Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from The Character and Influence of American Civilization: An Oration Delivered Before the Authorities of the City of Lowell, July 4th, 1855
The splendid scheme of future greatness may have risen before their eyes. Their charter, and the char ters of the other colonies, reached from the Atlantic to the Pacific. That Pacific they had never seen, nor did they hope to see it. But doing their present duty, they left the results with God. Gov. Bradford ventured to indulge the hope that, as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light kindled here may, in some sort, shine even to the whole Nation. Who shall say, in contemplation of the fruition of thathope, that some prescience of the vastness of their work did not find a lodgement in their minds?
A century and a half have gone by. The men Of Plymouth have passed away. Yet all along the At lantic sea-coast live Englishmen. Thirteen colonies have filled the narrow strip Of shore-line with busy life. Hardy and courageous mariners, shrewd and enterprising traders, dwell securely in the sea-port towns. A manly and vigorous population, skilled alike in using the plough, and handling the musket, is scattered among the rural villages. The crack of the woodman's ri?e is heard among-the solitudes be yond the Alleghanies. The Indian wars have taught the colonists how to repel invasion. The pulpit has given them lessons of godly instruction, and nurtured them in a religious manhood. The school-house, now dotting every hill-side, has shown them how to think for themselves. The town meeting has instructed them in the political economy of self-government. The necessities of colonial life have told them of the power of productive industry. Provincial soldiers have taught British veterans the art of war, and saved British armies from destruction. Provincial divines have founded churches which acknowledge no bishop as their spiritual head. Provincial scholars have claimed for themselves and their colony respect and honor. And these things have been done, not by the help Of a titled nobility, nor by the aid of rank and position and hereditary wealth, but by the simple force of a true manhood. What are titles, rank, po sition, on this virgin soil, and beneath this open sky? Let every man prove himself to be a man and let that be his nobility! To use one of our local phraseswhich has more meaning in it than at first sight ap pears every man had to fight, till the ground, plough the sea, learn his letters, preach the Gospel, and live the Gospel on his own hook!
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