the past bound them by ties of kindred and affection to the mother
country. They were venturing on an unknown sea; there were no charts to
guide them, no precedents to follow. The truth was, as Jefferson so
tersely said, "The people wait for us to lead the way. The question is
not whether by a declaration of independence we shall make ourselves
what we are not, but whether we shall declare a fact which exists." So
also John Adams said, "The Revolution was effected before the war
commenced."


I cannot tell the story of the seven year's war. The articles of
confederation were sent to the States in 1778, but the last of the
thirteen States, Maryland, did not adopt them until March, 1781.
Congress under he confederacy dealt with the States and did not have the
confidence or the love of the people. It required nine States to pass
any measure of importance. During the war the confederacy was a
pitiable failure. It issued bills which no one would take, its
certificates of indebtedness and promises to pay were so worthless that
it gave rise to the proverb, "Not worth a continental." Robert Morris,
the financier, pleaded hopelessly for help. Alexander Hamilton
denounced the confederation as "neither fit for war nor peace." Even
Washington, always hopeful, wrote in 1781: "Our troops are fast
approaching nakedness; our hospitals are without medicine; our sick are
without meat; our public works are at a standstill; in a word, we are at
the end of our tether, and now or never deliverance must come." At last
victory came--thanks to the generous assistance of France, to the heroism
of leaders like Lafayette, Baron Steuben, and hosts of others, who gave
us their fortunes and hazarded their lives for America, the war was
ended by the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. Victor Hugo said, "Napoleon
was not defeated at Waterloo by the allied forces. It was God who