ADDRESS OF THE CITIZENS OF BALTIMORE
ADDRESS OF THE CITIZENS OF BALTIMORE
TO
THE PEOPLE OF FRANCE.
FRIENDS AND ANCIENT ALLIES:
We, the people of Baltimore, in Convention
assembled, do, with unqualified satisfaction, tender
you our heartfelt congratulations, on the late glorious
assertion of your undoubted rights.When we behold
the many and severe trials through which you have passed,
we cannot but express our joy, that your liberty is
now fixed on a firm, and, as we ardently hope, an
enduring basis.We must ever bear in vivid recollection,
the efficacious assistance you so liberally extended
to us in our day of peril.The blood and the
treasure of France flowed freely in our cause.Under circumstances of great national difficulty you
alone, among the nations of the world, interposed your
shield for our protection.Frenchmen and Americans
fought side by side in the holy contest for freedom;
and variant as were their habits, religion, manners,
and language, it is nevertheless true, that not a solitary
instance of discord disturbed the harmony of the two
people.The most exemplary citizen of America
did not render more absolute submission to the laws,
and to the civil authority, than did the gallant and
devoted soldier of France.Such are the noble
inspirations of liberty!These recollections
are cherished with gratitude, and will be faithfully
transmitted to millions of unborn Americans.To
Heaven, to France, and to the stout hearts of our
ancestors, are we indebted for all that man should
most highly prize.And we rejoice that our ancient
and faithful allies have triumphed over tyranny, have
asserted their unalienable rights, and themselves
ordained their great charter of government.We
rejoice that this triumph has been accomplished with
that mild and chastened spirit becoming the age, and
peculiar to advanced civilization.No excess,
no absence of moderation, no intemperate ardor nor
vengeful aspirations.In this sublime display
of courage and of humanity, of victory and of forbearance
united, Americans are delighted to see the hand, and
to recognize the benevolent spirit of the great and
good LAFAYETTE, to whom the hearts of the people of
Baltimore are bound by so many indissoluble and grateful
associations.History affords no brighter example
of cool and philosophic expression of matured thought,
and of determined yet temperate action.The omen
is most propitious, and a people so actuated must
enjoy ages of that liberty they have so dearly yet
so nobly achieved.That this brilliant omen may
be carried out into happy reality, through all courses
of time, is our sincere wish, and our most earnest
supplication to HIM who holds the destinies of nations
in his hand.
SAMUEL SMITH, Chairman.
JOHN S. SKINNER, Sec’ry.