They broke from their
side the arms which alone had rescued them from their enemies! I now
come to save them from themselves. Their having permitted the
sacrifice of the rights of my family was the first injury committed on
the constitution, and it prepared a path for the ensuing tyranny which
seized upon the kingdom. But, by resuming these rights, which is now
my firm purpose, I open to you a way to recover our hereditary
independence. The direful scene just acted on the Tower Hill of
London, that horrible climax of Scottish treason! must convince every
reasonable mind that all the late misfortunes of our country have
proceeded from the base jealousies of its nobles. There, then, let
them die; and may the grave of Wallace be the tomb of dissension!
Seeing where their own true interests point, surely the brave
chieftains of this land will rally round their lawful prince, who here
declares he knows no medium between death and victory!"
The spirit with which this address was pronounced, the magnanimity it
conveyed, assisted by the graces of his youth, and noble deportment,
struck the hearts of its auditors, and aroused in double vigor the
principles of resentment to which the first tidings of their heroic
countryman's fate had given birth.
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