In support of such a cause, directed by such a ption. 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 and mankind. The names of Lock, SYDNEY and HAMPman, cringe to the creature he despises, smile on the DEN, have long been illustrious, and my country

man he hates, alternately shake hands with vice and
virtue, and court protection from thepower he wish-
es to destroy!-let us, my friends, determine to
maintain our sacred rights, or perish in the at
tempt, with vigor urge the war, frown on our foes
wherever we meet them, despise their mercy when
we feel poroer, and from this moment hold our
selves beyond the reach of pardon.

ORATION, DELIVERED AT BOSTON, MARCH 5, 1778,
BY JONATHAN W. AUSTIN, ESQ.
-Multaque rubentia Cæde
Lubrica Saxa madent, nulli sua profuit Etas-Lucan, Lib. 2.
-Hie ubi barbarus hostis,

Ut fera plus valeant legibus arma facit.-Ovid de Ponto.
Quis cladem illius noctis, quis funera fando
Explicet? aut possit lachryinis æquare labores?
Plurima perque vias sternunturinertia passim
Corpora.-

•Virgil 2d Eneid.

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 the lips of men, who have spoke before me, on the same occasion, whose characters will be ever dear, and the exertions of whose patriotism and virtue, exhibited, in the most critical situations, posterity will ever wonder at and revere.

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 fears 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 perpesuccessive periods, with heart-felt sensations, have 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 country. 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.

Arguments existing in theory, however the mind may be captivated, do not always convince; and consequences, traced from thesame source, are seldom 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 staading armies muss of mankind confirms the melancholy account.

To commemorate the deaths of those men who fell unhappy victims to brutal violence-to show be in a free state, and every page in the volume

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.

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.f For my own part, I am no fatalist, and nil desperandum pro теpublica, 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, that they themselves must are considering. In absolute monarchies, where remain a standing monument 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 argu-in new modelling the legions, and replacing the ment. But in republics, 'till the introduction of citizens who served in them with foreign mercenaa soldiery, distinct from the citizens, we find them ries, 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 Casar, 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 ara in manners-a dislike to virtue and manly sentiment their history. From this period we are charmed -etfeminacy, and those grosser vices, too indeli no 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 Boston! 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 effects of armies thus kept up, which have ended inspection into some parts of history.

The Greeks were arepublic, 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

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 venerated by the other nations of the world: yet this heroic confederacy was originally reduced from this glorious 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 rapidto be stemmed, and virtue, freedom and the laws, ali fell a sacrifice.

in the utter subversion of the laws and government of two of the most memorablerepublics in ancient story. We will now shift the scene, and while we show their dangerous tendency in states of a more modern date, we will exhibit an illustrious example through what scenes of danger, hardships and

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

Previous to mentioning the situation of the United Provinces, I must remark how very similar their 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, to ing it not agreeing with his greatness," (an army the time of Marius, they evinced to what a prodi- being now in the bowels of their country) "to congious greatness mankind may arrive when actuated sider their discontents, or be limited by their anby the principles of liberty, virtue aud honor. In cient forms of government," proceeds to despise fluenced by such motives, no wonder their actions the one and overturn the other. New courts judi. were 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.

Can we then suppose, when we view the characters which appeared on the stage at this period when we consider how remote they were from

What was the consequence?-could it be supposed a generous people, would sit down tamely, and kiss the rod that lashed them? a different mode of conduct ensued. The duke of Alva was sent with a powerful army, the very forcible plea of ty- a child, while, by order of the officer, his own sons rants, and the most shocking cruelties were com- have been his gaolers.*

mitted. 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 between citizens and soldiers; while one pretends to be safe 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 the land was drenched in its richest blood-however affecting the sight of confiscations, imprison. ments, and the numberless cruelties that attended them, they were not daunted. That Gop who hat eth oppression, and delighteth in the happiness of his creation, inspired them with sentiments that

of his labor go to the subsistence of the soldiery. 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.

