Should the Republic of America ever lose the consciousness of this destiny, that moment would be just so surely the beginning of America’s decline, as the 19th of April, 1775, was the beginning of the Republic of America.

Prosperity is not always, gentlemen, a guarantee of the future, if it be not accompanied with a constant resolution to obey the call of the genius of the time.  Nay, material prosperity is often the mark of real decline, when it either results in, or is connected with, a moral stagnation in the devoted attachment to principles.  Rome was never richer, never mightier, than under Trajan, and still it had already the sting of death in its very heart.

To me, whenever I stand upon such sacred ground as this, the spirits of the departed appear like the prophets of future events.  The language they speak to my heart is the revelation of Providence.

The struggle of America for independence was providential.  It was a necessity.  Those circumstances which superficial consideration takes for the motives of the glorious Revolution, were but accidental opportunities for it.  Had those circumstances not occurred, others would have occurred, and might have presented perhaps a different opportunity; but the Revolution would have come.  It was a necessity, because the colonies of America had attained that lawful age in the development of all the elements of national existence, which claims the right to stand by itself, and cannot any longer be led by a child’s leading-strings, be the hand which leads it a mother’s or a step-mother’s.  Circumstances and the connection of events were such, that this unavoidable emancipation had to pass the violent concussion of severe trials.  The immortal glory of your forefathers was, that they did not shrink to accept the trial, and were devoted and heroic to sacrifice themselves to their country’s destiny.  And the monuments you erect to their memory, and the religious reverence with which you cherish the memory, are indeed well deserved tributes of gratitude.

But allow me to say, there is a tribute which those blessed spirits are still more eager to claim from you as the happy inheritance of the fruits they have raised for you; it is, the tribute of always remaining true to their principle; devoted to the destiny of your country, which destiny is to become the corner-stone of LIBERTY on earth.  Empires can be only maintained by the same virtue by which they have been founded.  Oh! let me hope that, while the recollections connected with this hallowed ground, inspire the heart of a wandering exile with consolation, with hope, and with perseverance (from the very fact that I have stood here, brought with the anxious prayers and expectations of the Old World’s oppressed millions), you will see the finger of God pointing out the appropriate opportunity to act your part in America’s destiny, by maintaining the laws of Nature and of Nature’s God, for which your heroes fought and your martyrs died; and to regenerate the world.