with all the mercenary forces of his powerful and extensive allies, have hitherto proved unsuccessful (and I trust in God they ever will) in every effort to contaminate the only column of free air in both hemispheres; however, one advantage we de rive from their open attempts, which is to expect Ao security for ourselves, but in their ruin; deliberate murders, indiscriminate plunder, and the most barbarous violence upon the delicacy and virtue of the fair, brave marked the few paces of imaginary conquest they have trod.

interest, domestic felicity, and all the consequent refined enjoyments of social life, to the exigencies of his country in the field of war:-the cheerful ness with which he has sustained all the hardships, anxieties, and disappointments of two important campaigns, against a formidable body of well disciplined veterans, with an army composed of men different in their manners, and unused to the dis

cipline of a camp, without exciting the smallest jealousies in the CIVIL POWER on the one hand, or giving occasion for the faintest murmurs among! his soldiers, on the other: and finally, when his enemies were at the zenith of their glory, and, in imagination, already in possession of a conquered world;-with the remnant of his expiring army, tó resume the field, and with this handful of his chosen followers, disperse, destroy, or captivate whole hosts of foes, must excite sentiments of affection, gratitude, and esteem, that border upon adoration. Did not a life of the most disinterested patriot

Methinks I see the tender parent, frantic with rage, defying hosts of ruffians armed, and courting death in every form, rather than live the witness of his daughter's shame;-ah! hear the shrieks of vir.ism and unremitted ardor in the cause of virtue gin innocence calling in vain for succour from that and of mankind, point hin. out as an exception to arm which oft defended her! but see the helpless the charge we have so fully supported against all victim of their British lust, in wild despair, wring who lived before him, I should dread more from the virtues of this great man, than from all the ing her guiltless hands, with looks to heaven, as if, without a crime, she had lost her only title to those standing armies in the world. pure abodes! where is the coward heart that does not beat to arms, and glow with unusual ardor for revenge?

Where are friends to reconciliation, with these foes to virtue? they will tell us their power is formi. dable, and it is wise to accommodate ourselves to the requisitions of superior force--as soon I'd tam. per with the power of hell! for

"Tis the worst of slavery "Tamely to bend our necks beneath the yoke "And suffer fraud to talk us out of freedom." They wish not to sooth but to destroy us; and if this stale artifice of tyrants should succeed, we well deserve the ruin it insures:--they never ask for what they can demand, and impotence alone prevents a general carnage.

Does courage want a stimulus in the defence of virtue? let us cast our eyes on the example of our illustrious general; equally beyond the reach of calumny and encomium, the tongue of slander has never dared to attack him, while the ablest panegy. rist must blush when he is attempting to give him half the eulogiums which are his due.

The generous sacrifice he has made of private

*See accounts of their proceedings in the Jersies, and general orders in the orderly bock taken at

Trenton.

But so full a confidence do I possess in his inviolable attachment to the rights of humanity and the cause of freedom, that in some future emergencias of the state (produced perhaps by the shifting for. tune of war) to his instinctive goodness and excentric operations, I would most cheerfully commit supreme command.

I will explain my sentiments upon this subject, by those of a friend, in his own words.

"Tis best that reason govern man,
'Tis calm, deliberate, wise,
Yet passions were not given in vain,
Here then the difference lies.

Reason, tho' sure, too slow is found
In great emergencies,
While passion instant feels the wound,
As quick the cure applies.

Yet that must not due bounds transgress,
But move at reason's nod,
Submit at last to her decrees
And own her for the Gov.

'Twas thus the synod of our land,
The reasoning power of state,
Gave WASHINGTON Supreme command
And made his orders fate.

