Eloquence of the United States, Volume 5E. & H. Clark, 1827 - Speeches, addresses, etc., American |
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Adams Ameri American ancient arms authority behold blessings blood bosom BOSTON MASSACRE Britain British British parliament called cause character citizens civil colonies common Congress constitution Continental Congress crown death declaration Declaration of Independence duty earth effect eloquence empire ence England Europe event eyes fame fathers favor feelings fellow-citizens forever fortune freedom friends genius glory hand happiness heart heaven honor hope human illustrious important independence institutions interest Jefferson John Adams justice labors land learning legal fiction liberty literature live look mankind Massachusetts ment mind moral nation nature never object occasion opinion oppression parliament patriots peace political principles racter republic revolution Richard Henry Lee Samuel Adams sentiments sion slavery spirit stand talents thing Thomas Jefferson thought tion truth venerable virtue voice WASHINGTON whole wisdom writs of assistance
Popular passages
Page 61 - President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?
Page 2 - An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the authors and proprietors of rach copies, during the times therein mentioned." — And also to the Act, entitled, >' An Act supplementary to an Act, entitled • An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned,' and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving...
Page 63 - But there is no peace! The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me — give me liberty, or give me death!
Page 119 - The disorders and miseries which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual ; and sooner or later, the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.
Page 124 - ... of a virtuous sense of obligation, a commendable deference for public opinion, or a laudable zeal for public good, the base or foolish compliances of ambition, corruption, or infatuation. As avenues to foreign influence, in innumerable ways, such attachments are particularly alarming to the truly enlightened and independent patriot. How many opportunities do they afford to tamper with domestic factions, to practice the arts of seduction, to mislead public opinion, to influence or awe the public...
Page 118 - It is, indeed, little else than a name, where the government is too feeble to withstand the enterprises of faction, to confine each member of the society within the limits prescribed by the laws, and to maintain all in the secure and tranquil enjoyment of the rights of person and property.
Page 122 - ... revenue; that to have revenue there must be taxes; that no taxes can be devised which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant; that the intrinsic embarrassment inseparable from the selection of the proper objects (which is always a choice of difficulties) ought to be a decisive motive for a candid construction of the conduct of the government in making it, and for a spirit of acquiescence in the measures for obtaining revenue, which the public exigencies may at any time dictate. Observe...
Page 114 - Any other tenure by which the West can hold this essential advantage, whether derived from its own separate strength, or from an apostate and unnatural connexion with any foreign power, must be intrinsically precarious.
Page 117 - Constitution which at any time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish Government, presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established Government.
Page 451 - Chiefs, grac'd with scars, and prodigal of blood ; Stern patriots, who for sacred freedom stood ; Just men, by whom impartial laws were given ; And saints, who taught and led the way to heaven ; Ne'er to these chambers, where the mighty rest, Since their foundation came a nobler guest ; Nor e'er was to the bowers of bliss convey'd A fairer spirit or more welcome shade. In what new region, to the just assign'd, What new employments please th' unbody'd mind ? A winged virtue, through th' ethereal sky,...