https://boston1775.blogspot.com/2009/07/identifying-unknown-orator.html
On July 4, 1776, in the old State House in Philadelphia, a group of patriotic men were gathered for the solemn purpose of proclaiming the liberty of the American colonies. From the letters of Thomas Jefferson which were preserved in the Library of Congress, I have been able to gather considerable data concerning this portentous session.
In reconstructing the scene, it is well to remember that if the Revolutionary War failed every man who signed the parchment then lying on the table would be subject to the penalty of death for high treason. It should also be remembered that the delegates representing the various colonies were not entirely of one mind as to the policies which should dominate the new nation.
There were several speeches. In the balcony patriotic citizens crowded all available space and listened attentively to the proceedings. Jefferson expressed himself with great vigor; and John Adams, of Boston, spoke and with great strength. The Philadelphia printer, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, quiet and calm as usual, spoke his mind with well chosen words. The delegates hovered between sympathy and uncertainty as the long hours of the summer days crept by, for life is sweet when there is danger of losing it. The lower doors were locked and a guard was posted to prevent interruption.
According to Jefferson, it was late in the afternoon before the delegates gathered their courage to the sticking point. The talk was about axes, scaffolds, and the gibbet, when suddenly a strong bold voice sounded—“Gibbet! They may stretch our necks on all the gibbets in the land; they may turn every rock into a scaffold; every tree into a gallows; every home into a grave, and yet the words of that parchment can never die! They may pour our blood on a thousand scaffolds, and yet from every drop that dyes the axe a new champion of freedom will spring into birth! The British King may blot out the stars of God from the sky, but he cannot blot out His words written on that parchment there. The works of God may perish: His words never!
“The words of this declaration will live in the world long after our bones are dust. To the mechanic in his workshop they will speak hope: to the slaves in the mines freedom: but to the coward kings, these words will speak in tones of warning they cannot choose but hear...
“Sign that parchment! Sign, if the next moment the gibbet’s rope is about your neck! Sign, if the next minute this hall rings with the clash of falling axes! Sign, by all your hopes in life or death, as men, as husbands, as fathers, brothers, sign your names to the parchment or be accursed forever! Sign, and not only for yourselves, but for all ages, for that parchment will be the textbook of freedom, the bible of the rights of man forever.
“Nay, do not start and whisper with surprise! It is truth, your own hearts witness it: God proclaims it. Look at this strange band of exiles and outcasts, suddenly transformed into a people; a handful of men, weak in arms, but mighty in God-like faith; nay look at your recent achievements, your Bunker Hill, your Lexington, and then tell me, if you can, that God has not given America to be free!
“It is not given to our poor human intellect to climb to the skies, and to pierce the Council of the Almighty One. But methinks I stand among the awful clouds which veil the brightness of Jehovah’s throne. Methinks I see the recording Angel come trembling up to that throne and speak his dread message. ‘Father, the old world is baptized in blood. Father, look with one glance of Thine eternal eye, and behold evermore that terrible sight, man trodden beneath the oppressor’s feet, nations lost in blood, murder, and superstition, walking hand in hand over the graves of the victims, and not a single voice of hope to man!’
“He stands there, the Angel, trembling with the record of human guilt. But hark! The voice of God speaks from out the awful cloud: ‘Let there be light again! Tell my people, the poor and oppressed, to go out from the old world, from oppression and blood, and build my altar in the new.’
“As I live, my friends, I believe that to be His voice! Yes, were my soul trembling on the verge of eternity, were this hand freezing in death, were this voice choking in the last struggle, I would still, with the last impulse of that soul, with the last wave of that hand, with the last gasp of that voice, implore you to remember this truth—God has given America to be free!
“Yes, as I sank into the gloomy shadows of the grave, with my last faint whisper I would beg you to sign that parchment for the sake of those millions whose very breath is now hushed in intense expectation as they look up to you for the awful words: ‘You are free.’”
The unknown speaker fell exhausted into his seat. The delegates, carried away by his enthusiasm, rushed forward. John Hancock scarcely had time to pen his bold signature before the quill was grasped by another. It was done.
The delegates turned to express their gratitude to the unknown speaker for his eloquent words. He was not there.
Who was this strange man, who seemed to speak with divine authority, whose solemn words gave courage to the doubters and sealed the destiny of the new nation?
Unfortunately, no one knows. . . .
There are many interesting implications in his words.