Yet as necessity impelled

The step-when that is past
The senate shall resume the field
And reign supreme at last."

and mankind. The names of Lock, SYDNEY and HAMPDEN, have long been illustrious, and my country. men are too well acquainted with their writings, not to venerate their memories. Nor can I forget the same sentiments which have charmed you from

In support of such a cause, directed by such a tion. Such sentiments are founded in nature, and leader, who would think his life too dear a sacri[have, for ages, under different meridians, been fulce?—let the mean, base, groveling soul, that wishes ly displayed by men who knew the rights of nature for security on any terms, through fear forget he is a man, cringe to the creature he despises, smile on the man he hates, alternately shake hands with vice and virtue, and court protection from the power he wish. es to destroy!-let us, my friends, determine to maintain our sacred rights, or perish in the at-the lips of men, who have spoke before me, on the tempt,* with vigor urge the war, frown on our foes same occasion, whose characters will be ever dear, wherever we meet them, despise their mercy when and the exertions of whose patriotism and virtue, we feel power, and from this moment hold our exhibited, in the most critical situations, posterity selves beyond the reach of pardon. will ever wonder at and revere.

ORATION, DELIVERED AT BOSTON, MARCH 5, 1778,
BY JONATHAN W. AUSTIN, ESQ.
-Multaque rubentia Cade

Labrica Saxa madent, nulli sua profuit Ætas-Lucan, Lib. 2.
-Hic ubi barbarus hostis,

Ut fera plus valeant legibus arma facit.-Ovid de Ponto,
Quis cladem illius noctis, quis funera fando
Explicet? aut possit lachrymis æquare labores?
Plarima perque vias sternuntur inertia_passim
Corpora.-

Virgil 2d Eneid.

In short, to confirm this point by logical conclusions, must be an useless mispense of time. Even a crown lawyer, whose sentiments are not always friendly to the rights of mankind, will tell us, "in a land of liberty, it is extremely dangerous to make a distinct order of the profession of arms. In absolute monarchies this is indeed necessary for the My friends and fellow citizens.-To weep over safety of the prince, and arises from the main princithe tomb of the patriot-to drop a tear to the me-ple of their constitution, which is governing by fear: mory of those unfortunate citizens, who fell the but in free states, the profession of a soldier, taken first sacrifice to tyranny and usurpation, is noble,singly and merely as a profession, is justly an object generous and humane. Such are the sentiments of jealousy. The laws, therefore, and constitution that influence you, my countrymen, or why, through of these kingdoms, know no such thing as a perpe successive periods, with heart-felt sensations, bave tual standing soldier."* you attended this solemn anniversary, and paid this sad tribute to the memory of your slaughtered brethren. Nor is the circle contracted-the most amiable part of the creation share the grief, and, soft pity beaming in their countenances, like the daughters of Israel, annually lament the fate of others, and weep over the miseries of their coun try.t. Come then, my friends, let us enter the solitary courts of death, and, perhaps, an hour spent in such reflection, may afford as solid improvement as nature in her gayest scenes.

To commemorate the deaths of those men who fell unhappy victims to brutal violence-to show the dangerous tendency of standing armies in populous cities in time of peace, the origin of this fatal catastrophe to trace its connexion and effects, as they have been, and are now displayed, in different parts of America, I take to be the design of this day's solemnity.

It appears to me needless to enter into the nature and ends of civil government, and to evince that standing armies are a solecism in such a constitu

Justum et tenacem, propositi virum,
Non civium ardor, prava jubentium
Non vultus instantis tyranni

Mente quatit solida:

Judges, xi. 39, 40.

Arguments existing in theory, however the misd may be captivated, do not always convince; and consequences, traced from the same source, are sel dom interesting. But when we find the apprehensions of the greatest and best of mankind, who, actuated by a principle of benevolence, felt for the common interests, fully displayed in awful and tremendous effects, we then start from our lethargy, and like the sensitive plant, shrink from approaching danger! such is the case with respect to the subject before us. Philosophers and statesmen have shewn how dangerous standing armies must be in a free state, and every page in the volume of mankind confirms the melancholy account.

