III. PATRIOTISM. Perhaps there never was another man, whose personal character and conduct exercised an influence, so powerful and so beneficial, on the destiny of a great nation. JAMES GRAHAME. Can tyrants but by tyrants conquered be, Sprung forth a Pallas, arm'd and undefil'd? On infant WASHINGTON? Has earth no more Such seeds within her breast, or Europe no such shore? He changed mankind's ideas of political greatness. LORD BYRON. FISHER AMES. THE PATRIOT CHIEF. As the Congress desire it, I will enter upon the momentous duty,* and exert every power I possess, in their service, and for the support of the glorious cause. 1775. *Commander-in-chief. THE COUNTRY'S CALL. I was summoned by my country, whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love. I have obeyed a summons, to which I can never be insensible. When my country demands the sacrifice, personal ease must always be a secondary consideration. THE PATRIOT'S VOW. The love of my country will be the ruling influence of my conduct. 1789. THE RULERS GLORY AND THE PEOPLE'S HAPPINESS. It is a wonder to me, that there should be found a single monarch, who does not realize, that his own glory and felicity must depend on the prosperity and happiness of his people. How easy is it for a sovereign, to do that, which shall not only immortalize his name, but attract the blessings of millions! THE AMERICAN PATRIOT. When the councils of the British nation had formed a plan for enslaving America, and depriving her sons of their most sacred and invaluable privileges, against the clearest remonstrances of the Constitution, of justice, and of truth, and, to execute their schemes, had appealed to the sword, I esteemed it my duty to take a part in the contest, and more especially on account of my being called thereto by the unsolicited suffrages of the representatives of a free people ; wishing for no other reward, than that arising from a conscientious discharge of the important trust, and that my services might contribute to the establishment of freedom and peace, upon a permanent foundation, and merit the applause of my countrymen, and every virtuous citizen. SPIRIT OF FREEDOM. With respect to myself, I have never entertained an idea of an accommodation, since I heard of the measures which were adopted in consequence of the Bunker's Hill fight. The King's speech has confirmed the sentiments I entertained upon the news of that affair; and if every man was of my mind, the ministers of Great Britain should know in a few words, upon what issue the cause should be put. I would not be deceived by artful declarations or specious pretences; nor would I be amused by unmeaning propositions; but in open, undisguised, and manly terms, proclaim our wrongs and our resolutions to be redressed. I would tell them, that we had borne much; that we had long and ardently sought for reconciliation upon honorable terms; that it had been denied us ; that all our attempts after peace had proved abortive, and had been grossly misrepresented; that we had done every thing that could be expected from the best of subjects; that the spirit of freedom beat too high in us to submit to slavery; and that, if nothing else would satisfy a Tyrant and his diabolical ministry, we were determined to shake off all connections with a State so unjust and unnatural. This I would tell them, not under covert, but in words as clear as the sun in his meridian brightness. 1776. If we do our duty, we may even hope to make the campaign decisive on this Continent. But we must do our duty in earnest, or disgrace and ruin will at tend us. 1780. TRUST IN GOD. I shall rely, confidently, on that Providence which has hitherto preserved and been bountiful to me. As it has been a kind of destiny that has thrown me upon this service, I shall hope that my undertaking it is designed to answer some good purpose. 1775. PUBLIC SPIRIT. In exchanging the enjoyments of domestic life for the duties of my present honorable and arduous station, I only emulate the virtue and public spirit of the whole province of Massachusetts Bay, which, with a firmness and patriotism without example in modern history, has sacrificed all the comforts of social and political life, in support of the rights of mankind, and the welfare of our common country. My highest ambition is, to be the happy instrument of vindicating those rights, and to see this devoted province again restored to peace, liberty, and safety. 1775. I believe, that man was not designed by the Allwise Creator, to live for himself alone. OBEDIENCE TO CONGRESS. While I have the honor to remain in the service of the United States, I shall obey, to the utmost of * Commander-in-chief. |