Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-08-02

Of Jaty, Z. Charlottesville, 10 an 0sset,6,u
conVcned 10 ne Fi2f,ase of celebrating
ne Anniversary O., l:is!s. Tcadrace.
IN con'emplaiing the history of past
Ages, those periods which mari, the rise
ard downfall citations and OF empires. IT.
resista5'y, arrest our attention; the mind
dweils on them with IN IRE than us accrs-
toned in,eres;. and in ;hc series or psst
events W. are led u seek for ,h. causes
which produced the mighty change.
Such epochs m.y be considered rs emf
nenccs III the yariega,ed landscaps uc hu-
man affairs from whence we mav no, an
Iy survey with advantage The visible pros.
peel ut he past, but ;he imagination may
be prrmitcd &c launch her views into ia.
seen futnri;v.
If,he changes OF empire and the fail
OF kingdoms egciic such interest in our
minds, with what sensations shall we APP
proach the Sra WHICH the present annivsr-
sary recalls Ia our remembrance. An ezra
which mol only marks The period when
great nation rose into existence, but an
nounces the arrival ofsn important reve-
luton ia human opinion, aud uufolis to
AN astonished world, new prospe6ts of
happiness and OF freednm. Whatever
pa!i Ii NAV be The future iot of America
TO act upon the theatre Of the world, the
declaration OF her independence is an e.
vent which will long continue to hold a
conspicuous station in the annals Of has
tory. The liberation from foreign domi.
Mon, of a country to which the uYconsci-
enable laws of nature have assigned the
r. (.
population and such great physical pow
or, the consequent recognition and prac-
teal establishment OF republican pginci-
ies upon scale so new and SD extensive,
he influence which these TRANSACTIONS
have had on The opinions and conduct of
the inhabitants OF other counties, are t.
vents which the hand of time can never
obl;terate. They have taken place before
the eyes OF The present generation and
the pen of history has recorded them for
The Information of posteri,y and SO long
as we preserve unmpaired the fair fabric
OF our freedom, so long Will the annual
return of MS day continue 10 bring with
it only sentiments OF self-approha,ion and
Joy; but If at any time faittiess 10 the ss-
credtrus which has been committed TO
our charge we should suffer 1t TO he dila.
pidated by the encroschments Of ambti.
on, then viii II return only 10 remind us
OF our dsgeneracy, and 10 call down the
execrauIoas of poslcrily upon the heads
ut that generation which shall have per-
mit,ed the devastations-
When 1 place myself in the situation
oil citizen of the world and take view
of the political condition of America,
when compared with that of other uati-
ons, the first aspect in which IL presents
itself 70 my mind is that Of great phe-
nomcnon i'll the political world, the for
lui,ous production OF chance rather than
the regular efs-ct OF the ordinary course
of human events. If we take a retfospec-
tive view of antiquity, we shall; only fad
republican government prevailing among
a few uncomfortable states, whose freedom
was as transient in its duration as their
territories were dimiDui;Ye in extent.
The nations OF the present day afford no
other examples but of people WHO are eli.
thcr the slaves OF coSrCive restraint, or of
incurable prejudice, either making pain
ful and ineif:ctual Struggles for the at
taiBment CT freedom, OF unconscious Of
its blessings and even ignorant of its
name. We shall find the colonies which
other nations have founded on Tie new
Continent, sub hitting with implicit reve.
renee 10 The shsckles az European subiec.
ton, and none Of Them aspiring to tie e..
levated condition Of freedom and indie.
pendencc which We enjoy. Wnen from
the contemplation of such scenes we di-
rect our view 10 the country in which we
live, we are struck with contrast CT once
pleasing and Astonishing, aud by that r.
Tesistihie curiosity which leads Us 10 seek
Tor causes adequate 10 The. production of
every effect, We are imPelled TO enquire
by what series Of events america has &C
qaircd this proud pre.cmincnce, 70 what
fortunate concurrence OF circumstances
She is indebted for N exemption from 50
great portion Of those evils which vice
and desposlsU have aided 10 the catalogue
OF human misior,nnts.
Oar astonishlnent will in some mea
sure subside if we adyert to The condnion
OF civilized Europe at the period when
shis country was first colonizcd. In tina,
country fiom which we derive manners,
language, anddeccnt changes had occur
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