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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
OF PENNSYLVANIA; MEMBER OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF
PHILADELPHIA, ETC., ETC.

METHINKS I see in my mind a noble and puissant nation, rousing herself like a strong man
after sleep, and shaking her invincible locks; methinks I see her as an eagle, mewing her mighty
youth and kindling her endazzled eyes at the full mid-day beam.-Milton on the Liberty of the Press.
I am all that has been, that is, and that shall be, and none among mortals has hitherto lifted my
veil.-The Enigma cut on the Pavement of the Temple of Minerva.

The laws, the rights,

The generous plan of power delivered down
From age to age, by our renowned forefathers

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
induce all to consider themselves as relatives, -as fathers, brothers, and sisters,-then this whole
State would constitute but a single family, be subjected to the most perfected regulations, and
become the happiest republic that ever existed upon the earth.-Plato.

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Hon. "Edward L. Pierce, Abuton.

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.

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