Look into the situation of Poland. Under the direction of that great man,f famous for his victo ries against the Turks, they were brave and virtuous, and proved the bulwark of Christendom. But, under the Saxon line, this spirit not suiting carried them through innumerable hardships, 'till their plan of government, was awed by electoral after having expended immense treasures and blood troops, and totally decayed. The consequences are for better than threescore years, they laid the foun- now severely experienced by them; and while in dation of a rich, free, and fourishing people: Pro. this depressed state, they are an object of desire to vidence hereby giving an instructive lesson to pos- Turks and Russians, their country is a scene of terity in every age, who are contending for all that

is dear and sacred, to pursue the glorious object undaunted; knowing that, as liberty is a plant transplanted from the gardens of heaven, its divine pa rent will still cherish it, and, in spite of opposition, it will flourish, it will live forever.

bloodshed and misery.

It is needless to mention England, or the idle farce of an annual act of parliament, for the support of standing troops, which is nothing but an insult 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 a mercenary soldiery, can too clearly read the fate of themselves and posterity.

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 com. pare 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 had ever remained so O my country! with what

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.

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

heart-felt satisfaction should I rejoice, if oppression had never stretched her baleful wings to this once happy clime! that that liberty which an illustrious set of men, of whom the world was not wor. thy, purchased at so dear a rate, might have de

In the large empire of Russia, the effects are scended unimpaired to latest posterity. But is glaring. Even the shadow of liberty has vanished. this the case? has this scourge of mankind, standOf so great importance is the military, that a re-ing armies, never interrupted our prosperity? if so, cruiting officer can go through their villages, and why is this desk hung with the sable covering of pitch upon the ablest of the inhabitants, as he death! why am I surrounded by so many of my felwould choose his cattle. And even a father has

been imprisoned in his own house, for the escape of

*Vid. Guthrie's Grammar.
John Sobieski.

3.

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 same horrid consequences in America: and in its usual mode of conduct, has been attended with eve species of cruelty, some of them unheard of before; but which your firmness, under Gon, has hitherto, and I pray ever may, surmount.

The shocking scene of that dreadful night, the fatal effects of which we are now still weeping over, is beyond description. No one, perhaps, if it

in a still greater sea of woe. Such are the sentiments that must strike every breast, when we reflect, illustrious WARREN! on thy death-a death, which whole hecatombs of slaughtered enemies, strowed around thy corpse, can never repay. Here, ye minions of power! ye who are dead to the calls of honor and public virtue, are willing to wade to station through the blood of your brethren, here 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, have 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 hin

self deplored; and that he who could so feelingly paint the effects of this horrid measure, must himself fall one of the first sacrifices to it.

crimsoned with the blood of its citizens, while a tender mother, frantie with grief, pours forth the anguish of her heart over a beloved son, now inca 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.

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 alive could strike terror into their boldest heart, our exertions were then successful, however the lodged it in a promiscuous grave; that since they storm subsided, it was but temporary. While the could not prevent his name and reputation being scales of justice were held in palsied hands, and immortal, his remains might be hid forever. O the most shocking barbarities were the highest me. Britain! thou hast, and shall still weep tears of rit, an additional force only was necessary. That blood for this! arriving, the mask was thrown off, and a still great- Are not such instances, my countrymen, very er scene of carnage and destruction opened in our convincing proofs of the fatal effects of standing adjacent villages. armies in time of peace. In such a period they But such proceedings, however alarming at that originated, and from the fifth of March, 1770, period, were soon lost in more dreadful and dis. through every degree of violence and barbarity, to tressing operations. The heights of Charlestown the present day, it is but one connected scene. too awfully convinced us of the melancholy truth, After such exhibitions of cruelty and carnage, and posterity, while with tears of compassion they what can we suppose too brutal, too infamous for ponder the transactions of that day, must execrate such an army? can we wonder to see our houses in the causes which produced them. In any situation, Hames, our altars rased to the ground, or convert

1

ed to a much more horrid use, than the Jewished Carthagenian.* Lead your sons, ye fathers, not temple? if possible they have even exceeded; and to the altar of paganism, and under the tutelage of the armies of Britain seem to be held up as a some unknown deity, but to the sacred altar of standing evidence, how far the spirit of tyranny freedom, and while the guardian God of America and oppression can operate.

