174 NATURAL HISTORY AND TOPOGRAPHY OF GROTON, MASS. 



tale of other times." "pleasant and mournful to the soul ; " he pointed 

 out the causes which had operated to the ruin of all other Republics 

 and warned us, lest by listening to the hypocrisy of demagogues, we 

 follow them in the path to destruction. After dinner the following 

 toasts were given, accompanied by responses of artillery : 



The Day we celebrate. — May its annual return find our beloved 

 country free, prosperous and happy. 



The memory of our revolutionary martys, who generously planted 

 the tree of liberty, and watered it with their blood. 



The memory of George Washington. — Those must be his truest 

 friends, who were so while he was yet alive. 



The surviving Officers and Soldiers of the revolutionary army. — 

 May our respect compensate for the penurious reward with which 

 their services were requited. 



The American People. — May they ever remember that wisdom 

 and virtue are as essential to preserve liberty, as they were to ob- 

 tain it. 



The Rising Generation. — Born free, may they never beget slaves. 



Our Rights and Liberties. — Incapable of aberration, may they 

 descend, like an estate tail, till time itself shall have no remainder. 



The President of the United States. — In repelling foreign insult, 

 may he find us all united. 



The Governor of this Commonwealth. — In the exercise of his con- 

 stitutional rights, he shall find a cheerful support from those, who did 

 not elect him. 



The Militia of this Commonwealth. — May they unite the freedom 

 of citizens to the discipline of soldiers. 



Caleb Strong. — May his private life be as happy, as his public 

 has been meritorious. 



Agriculture. — May our honest farmers never bow the knee to im- 

 posing despotism. 



Massachusetts. — In the penumbra of democracy, may it not suffer 

 a total eclipse, but soon emerge and regain its pristine splendor. 



The Reverend Clergy. — As they well deserve, so may they freely 

 receive our cordial attachment and support. 



The memory of Col. William Prescott, and his Fellow Soldiers from 

 the vicinity, whose gallant deeds on Bunker's hill first taught our ene- 

 mies to respect American valor. 



