substances of our firmest faith and of our most precious hopes,
these passions not only maintain their highest efficacy, but are
sanctioned by the express injunctions of the Divine Legislator
to his chosen people.

The revolutions of time furnish no previous example of a
nation shooting up to maturity and expanding into greatness
with the rapidity which has characterized the growth of the
American people. In the luxuriance of youth, and in the vigor
of manhood, it is pleasing and instructive to look backward
upon the helpless days of infancy; but in the continual and
essential changes of a growing subject, the transactions of that
early period would be soon obliterated from the memory but
for some periodical call of attention to aid the silent records of
the historian. Such celebrations arouse and gratify the kindliest
emotions of the bosom. They are faithful pledges of the
respect we bear to the memory of our ancestors and of the
tenderness with which we cherish the rising generation. They
introduce the sages and heroes of ages past to the notice and
emulation of succeeding times; they are at once testimonials of
our gratitude, and schools of virtue to our children.

These sentiments are wise; they are honorable; they are
virtuous; their cultivation is not merely innocent pleasure, it is
incumbent duty. Obedient to their dictates, you, my fellow-
citizens, have instituted and paid frequent observance to this
annual solemnity. and what event of weightier intrinsic
importance, or of more extensive consequences, was ever
selected for this honorary distinction?