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....At
what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means
shall we fortify against it?-- Shall we expect some
transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at
a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa
combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted)
in their military chest; with a Bonaparte for a commander, could
not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the
Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years. At what point then
is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever
reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from
abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its
author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live
through all time, or die by suicide......
For the full text of his speech,
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