368 WASHINGTON. — ADAMS.-DICKINSON. GEORGE WASHINGTON. 1732-1799. To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.1 Speech to both Houses of Congress, January 8, 1790. JOHN ADAMS. 1735-1826. The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward for evermore. Letter to Mrs. Adams, July 3, 1776. JOHN DICKINSON. 1732-1808. Then join in hand, brave Americans all; The Liberty Song (1768). 1 Qui desiderat pacem præparet bellum. In pace, ut sapiens, aptarit idonea bello. Vegetius, Rei Mil. 3. Prolog. THOMAS JEFFERSON. 1743-1826. The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time. Summary View of the Rights of British America. When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. Declaration of Independence. We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.1 Ibid. We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honour. Ibid. Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. Inaugural Address. Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political; peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none; the support of the State govern ments in all their rights, as the most competent administrations for our domestic concerns, and the surest 1 All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential, and unalienable rights. Constitution of Massachusetts. bulwarks against anti-republican tendencies; the preservation of the general government in its whole constitutional vigour, as the sheet anchor of our peace at home and safety abroad; . . . . freedom of religion; freedom of the press; freedom of person under the protection of habeas corpus; and trial by juries impartially selected, these principles form the bright constellation which has gone before us, and guided our steps through an age of revolution and reformation. Inaugural Address. If a due participation of office is a matter of right, how are vacancies to be obtained? Those by death are few; by resignation, none.1 Letter to a Committee of the Merchants of New Haven, 1801. THOMAS PAINE. 1737-1809. And the final event to himself (Mr. Burke) has been, that, as he rose like a rocket, he fell like the stick. Letter to the Addressers. These are the times that try men's souls. The American Crisis. No. 1. The sublime and the ridiculous are often so nearly related, that it is difficult to class them separately. One step above the sublime makes the ridiculous, and one step above the ridiculous makes the sublime again.2 Age of Reason. Part ii. ad fin. note. 1 Usually quoted, "Few die, and none resign." 2 Probably the original of Napoleon's celebrated mot, "Du sublime au ridicule il n'y a qu'un pas." HENRY.-TOPLADY.—THRALE. 371 PATRICK HENRY. 1736-1799. Cæsar had his Brutus, Charles the First, his Cromwell, and George the Third- ("Treason!" cried the Speaker)-may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it. Speech, 1765. 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! Speech, March, 1775. The tree of deepest root is found Three Warnings. JOHN LANGHORNE. 1735-1779. Cold on Canadian hills or Minden's plain, The Country Justice. Part i. ERASMUS DARWIN. 1731-1802. Soon shall thy arm, unconquered steam! afar The Botanic Garden. Part i. Canto i. Line 289. No radiant pearl, which crested Fortune wears, Down Virtue's manly cheek for other's woes. Part ii. Canto iii. Line 459. 1 This allusion to the dead soldier and his widow, on the field of battle, was made the subject of a print by Bunbury, under which were engraved the pathetic lines of Langhorne. Sir Walter Scott has mentioned that the only time he saw Burns this picture was in the room. Burns shed tears over it; and Scott, then a lad of fifteen, was the only person present who could tell him where the lines were to be found. Lockhart's Life of Scott, Vol. i. Ch. iv. |