is witness to the solemn obligation, MAKE THEM
SWEAR that they will never be friends to a power,

We shudder when the faithful page of history who are thus sacrificing their dearest privileges. opens to our view the conduct of armies, flushed Ring in their young ears the dreadful tale of mur. with victory, sacking towns, burning villages, and ders, rapes, and massacres. Paint to them the perpetrating murders, with all the other dreadful conduct of Britain, as displayed in her arms in dif. concomitants. But if we look into the conduct ferent parts of America, till their young breasts of the British army in the Jersies, and some part glow with ardor, and thus early catching the flame of the state of New York, we shall find instances of patriotism, they may, through life, pursue unof all these crimes, and, perhaps, in some places, daunted so glorious an object. Pleased with such instances beyond them. To see the third city in an invocation, the shades of our fathers will re& neighboring state, wantonly consumed by an joice over their posterity, and the angels of love enemy who, not having spirit or ability to meet and purity will look down delighted. us in the field, descend to these little mean me. thods of exciting terror-to see the ravages in the

No one, I think, can suppose these thoughts proceed from rage or passion. They are the cool Jersies, and the garden of America thus wantonly dictates of my heart. I love my country; her dis

defaced--does not the blood beat high!-do we not press forward to exterminate such barbarians from the face of the earth! but to mention still greater scenes of cruelty-does not the ear tingle, when it hears the shrieks of helpless virgins, dread. ful victims to lust and barbarity; while the grey hairs and expressive groans of an aged parent, witness to his daughter's shame, plead in vain. Can any thing swell this complicated scene of woe? it can receive addition. These monsters exceed even the most barbarous nations. With them the ashes of the dead have ever been sacred. But under

the patronage of a British tyrant and his general, saufing the tainted gale, they have ransacked the silent repositories, and the remains of one that was once amiable and captivating, flung about as food for the birds of the air. O God, where is thy vengeance! O virtue, honor, religion humanity, where, where are ye fled!

tresses affect me; nor, from this moment, do I ever
wish a reconciliation with a power, whose prospe-
rity must be founded on my utter destruction.

I have now, my countrymen, endeavored to
exhibit the fatal effects of standing armies in time
of peace; not from abstract reasoning, but as they
exist in fact, and now prevail in our distressed
land. Here I would remark, that it is standing
armies in time of peace, and the consequences thence
resulting, that we are now deprecating. Armies,
in defence of our country, unjustly invaded, are
necessary, and in the highest sense justifiable. We,
my friends, attacked by an arbitrary tyrant, under

the sanction of a force, the effects of which, we
have attempted to illustrate, have been obliged to
make the last solemn appeal. And I cannot but
feel a pleasing kind of transport, when I see
America, undaunted by the many trying scenes that
have attended her, still baffling the efforts of the
most formidable power in Europe, and exhibiting
an instance unknown in history. To see an army

These, my countrymen, are not the frights of fancy, not the dictates of imagination: they are solid, though very affecting realities. Can we then of veterans, who had fought and conquered in difwish a re union with such a people? can we ever ferent quarters of the globe-headed by a gene. familiarly shake hands with a nation who, leaping ral tutored in the field of war, illustrious by former every barrier, are thus wantonly sporting with our victories, and flushed with repeated successes, distresses, and bathing themselves in the blood of

our countrymen? may America never retain such mean, dastardly sentiments! for my own part, if I may be indulged, I would entreat, I would conjure every one, who as a parent feels for the welfare of his posterity, to imitate the example of the renown

Delauncy's farm.

*As Hannibal, then about nine years old, was soothing with childish caresses his father, Hamil. car, to take him along with him to Spain, whither, after finishing the war in Africa, he was now about to transport his troops, and was sacrificing for success in that expedition, he was led by his father to the altar, and with his hand on the victim, was bound by this solemn oath, "that as soon as he should have it in his power, he would declare himself an enemy to the Roman people.

Livey, 6. 21. ch. 1.