22 MARYLAND.

monument, that will last whilst language is un-
derstood by men.

The author of the declaration by which in-
dependence was promulgated to the world, has
just descended to the tomb, full of years and of
honors. One only of those whose names were
attached to the instrument, remain in the land of
the living;—a son of Maryland, CHARLES CAR-
ROLL, of Carrollton. Posterity will estimate
with what affectionate veneration every eye at
this day is directed towards him.

But in the fervour of feeling inspired by
those proud recollections let us not forget what
is due to the character of the state, nor to the
character of the people whose delegates these
great men strictly were. To have been service-
able instruments in effecting a revolution so
glorious and eventful, is distinction sufficient for
mortal man.—To have been the author of A-
merican Independence, is an honour which can
be claimed for no one man, nor any body of men,
short of the American people.

It was the espirit of freedom, that was abroad
in the land: it was a knowledge of the rights of
man, and a jealousy of the approach of tyranny
in any form, that awakened the spirit of revolu-
tion, not here and there, but every where, as
the people of this country, distinguished the in-
sidious form of slavery attempted to be imposed
upon them by the British King. It was the pre-
valence of this feeling, of Whig Principles, thro-
out the land, that suggested the convocation