Speculative writers may indeed tell us, that the seeds of dissolution exist in every body politicthat like the body natural, it must decay and dieand that the same causes which brought the empires of Belus and Cyrus to destruction, will sap every other government on earth. For my own part, I am no fatalist, and nil desperandum pro republica, is to me a much preferable, and more generous motto. And instead of enumerating their many vices and corruptions, as the original cause, I

Blackstone's Commentaries, vol. I. page 407. †See Bellisarus by M. Marmontell.

think a little acquaintance with history will inform those vices which have been prevalent in powerful us, that they are not merely the original cause, but monarchies, and how carefully they watched the consequences resulting from the fatal measure we sacred altar of freedom, hat they themselves must are considering. In absolute monarchies, where remain a standing mosument of the consequences the military is the principal engine of government, of this fatal measure. Such is the case. Marius, we are not to look for a confirmation of this arguin new modelling the legions, and replacing the meat. But in republics, 'till the introduction of citizens who served in them with foreign mercenaa soldiery, distinct from the citizens, we find them fries, laid the horrid foundation. The door was now as remote from corruption, luxury, and the other open for one too powerful citizen after another, until black catalogue of vices, as any human system can Cesar, losing every check, and laughing at the imattain to: but when standing troops were intro potent anathemas of the senate, with the distant duced, they immediately followed. Depravity of legions marched to Rome, and formed a new era in manners—a dislike to virtue and manly sentiment their history. From this period we are charmed -effeminacy, and those grosser vices, too indelino more with illustrious actions, and the last recate to be mentioned in this place, stalked like mains of dignity sunk in the Roman world. So true dæmons through their cities. Witness, ye repub. is it, that when a people lose their liberty, they at lics, that were once great and illustrious, but are once become fit subjects of every thing base and now no more! witness, O Bɔston! for ye were too infamous. well acquainted with the melancholy truth! We have thus far produced instances of the fatal We will now confirm the sentiment by a brief effec s of armies thus kept up, which have ended inspection into some parts of history.

in the utter subversion of the laws and government story. We will now shift the scene, and while we of two of the most memorable republics in ancient show their dangerous tendency in states of a more modern date, we will exhibit an illustrious exam.

The Greeks were a republic, that, in a short flight of years, exhibited the most glorious spectacle that ever appeared to mankind; and, as one observes, the age they lived in, seemed to be the golden pe-ple through what scenes of danger, hardships and riod of human nature. In every branch of war or peace, in every species of science they excelled, and were at once feared, admired, and venerate! by the other nations of the world: yet this heroic confederacy was originally reduced from this glo.ed Provinces, I must remark how very similar their

rious superiority, by the arts of one mant under the 'idea of a guard, from an inconsiderable number of attendants, he increased to that stretch of power as proved the fatal stab to the vitals of his country. The bank thus broken down, the tide swelled too rapido be stemmed, and virtue, freedom and the laws, al

fell a sacrifice.

blood, the deterin ned spirits of honor, and attachment to freedom, will carry a people.

Previous to mentioning the situation of the Unit

circumstances were to our's. We shall ever find it an unalterable maxim of princes, who in time of peace kept up a standing force, however they may call them the protectors of law, the end is to subvert those laws and render the constitution useless. Such was the mode of conduct of Philip the second. of Spain, to the low countries, and such the procedure of a similar character, George the third, Similar was the situation of the Romans. Al of Britain, influenced by a despicable ministry. though not so universally distinguished as the The former, as sir William Temple observes, "thinkGreeks, yet from the expulsion of their kings, toing it not agreeing with his greatness,” (an army the time of Marius, they evinced to what a proui- being now in the bowels of their country) "to congious greatness mankind may arrive when actuated sider their discontents, or be limited by their an by the principles of liberty, virtue aud honor. Icient forms of government," proceeds to despise fluenced by such motives, no wonder their actions the one and overturn the other. New courts judiwere conformable: and while the most rigid inflexi-catory were appointed, new offices established, bility presided at home, the Roman eagle flew to depending absolutely on the king*

the remotest corner of the globe.

What was the consequence?-could it be sup.

Can we then suppose, when we view the charac-posed a generous people, would sit down tamely, ters which appeared on the stage at this period- and kiss the rod that lashed them? a different mode when we consider how remote they were from of conduct ensued. The duke of Alva was sent *Sir William Temple's observations on the United Provinces, Page 21, 23.

"Harris Hermes.

