The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal. [volume] (Boston [Mass.]) 1772-1775, 1774-07-28
Iy. JOHN LATHRoP, A. M.


By. Holm LATHROP, A. M.
Pafor Of the Second Church 10 Bosgos.
Mr.. Lathrop having explained the text, and pointed OUT
eycral cafes in which il smpob live peaCeaby with
all men, goes dcoue the necciiry Ut preparing
for unavoidable war in the following manner wis.,.
"SUCH the luis and paions OF the children Of .
men, and faeh has been the fate OF things from the be-
ginning in revoted world, that the Of iaying
another has been udei with care, and he who has be
ucceeded in dcroyng the enemies OF his King and eoun
try, has received the hisheR applauie.
To hear the alarm of war,ro ice armies forming in
battle aray-to obfeve the whole proces Of bloody
gagement and take fuyey Of the field after the battle Is
over, mutt be knocking aecuaomed to the ieets of
retirement and peaceBut what quarter Of the globe
can we travel, without feeling either the trophies of war,
or the bones Of thoic VII lan, whitening in the
SUM-" What country isl ) on earth unable TO fufnih
US with o Of victories gained, or battles loft In this
American world peace has often been dItubed. We
have been called to fight the ava.ss Of the wilderness. We
have aIlv tried Kill and rngth with the troops of
France and Spain.
But altho the nations which gave US daurbanee from
the r fetement of fathers in this land are Row az
peace with U.S. may expect that peace will continue
always. 49,
q NoRTH-AMxRIcA is Of great importance. The
eyes of Europe fixed upon u.s. and whatever powers on
the other 6de the Atlantic are, either in alliance with Us,
or have the dominion US, mutt find trade or obe-
dence of unpeaable consequence. As grow into i'm
portancc il IS mole than pobablr fome foreign powers,
either through Jealoufy Of our nereans gearnea de-
fire to iecure the profits Of our commerce. to draw nom
US revenue by duties and taxes, in ome future time will
make war upon
France and Spain cannot well put up with their loes
in America the laft war.The moment they think them
eves able they will doubt, endeavour to take iatls-
On; and perhaps attempt to add this whole continent
to their dominions.
Condcrine the reiels tempcrs Of the children Of men,
and the dpotion which the Nations Of the world have
dovered to encoach the rights and liberties of one
Their wife and prudent people, in time of peace,
will be laying up flores, erecting places Of defence, and
ufng themieIves to and diieiplne.
g AMrRieA has every natural advantage that can be
dcired. We have continent Of three houfand miles in
length, and Of breadth YET unexpcfed, in which
however il is uPpoed, there five millions of people
Although, we not At preent able TO defend our
ea ports aganR foreign invaon, rength by land IS
very comfortable Some years ago was found our militia
amounted to more than sgbt Landfd fbcEsnd mfn And
no doubt Americans arc capable OF making iodiers" We
want not courage; il is difcipne alone in which we are
exceeded BY the mo formidable troops that ever trod
the eath--And from the ipirt which Of late has great
sxved being excited by the example OF gentlemen OF
tie R rank and influence, may Venture 70 fay, our
militia win oon be equal TO any ia the word--Such an
cxe6i country 70 filled with Inhabitants, united IN their
kA&shs asaina any common enemy, could not be eaiy
Thelc American colonies were iettled on principles
of loyalty and freedom. No people have ever been
conant in their attachment the OF Great-Bitan,
none more tenacious Of the rights and privileges Of Eng
liihmen.
Our fathers, many Of whom were podsIed of plenti-
f eaates adyentured into this world, and braved all
the dangers and hardps attending the iettement OF an in
holpitable wilderness, that they might enjoy thoe liberties
and privileges qObifb in fbef unhappy days acre tned
3" item al LSme.
g Thcy purchaied the foil on which we tread, Of the
native aboriginal Inhabitants, who alone had right to dii-
pole fit they gained at the eSPence OF much esiure
and bood.--I hope their poerty will never ufier them
ielyes to be deprived Of it, at low price.
When our fathers had purchaied the land we now in
habit they had an undoubted right take up arms in the
defence oft as well defence Of their lives and iber-
ties And as the wars which carried on rt again
the Indians and afterwards agan the French and Indians
jsiry were defsnfye, they may fulfilled on the puet
principles.
As nurf.ry for officers to command fueh troops il
bould be Judged necclay rse from time TO time, and
employ in the defence of country, this HHefm Cs1s-
sosy was formed The event has given fall evidence OF
the utility and wifdom Of the dehgn; and this day the
company and nituon hoth declared HONORABLE BY
BY the urcfcncc of----this large ai'cmbly.
Encouraged By an experienced Captain General and
Commander in Chief il is be hoped martial iPint Will
be more universally dfOfed and that d:pne which alone
IS waning to make the Americans good iod,ers, VIII DC
carried 70 greater degree OpetOn, through the whole
continent, than ever yet has been.
But while we with to Zee the ar; Of cultivated among
u.s. t II be always remembsed that the iolders mutt be
IN oonan ubeeion the laws OF the land--Ih folder
NAV never make ue Of arms but when ne ordered BY inc
contributed guardians Of our rights and liberties.
n, is necefAr that every ate kingdom, be able to
ra;le an aroed force az ihor warning. Their enemies
NAV uddeny invade them, and the couequenees might DC
fatal, were they not able command proper forces for the
common defence.
Thar proyifon may be made agana unexpected emer-
rshciei Is we'll as the more cberas attacks Of the enc
nv, che wsa itates keep up Disciplined Mtia---A well
disciplined militia, conng Of men who have Property OF
their own arc much better, and more certain defence to
en-, eounrv they live in than il is pobe Tor fanding