He speaks of the ‘rights of man,’ although Thomas Paine’s book by that name was not published until thirteen years later.
He mentions the all-seeing eye of God which was afterwards to appear on the reverse of the Great Seal of the new nation.
In all, there is much to indicate that the unknown speaker was one of the agents of the secret Order, guarding and directing the destiny of America.
This post reminded me of several stories I’ve come across. There was an unknown Man who assisted in designing our National Flag. A British Swordsman and Knight recorded a prophecy he read in the stars the year of Washington’s Birth. And General George McClellan had prophetic dreams
At the home where the Congressional Committee appointed to design the Flag was staying. An Elderly Educated Gentleman also stayed. In the account he was only referred to as ‘Professor’ or ‘The Professor’. His name either being lost or deliberately omitted. But his words, actions, and recommendations helped the committee finally decide on a flag Washington later adopted.
There’s also the prophecy of one Sir William Hope. Recorded inside “Vindication of the True Art of Self Defense” a book he wrote that was kept in his personal library. It is apparently currently housed in the Congressional Library in Washington D.C. The Prophecy was allegedly made in 1732. The year of Washington’s Birth
“ 'Tis Chaldee says his fate is great Whose stars do bear him fortunate. Of thy near fate, Amerika, I read in stars a prophecy:
Fourteen divided, twelve the same, Sixteen in halfs--each holds a name; Four, eight, seven, six--added ten-- The life line's mark of Four gt. men.
This day is cradled, far beyond the sea, One starred by fate to rule both bond and free.
Add double four, thus fix the destined day When servile knees unbend 'neath freedom's sway.
Place six 'fore ten, then read the patriot's name Whose deeds shall link him to a deathless fame. Add double four, thus fix the destined day
Whose growing love and ceaseless trust wrong none And catch truth's colors from its glowing sun ! Death's door shall clang while yet his century waits, His planets point the way to other's pending fates.
Till all the names on freedom's scroll shall fade, Two tombs be built, his lofty cenotaph be made--
Full six times ten the years must onward glide, Nature their potent help, a constant, prudent guide.
Then fateful seven 'fore seven shall sign heroic son Whom Mars and Jupiter strike down before his work is done. When cruel fate shall pierce, though artless of its sword; Who leaves life's gloomy stage without one farewell word. A softly beaming star, half veiled by Mars' red cloud Virtue, his noblest cloak, shall form a fitting shroud.
Then eight 'fore eight a later generation rules, With light undimmed and shed in progress' school.
Then six again, with added six shall rise, Resplendent ruler--good, and great--and wise. Four sixes hold a glittering star that on his way shall shine; And twice four sixes mark his years from birth to manhood's prime.”
According to some who’ve done the work and deciphered the Esoteric information. The Prophecy concerns George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Harrison, and William McKinley. I can’t personally speak to confirming it myself though.
But here it is as I was able to find it again at least after a brief search. There appears to be several variations. Here is one that’s been trimmed down a little for Brevity. Pulled from the text “The Secret Destiny of America” by Manly P. Hall.
At two o'clock of the third night after General McClellan's arrival at Washington, D.C., to take command of the United States Army, he was working over his maps and studying the reports of scouts. A feeling of intense weariness came over him, and leaning his forehead on his folded arm he fell asleep at his table. He had not been sleeping more than ten minutes when it seemed that the locked door of his room was suddenly thrown open, and someone strode up to him and in a voice terrible with power spoke: "General McClellan, do you sleep at your post ? Rouse you, or ere it can be prevented, the foe will be in Washington."
The General then describes in some detail his strange feeling. At the moment he seemed to be suspended in the center of infinite space, and the voice came from a hollow distance all about him. He started up, but whether he was really awake he was never able to decide. The table covered with maps was still before him, but the furniture, the walls of the room, and other familiar objects were no longer visible. Instead, he was gazing upon a living map including the entire area of the country from the Mississippi river to the Atlantic ocean.
McClellan tried to see the features of the being that stood with him, but could discern nothing but a vapor having the general outline of a man.
As he looked upon the great map, McClellan was amazed to see the movements of the various troops and regiments, and a complete pattern of the enemy's lines and distribution of forces. The General was immediately infused with a great elation, for he felt that the movements on this extraordinary map would enable him to bring the war to a speedy and victorious termination.
Then his elation changed to great apprehension, he saw the enemy's forces moving to certain points which he himself had intended to occupy within the next few days. He quietly realized that in some way his plans were known to the enemy.