†Pisistratus.

a child, while, by order of the officer, his own sons have been his gaulers.*

with a powerful army, the very forcible plea of tyrants, and the most shocking cruelties were committed. Here let humanity spread her veil, nor let Perhaps there is no nation in any part of the the tender breast heave with anguish at such scenes. world, more happy than France, in every luxury of But shocking as they are, they flow as naturally life. But amid this profusion of plenty, the farmer from this cursed engine of oppression, as beams of exhibits the most wretched spectacle in nature. light from the sun. For as the same sensible wri-Supported by the gleanings of the field, the fruits ter observes, “so great antipathy ever appears be- of his labor go to the subsistence of the soldiery. tween citizens and soldiers; while one pretends to be anfe under law, which the other pretends shall be subject to his sword and his will.”

But terrible as the many executions of their most illustrious patriots appeared to them, while

'Thus dispirited and depressed, he contents himself with the refuge of his ground, while, after his greatest exertions, another will reap the fruits of his honest industry. The most obdurate breast must melt at such scenes, and execrate the effects of standing armies.

the land was drenched in its richest blood-how. ever affecting the sight of confiscations, imprison. Look into the situation of Poland. Under the ments, and the numberless cruelties that attended direction of that great man,† famous for his victothem, they were not daunted. That God who hat-ries against the Turks, they were brave and virtueth oppression, and delighteth in the happiness of ous, and proved the bulwark of Christendom.his creation, inspired them with sentiments that But, under the Saxon line, this spirit not suiting carried them through innumerable hardships, 'till after having expended immense treasures and blood for better than threescore years, they laid the foundation of a rich, free, and flourishing people: Providence hereby giving an instructive lesson to posterity in every age, who are contending for all that is dear and sacred, to pursue the glorious object It is needless to mention England, or the idle undaunted; knowing that, as liberty is a plant trans-farce of an annual act of parliament, for the support planted from the gardens of heaven, its divine pa- of standing troops, which is nothing but an insult rent will still cherish it, and, in spite of opposition, it will flourish, it will live forever.

Such, my friends, have been the methods used by enterprising men, in former ages, to carry into effect their ambitious designs, and found their greatness on the ruins of their country. But in our day, these measures have become systematical. They are in fact part of the constitution. To take a view of the different powers in Europe, and compare them with the state of ancient republics, un der great and wise legislators, who seemed to be raised up for the benefit of the age they lived in, and the admiration of posterity, we must drop the tear of sensibility at the contrast. Where is the kingdom that does not groan under the calamities of military tyranny? let us pause a while on the most eminent of them.

In the large empire of Russia, the effects are glaring. Even the shadow of liberty has vanished. Of so great importance is the military, that a recruiting officer can go through their villages, and pitch upon the ablest of the inhabitants, as he would choose his cattle. And even a father has been imprisoned in his own house, for the escape of

their plan of government, was awed by electoral troops, and totally decayed, The consequences are now severely experienced by them; and while in this depressed state, they are an object of desire to Turks and Russians, their country is a scene of bloodshed and misery.

on the sense of that nation. The more virtuous among them, if the flame of liberty has not entirely expired, easily see through the guise, and in the death of Allen and others, wantonly butchered by mercenary soldiery, can too clearly read the fate of themselves and posterity.

The melancholy part of this subject must give pain to every humane breast. This is natural. But these scenes more directly affect other nations; and however we may pity the unhappy sufferer, there is a kind of pleasure we feel that we ourselves are not immediately interested. And would to Gon, it had ever remained so O my country! with what heart-felt satisfaction should I rejoice, if oppression had never stretched her baleful wings to this once happy clime! that that liberty which an illus. trious set of men, of whom the world was not wor. thy, purchased at so dear a rate, might have descended unimpaired to latest posterity. But is this the case? has this scourge of mankind, standing armies, never interrupted our prosperity? if so, why is this desk hung with the sable covering of death! why am I surrounded by so many of my fel

"Vid. Guthrie's Grammar.
John Sobieski.

