Rhode Island Republican

AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE

Yesterday (the 4th of July) being the 28th anniversary of our national Freedom, was celebrated in this town in a manner becoming an event illustrious and interesting to mankind. The day was suitably honored by discharges of cannon, the display of colours in various parts of the town, and the general attendance of the citizens. A procession was formed as mentioned in our last, which was numerous and respectable, and which marched through the principal streets of the town, preceded by a Band of Music, who did honor to themselves and the occasion. When arrived at the Second Baptist Meeting-House,—after having entered; the Declaration of Independence was read by P. M. Munford, Esq. a well adapted prayer was made by the Rev. Mr. Eddy, and a pertinent, candid, and very appropriate Oration was delivered by the Rev. Joshua Bradley. Excellent vocal music, of which Mr. Samuel Howland took the lead, graced the celebration, and afforded much pleasure to the audience. After the Oration, a salute was given from Fort Wolcott of 17 guns. This procession then returned to the State-House, where a large company of citizens sat down to a sumptuous entertainment, prepared by Capt. R. Barker. Esq. Constant Taber, Esq. officiated as President, and Gen. Simeon Martin, as Vice-President.—After Dinner, the following toasts were given:

1. The People—May all national rulers remember these truths, that government was established for man, not man created or governed for government—that the public will is its only legitimate origin, and the public good its only permanent object. —[9 cheers.]—Tune, Hail Columbia.

2. The day we celebrate—Sacred to liberty, dear to Americans, terrible to tyrants.—[6 cheers.] Jefferson and Liberty.

3. The unconquerable spirit of our fathers—which encountered an ocean, which cultivated a wilderness, which resisted a tyrant, and established a world: —3 cheers.—God Save the King.

The little mountain of St. Marino—When liberty was persecuted by kings, the generosity offered her an abode, and erected to her an altar.—The Graceful Mow.

5. The deceased Heroes of the Revolution—no pitiful mausoleums are necessary, to perpetuate their names; they will live, in the imperishable grandeur of their actions, and in the heart of their countrymen.—Washington's March.

6. The old Jersey—May She remain an eternal monument of the cruelty of despots, and of the constancy of freemen—of that infernal malice, which could sport with the rights of the captive, and of that glorious determination, which could prefer death to Slavery.—Reflections at Castle.

7. The Battle of Lexington—The infant prattle of our Country, foretold the energy of its manhood—young and undisciplined, we tore our laurel from the brow of the veteran,—[6 cheers.]—Bunker Hill.

8. THOMAS JEFFERSON—To assertions, he opposes fact—to detraction he opposes virtue—raised to power by a nation's will, he has outstripped a nation's expectations.—[9 cheers.]—Jefferson's March.

9. Agriculture—in the stormy moments of our Revolution, liberty hovered under the protecting arm of the bold, and hardy, and unconscious ploughman. Commerce May wealth be the reward of our enterprise, not the consequence of our craft—may it be obtained honorably, from other nations, not purchased with their blood—may we consider the world as a great family, not make it a great slaughter-house.—[3 cheers.]—America. Commerce and Freedom.

11. Unbiased Elections—The man who purchases your vote, purchases your freedom—bribery plunges a dagger in the heart of liberty, and destroys whom it corrupts. [6 cheers.]—Burr's March.

12. The present administration of the general government—diminution of debt, and a diminution of taxes—respectability abroad, and prosperity at home—advantageous treaties, and splendid acquisitions, are irresistible arguments. —(6 cheers.)—None so poor

13. The Constitution of the United States of America—While trying the soundness of a principle, whoever is strengthened by years, and supported by experience, will shake all the thrones of the earth, [6 cheers.]—The Conqueror.

14. Union.—That powerful principle, which binds the North to the South—the Mississippi to the Atlantic—by it we established our independence, and by it only, can we maintain it. [6 cheers.] Friendship.

15. The Militia—where the people have no rights, there must be standing armies—where they have rights, they alone are able, and ought to defend them.—3 cheers.—Yankee Doodle.

16. The State of Newhampshire—She has honorably recognized those principles, for which the gloriously tortured the spirit of '76 may sleep but it is indestructible. —[6 cheers.]—On the Road to Boston.

17. The virtues, and the sufferings; the victories and the wounds of our Fathers—in holy gratitude, an enlightened posterity will annually gather around their tombs.—Dead March.

VOLUNTEERS.

By the President—The Orator of the Day.

After the Hon. Constant Taber retired,

By the Vice-President—The President of the Day—The steady Republican.

After General Martin retired,

By Mr. Hazard—The Vice-President of the Day—The man who disregards the little faction.

The minority—Equal power in Elections, and equal rights under the Laws.

By Mr. Ellery—The Union—'Tis not the 'Dominion of Virginia,' nor the Dominion of Massachusetts, but the Dominion of The Constitution— it secures to the small State of Rhode-Island equal rights.

By Mr. Burr—The late Dr. PRIESTLEY—The profound Philosopher, the Universal Scholar, and the warm and inflexible Friend of the whole human race. May the Americans be as just to his memory, as the French nation have been to that of our immortal Franklin.

During the whole celebration, the greatest harmony and good order was observed, and the day was closed by a discharge of 17 cannon in front of the State House.