Then again the voice spoke. "General McClellan, you have been betrayed. And had God not willed otherwise, ere the sun of tomorrow had set the Confederate flag would have waved above the Capitol and your own grave. But note what you see. Your time is short."
His pencil moving with the speed of thought, McClellan transferred the troop positions from the living map to the paper map on his desk. When this had been done, McClellan became aware that the figure standing near him had increased in light and glory until it shone like the noonday sun. And as he raised his eyes he looked into the face of George Washington.
The first President with sublime and gentle dignity looked upon the bewildered officer, and spoke as follows: "General McClellan, while yet in the flesh I beheld the birth of the American Republic. It was indeed a hard and bloody one, but God's blessing was upon the nation and, therefore, through this, her first great struggle for existence, He sustained her and with His mighty hand brought her out triumphantly. A century has not passed since then, and yet the child Republic has taken her position of peer with nations whose pages of history extend for ages into the past. She has, since those dark days, by the favor of God, greatly prospered. And now, by very reason of this prosperity, has she been brought to her second great struggle. This is by far the most perilous ordeal she has to endure; passing as she is from childhood to opening maturity, she is called on to accomplish that vast result, self-conquest; to learn that important lesson, self-control, self rule, that in the future will place her in the van of power and civilization ...
"But her mission will not then be finished; for ere another century shall have gone by, the oppressors of the whole earth, hating and envying her exaltation, shall join themselves together and raise up their hands against her. But if she still be found worthy of her high calling they shall surely be discomfited, and then will be ended her third and last great struggle for existence. Thenceforth shall the Republic go on, increasing in power and goodness, until her borders shall end only in the remotest corners of the earth, and the whole earth shall beneath her shadowing wing become a Universal Republic. Let her in her prosperity, however, remember the Lord her God, her trust be always in Him, and she shall never be confounded."
As the spirit visitor ceased speaking he raised his hand over McClellan's head in blessing, and the next instant a peal of thunder rumbled through space. McClellan woke with a start. He was again in his room with his maps spread out on the table before him.
But there was one difference; the maps were covered with the marks, signs, and figures which he had inscribed there during the vision.
McClellan walked about the room to convince himself that he was really awake. He then returned and looked at the maps. The markings were still there.
Convinced now that the experience was heaven sent, McClellan had his horse saddled and rode from camp to camp making the necessary changes in his strategy to meet the enemy's planned offensive.
His moves were successful, and he prevented the capture of the city of Washington. At that time the Confederate Army was so close that Abraham Lincoln, sitting in his study at the White House, could hear the rumble of the Confederate artillery.
General McClellan concludes his account of the strange vision that saved the Union with these words: "Our beloved, glorious Washington shall again rest quietly, sweetly in his tomb, until perhaps the end of the Prophetic Century approaches that is to bring the Republic to a third and final struggle, when he may once more, laying aside the crements of Mount Vernon, became a Messenger of Succor and Peace from the Great Ruler, who has all the Nations of the Earth in his keeping.
"But the future is too vast for our comprehension; we are the children of the present. When peace shall again have folded her bright wings and settled upon our land, the strange, unearthly map marked while the Spirit eyes of Washington looked down, shall be preserved among American archives, as a precious reminder to the American nation of what in their second great struggle for existence, they owe to God and the Glorified Spirit of Washington. Verily the works of God are above the understanding of man !"
From the research I’ve done into the alleged “vision” though. It appears to just be an Apocryphal work by someone later. But again. I can’t speak to the accuracy of anything I’ve relayed. It’s just memories of various things I encountered in my research and delving into various Esoteric Texts and random Rabbit Holes. That OPs post jogged. Followed by some brief internet searches to retrieve the relevant information.
If it's true that means angels were sent down to ensure the freedom and success of America. Sometimes I wonder if we're in a new chapter of the Bible or something. Thank you for sharing.
Also the fact that a random tornado scattered the British from the capital during the war of 1812. The observers remarked how unusual the occurrence was. There was also the supposed Washington prophecies were an angelic being told him of America's destiny.
That map should still exist, shouldnt it?
If the story is true then it probably should. But the trick would be to tell it apart from the dozens of other Campaign and tactical/strategic maps that would have been in the possession of McClellan and other Union Officers over the course of his command.
And Granted just because it should have been preserved doesn’t necessarily mean it was.
I read every word and loved it. I love romanticizing US history.