The captive shall soon be releas'd from his chain ;
And conquest restore us to Britain again

Ever to join in chanting merrily

Glory and joy crown the King!

Hear thy indictment, Washington, at large;
Attend and listen to the solemn charge:
Thou hast supported an atrocious cause
Against thy king, thy country, and the laws
Committed perjury, encouraged lies,

Forced conscience, broken the most sacred ties;

Myriads of wives and fathers at thy hand

Their slaughtered husbands, slaughtered sons demand. ...

What could, when halfway up the hill to fame
Induce thee to go back and link with shame?
Was it ambition, vanity or spite

That prompted thee with Congress to unite?
Or did all three within thy bosom roll,

t Thou heart of hero with a traitor's soul'?
Go, wretched author of thy country's grief,
Patron of villainy, of villains chief;

Seek with thy cursed crew the central gloom,
Ere Truth's avenging sword begin thy doom;
Or sudden vengeance of celestial dart
Precipitate thee with augmented smart.

PART III. THE NEW REPUBLIC

PART III. THE NEW REPUBLIC

CHAPTER VI

THE CONSTITUTION

THE CRITICAL PERIOD

nation on

[159]

The entrance of the United States into the family of 40. The new nations was a critical step. The acknowledgment of our trial independence by Great Britain provoked, rather than settled, the most important questions. It remained to be seen, as Washington said, whether the Revolution should prove a blessing or a curse to America. There were enthusiastic voices raised to proclaim the event as the opening of a new era in the history of the world, and there were dire prophecies of anarchy and destruction. The Reverend Richard Price of London, who had followed our cause with sympathy, wrote the following optimistic admonition in 1785:

Having, from pure conviction, taken a warm part in favor of the British colonies (now the United States of America) during the late war; and been exposed, in consequence of this, to much abuse and some danger; it must be supposed that I have been waiting for the issue with anxiety-I am thankful that my anxiety is removed; and that I have been spared to be a witness to that very issue of the war which has all along been the object of my wishes. With heartfelt satisfaction, I see the revolution in favor of universal liberty which has taken place in America; a revolution which opens a new prospect in human affairs, and begins a new era in the history of mankind; - a revolution by which Britons themselves will be the greatest gainers, if wise enough to improve properly the check that has been given to the despotism of their ministers, and to catch