FOURTH OF JULY ORATION, DELIVERED AT CHESTER, PENNA., BY ISAAC T. COATES, M.D. FELLOW OF THE AMERICAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY; MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY METHINKS I see in my mind a noble and puissant nation, rousing herself like a strong man The laws, the rights, The generous plan of power delivered down So dearly bought, the price of so much blood, Oh! never let it perish in our hands.-Addison's Cato. Could we create so close, tender, and cordial a connection between the citizens of a State as to DR. ISAAC T. COATES: CHESTER, PA., May 25, 1876. Dear Sir,-The citizens of Chester intend to celebrate, on the coming Fourth of July, the One Hundredth Anniversary of American Independence; and they respectfully invite you to deliver the Centennial Oration. The exercises will take place at the lawn of General E. F. Beale. By order of the Committee, B. F. BAKER, Secretary. WILLIAM C. GRAY, Chairman. CHESTER, PA., June 1, 1876. GENTLEMEN, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 25th ultimo, bearing an invitation from the citizens of Chester to deliver the Centennial Fourth of July Oration on their celebration of our One Hundredth National Anniversary, to be held here on the coming Fourth of July. While the time is entirely too brief for even abler hands than mine to do the great subject anything like adequate justice, I must yet accept the invitation, and thank my friends and fellow-citizens, through you, for the great, and certainly undeserved, honor their flattering partiality pays me. With great respect, Your friend and obedient servant, ISAAC T. COATES. To WM. C. GRAY, Chairman, and B. F. BAKER, Secretary. |