low-citizens, who listen to the tale of woe! yes, my the relics of slaughtered citizens are objects of countrymen, we ourselves are deeply interested; pity, and the sympathizing spectator will ever drop and this same engine of oppression, which has a tear over them. But there may be instances, thrown mighty republics from their foundations, when the lesser streams of affection are absorbed has attempted and still continues to spread the in a still greater sea of woe. Such are the senti same horrid consequences in America: and in its ments that must strike every breast, when we re usual mode of conduct, has been attended with eveflect, illustrious WARREN! on thy death--a death, species of cruelty, some of them unheard of before; which whole hecatombs of slaughtered enemies, but which your firmness, under GOD, has hitherto, and I pray ever may, surmount.

strowed around thy corpse, can never repay.— Here, ye minions of power! ye who are dead to the The shocking scene of that dreadful night, the calls of honor and public virtue, are willing to wade fatal effects of which we are now still weeping to station through the blood of your brethren, here over, is beyond description. No one, perhaps, if it behold a spectacle that must harrow your inmost is taken in every view, that was not a spectator, can soul. You, my countrymen, with the most pleasing conceive it. When I consider the many insults, sensations, haye attentively listened, while, like abuses and violences, this unhappy town was ex-us, he was weeping over the unhappy fate of others. posed to for months previous to this melancholy You have kindled into rage, while he has set before tragedy, and when the tumult of contrary passions you the dangerous nature and consequences of was thus naturally excited, to see a brutal soldiery, standing armies, and prophetically pointed out to scattering promiscuous death through a defence-you still greater events. How affecting! that he, less, unarmed multitude, till yonder street was who could lament the fate of others, must be himcrimsoned with the blood of its citizens, while a self deplored; and that he who could so feelingly tender mother, frantic with grief, pours forth the paint the effects of this horrid measure, must himanguish of her heart over a beloved son, now inca-self fall one of the first sacrifices to it. pable of any returns of gratitude; all this exhibits But it is not sufficient to drop a transient tear a scene which the distressed heart may painfully to the memory of departed heroes, or to pay an eufeel, but which the tongue cannot express. Let logy to their characters. The happiness of such the breast, then, still continue to beat. These, men who, after having expired in the arms of liberty my friends, are virtuous, generous feelings, and and virtue, are now sharing the highest degree of do honor to humanity. May we ever retain them. felicity, cannot be increased by our praises: no, my -May this institution, sacred to the memory of friends, the best way to express our affections for our murdered brethren, be ever carefully pre-such great and good men, is to rouse and revenge served. Yes, ye injured shades! we will still weep them. To hurl still fiercer bolts of vengeance on over you, and if any thing can be more soothing, an inhuman soldiery, who, instead of affording the last honors sacred to the dead, and which a gene.

WE WILL REVENGE YOU.

alive could strike terror into their boldest heart, lodged it in a promiscuous grave; that since they could not prevent his name and reputation being immortal, his remains might be hid forever. O Britain! thou hast, and shall still weep tears of blood for this!

This glaring specimen of cruelty roused the citi-rous enemy will ever regard, after grinning zens, and in convincing colors displayed the effects with hellish pleasure on the mangled corpse, which of standing armies in time of peace. But however our exertions were then successful, however the storm subsided, it was but temporary. While the scales of justice were held in palsied hands, and the most shocking barbarities were the highest me. rit, an additional force only was necessary. That arriving, the mask was thrown off, and a still greater scene of carnage and destruction opened in our adjacent villages.

But such proceedings, however alarming at that period, were soon lost in more dreadful and dis. tressing operations. The heights of Charlestown too awfully convinced us of the melancholy truth, and posterity, while with tears of compassion they ponder the transactions of that day, must execrate the causes which produced them. In any situation,

Are not such instances, my countrymen, very convincing proofs of the fatal effects of standing armies in time of peace. In such a period they originated, and from the fifth of March, 1770, through every degree of violence and barbarity, to the present day, it is but one connected scene.

After such exhibitions of cruelty and carnage, what can we suppose too brutal, too infamous for such an army? can we wonder to see our houses in flames, our altars rased to the ground, or convert