Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-07-09
@ ALTON.
C. DENE AZ, Sec ny.
,Esa.ssmes ofthe Washing ton Society,
Fy;e,,ds and Eellosv- Gjtizens

>fvtious. which have ever Deem accomplish
I'd Ito REGAL TO your minds the sacred
principles. which led our fathers through
periious contest, TO the lasting establish.
sntns of rational liberty <ir oar land, and TO
exsite a Qenerous emullationin your breasts
By she Just tribute of praise due 70 the wise
and valiant characters who held the helm
.efroverumen, and guided the nation safe
I shrauxh the storms that assailcd q, IS the
!. .task required from my feeble powers.
The subject is not less grand than dear
20 the American breast, and lament my
inability to do Justice tolyour feelings, and
!, TO the occasion. But relying on your IN.
diligence, I shall attemps with tim'd steps
20 trace the path OF our revolutionary
patriots; to illasssate their principles, and
xsuiogise- their virtues.
- Never before our OWE had We an instance
Of asimilar revolution. mean a reyolnti.
ON founded upon principle and not forced
! hy,acfual oppression. The uation from
which we sprung fond of their own prosper
.;ty and power, saw with jealousy people
whom they considered inthe light OF de-
pendent children growing into strength &
manhood, Ignorant OF the general spirit
of our country, but not inattentive 10 their
own power and consequence they supPos.,
ed che time arrived when America should
contribute 20 the national support, loo
anxious for the object, shsy disregarded.she
Just means. of accomplishing il, and endea.
~yorsd 60 seize with force what never could
sbe. claimed ofIight, or yielded with honor.
Ther, it was thatthe wisdom and temper OF
our fathers broke forth ia language and
manner which astonished andcharmed the
,..aorld. Modest, yet arm suPpllcanng,yes
vet manly ssudious TO shun the conflict );
yet determined to meet it In all its rage
rather than .relingsish the rights and Ii
lberties transmitted TO them by their fore.
fathers. Their addresses to the king and
people of Britain display : spirit worthy
Of ancient Greece or Rene. Neither the
dread Of power nor the hope of,pieiermens
restrained the expression Of their honest
sentiments. Theirs was not the-vaPor OF
passion, .she incompetence of faction, or
che murmnrs of .oPpression.--but the cool,
1.-THE temperate, and the free exertions OF rea'.
aasson opposing prejudice and theinsolenee.
o' ST power. Il was not the duty upon tea,
r~.ssifiing 10 It's amount, and never collected,s
r. r.. az kindled the fame Of. resistance, 1t was
Srssciplssof imposing itsaTithout our
nsent sha. reused the indignation OF our
~ untry. A principle which was TO place
ASneck of the American people under the
operate of Ereign legislation.
theory ofyirtual representation was
aaoniixhed and found,wanting, and reason
tfems fnsd M so poor spbsteffuge for op.
at tbsss.ion. Virtual representation II at all
dmissibIe in free government, can only:
Ibeso where their arc some common fea-
lures of interest between the people and
those who legislate for them. But SO TAR
from a community of interest existing IN
British hopss Of commons with the people
of America, is was evident the reverse was
true. Their particular interest induced
chem 70 TAX as, and what bounds could we
hope 20 sec ipnt TO such a principle. when
Il was in the power of these who governed
70 extend il 30 its utmost length. Political
crednlisy, and passive reliance on the pro-
missed lenitv of government, were iohies
which an extensive ocean had haPp,ly
con6ned TO the shores of the old world.
Our wise and yirtuous forefathers knew
the only radical security for their happiness
Was ia the maintenance of sound princi-
pies, and NOT in the pyete az promises Of
fhoss IN pover. They demanded a REIN
quish uthe part of Great Britaia OF the
pernicions principle of legislasingfor them
10 all cases, as the ground ofreconcillation.
Al,ho' the terrors of invasion. the threats
of power, and the articles of deiusion as
sailed them on every side: Jet firm and
mistaken amidst poverty, weakness, and
distress, they stood resolved to risk their
sils rather than abandon 30 just . claim see