Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-07-07
C. w. P. GUSTS, Esq.

celebrate the 2Stn ara or American lnuc"
pendence.
This:is our national birth day. On this
dav 1776, we first beheld the light of Free
dom; we-burst the bonds of oppression,
and espoused the cause of Liberty. Like
the infant Hercules, we strangled the SER
pent in the cradle, and, like him, arose to
power and greatness.
Unite, my fellow-citizens, IN thanks to
the author of all good, for permitting you
"a freemen to behold the return OF this .au-
spieious day.
The morning of our political life was
dark and gloomy, the meridian has been
bright and glorious. the evening remains
with fate. The history of the rise and pro-
gress of the American revolution, forms a
vast arainthe history of mankind. A peo-
Gle born to the inheritance of freedom, be-
come the objects of foreign oppression;
but firm in-defenee of their birth right, they
appeal to Heaven, to justice and the sword.
The contest IS doubtful, and fate for a
while holds the balance in suspense, till my
.countrymen, aided by the hand of Provi-
vdence, I" burst the dark phalanx'' of OPP
preston to /" let in the light" OF free.
dom.
Twas then we arose to the rank Of a
nation; twas then we filled the character
we were destined to assume. + uH many
time during the arduous struggle did the
bravest heart dc spond; the American Ea-
gle had begun TO droop its wings, and'the
spark of freedom seemed glimmering to
Its end; but the genius Of liberty, the
guardian spirit of my country, watch. d
over our safety in the hour of danger; the
spirit of animation again revived, and our
noble exertions were crowned with inae-
pendence.
The history of those times afford use
full lesson to the inhabitants Of these.
1t shews what can be achieved by no.
mes, endeavor. 1t shews that people i'm
pressed with a reliance on ths source Of all
faith, and aided by just and noble cause,
can rise from the ruins Of an empire, to be-
come an empire themselves. The force
of discipline, of science and experience,
were vanquished by the enthusiasm of Ii
bertv.
Atthat great name our fathers left their
fields, for the field Of danger; abandoned
the peaceful scenes of domestic happiness,
for the awful trial of war and trouble. No
louger did the patriot look back with lin
gering regret, on the objects of his afecti-
on, out looked forward with hope, to the
great obiec, of his country.
Twas this vast spirit which breathed In
so his soul, twas this holy work which he
conceived it his duty to perform, twas to
give freedom and happiness to his native
land that he fought and bled In her cause.
Noble character! Brave patriotic SOL
der! Long shall faithful history trans
mit thy fame; long shall delighted posteri.
~ dwell with rapture on the story of thy
worth. and pay the tribute ofrespect to thy
exalted merit Go teach the youth this
lesson Of virtue! Tel them the way to ma.
,ional greatness is by performing deeds of
national worth, and the road TO national
happiness leads by the fountain of virtue
and truth.
The return Of this day should bring re.
turning JOY to every American bosom. It
saould t~achus the lesson of humanity. for
while we glory in what We now are, we
ought TO remember what we once were;
the true spirit of alteration should ascend to
the throne fgrace, fog the mercies OF Pro-
violence.
The eyentfm period of TIE revolution IS
fresh in the memory Of many who now ex.
ist. What must be their feelings On the
return os a day forever held sacred In the
saness Of their lives. What a train of re.
feetion must arise at the mention of'76.
Wien you think of the dangers which en-
comgassed YOU at that time, think of the