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pointed them to the cells of Bedlam as an abode more suitable
for hatching vain empires than the solitude of a transatlantic
desert。
These consequences； then so little foreseen； have unfolded
themselves； in all their grandeur； to the eyes of the present age。
It is a common amusement of speculative minds to contrast the
magnitude of the most important events with the minuteness of
their primeval causes； and the records of mankind are full of
examples for such contemplations。 It is； however； a more
profitable employment to trace the constituent principles of
future greatness in their kernel； to detect in the acorn at our
feet the germ of that majestic oak； whose roots shoot down to
the centre； and whose branches aspire to the skies。 Let it be；
then； our present occupation to inquire and endeavor to
ascertain the causes first put in operation at the period of our
commemoration； and already productive of such magnificent
effects； to examine with reiterated care and minute attention
the characters of those men who gave the first impulse to a
new series of events in the history of the world； to applaud and
emulate those qualities of their minds which we shall find
deserving of our admiration； to recognize with candor those
features which forbid approbation or even require censure； and；
finally； to lay alike their frailties and their perfections to our
own hearts； either as warning or as example。
Of the various European settlements upon this continent；
which have finally merged in one independent nation； the first
establishments were made at various times； by several nations；
and under the influence of different motives。 In many
instances； the conviction of religious obligation formed one and
a powerful inducement of the adventures； but in none；
excepting the settlement at Plymouth； did they constitute the
sole and exclusive actuating cause。 Worldly interest and
commercial speculation entered largely into the views of other
settlers； but the commands of conscience were the only
stimulus to the emigrants from Leyden。 Previous to their
expedition hither； they had endured a long banishment from
their native country。 Under every species of discouragement；
they undertook the voyage； they performed it in spite of
numerous and almost insuperable obstacles； they arrived upon
a wilderness bound with frost and hoary with snow； without
the boundaries of their charter； outcasts from all human
society； and coasted five weeks together； in the dead of winter；
on this tempestuous shore； exposed at once to the fury of the
elements； to the arrows of the native savage； and to the
impending horrors of famine。
Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman； before
which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air。
These qualities have ever been displayed in their mightiest
perfection； as attendants in the retinue of strong passions。
From the first discovery of the Western Hemisphere by
Columbus until the settlement of Virginia which immediately
preceded that of Plymouth； the various adventurers from the
ancient world had exhibited upon innumerable occasions that
ardor of enterprise and that stubbornness of pursuit which set
all danger at defiance； and chained the violence of nature at
their feet。 But they were all instigated by personal interests。
Avarice and ambition had tuned their souls to that pitch of
exaltation。 Selfish passions were the parents of their heroism。
It was reserved for the first settlers of new England to perform
achievements equally arduous； to trample down obstructions
equally formidable； to dispel dangers equally terrific； under the
single inspiration of conscience。 To them even liberty herself
was but a subordinate and secondary consideration。 They
claimed exemption from the mandates of human authority； as
militating with their subjection to a superior power。 Before the
voice of Heaven they silenced even the calls of their country。
Yet； while so deeply impressed with the sense of religious
obligation； they felt； in all its energy； the force of that tender tie
which binds the heart of every virtuous man to his native land。
It was to renew that connection with their country which had
been severed by their compulsory expatriation； that they
resolved to face all the hazards of a perilous navigation and all
the labors of a toilsome distant settlement。 Under the mild
protection of the Batavian Government； they enjoyed already
that freedom of religious worship； for which they had resigned
so many comforts and enjoyments at home； but their hearts
panted for a restoration to the bosom of their country。 Invited
and urged by the open…hearted and truly benevolent people
who had given them an asylum from the persecution of their
own kindred to form their settlement within the territories then
under their jurisdiction； the love of their country predominated
over every influence save that of conscience alone； and they
preferred the precarious chance of relaxation from the bigoted
rigor of the English Government to the certain liberality and
alluring offers of the Hollanders。 Observe； my countrymen； the
generous patriotism； the cordial union of soul； the conscious
yet unaffected vigor which beam in their application to the
British monarch：
〃They were well weaned from the delicate milk of their
mother country； and inured to the difficulties of a strange land。
They were knit together in a strict and sacred bond； to take
care of the good of each other and of the whole。 It was not
with them as with other men； whom small things could
discourage； or small discontents cause to wish themselves
again at home。〃
Children of these exalted Pilgrims！ Is there one among you
ho can hear the simple and pathetic energy of these expressions
without tenderness and admiration？ Venerated shades of our
forefathers！ No； ye were； indeed； not ordinary men！ That
country which had ejected you so cruelly from her bosom you
still delighted to contemplate in the character of an affectionate
and beloved mother。 The sacred bond which knit you together
was indissoluble while you lived； and oh； may it be to your
descendants the example and the pledge of harmony to the
latest period of time！ The difficulties and dangers； which so
often had defeated attempts of similar establishments； were
unable to subdue souls tempered like yours。 You heard the
rigid interdictions； you saw the menacing forms of toil and
danger； forbidding your access to this land of promise； but you
heard without dismay； you saw and disdained retreat。 Firm and
undaunted in the confidence of that sacred bond； conscious of
the purity； and convinced of the importance of your motives；
you put your trust in the protecting shield of Providence； and
smiled defiance at the combining terrors of human malice and
of elemental strife。 These； in the accomplishment of your
undertaking； you were summoned to encounter in their