Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-07-09
FROM THE BALTIMORE EVEN
ING POST.
ANNIVERSARY
AMERICAN IND EpE.MDENcE.

dearto every republican period at which
the heart expands with gratitude to the
bestower of every good and perfect gift,
ior his muniiicence to This highly favored
and happy country.
The hoary headed patriot looks back
to the year Of Sevenfy-sir, with 10y min.
| gled with melancholy reflection. He re.
members how in the ardor of youth his
bosom overflowed with enthusiasm when
the decree had gone forth which gave
his country name and released, his ma.
| live fields from the bonds Of iyran, and
the iangs oil corrupt and cruel ministry.
WIN solemn contemplation he reviews
The scenes which nave passed--again en-.
dures the summers heat and winters
cold IN march from" Georgia's streams
to the walls of proud Quebec"-he yet
drops the tear ofregret for a father bro
| Their or son, slain in thearduous conflict
--mardcred at Paoli or Egg Harbor, or,
STARTED 70 DEATH in the midst ofhienfy,
90 board British prison ship.
| The" times that tried mems souls" hay.
ing passed, the warrior gladly" turned
his sword into plough share and his
spear into pruning hook"--the work
was accomplished the mighty deed was
done. He sat himself down under " his
own vine and under his own fg.tree" 10
| recruit exhausted nature, and in the sun
canine of peace to wait renewal of his
| strength diss,pated in the war. But he
found II was not an easier task to retain liz
6erty than to obtain il. He beheld MANY
causes for his exeriions, his courage and
his fortltude.
tie beneld hundreds Of those whose touch
had been considered as infamy during The
mar, erasping with bold hand the dig
mites enjoyments hroduc. d by heace.
lie teaeld the SPECTATOR WHO, by well.
devised system OF villainy, had got fat
upon the distresses of his country
men, assume the man ofconsequence,
and snatch, as it were, the helm of go
verntnent.
He saw those men he had opposed hand
10 hand and loot to foot, in the embat.
tied held" giving tone To- pubic OPT
MON, and called IN 10 support that sys.
tenn which they used every exertion 10
strange in it's infancy.
He hadbeheld his country re attacked its
former enemies, mol with ERE and sword
as IN the contest, bur by corruption and
Intrigue, secret service money, and hi G.
ling prostituted printers.
He has seen the poor soldier trampled
upon--the rights ne acquired, by Sweat
ing drops of blood. torn from him to
grace the brows of a newly imported
Son of ST. George"
He heard the song of s Hail Columbia.
sung IN concert with God save the
Kng"--and at a celebration Of the an
orJnly heard expressions of loyalty TO
his majesty" and determined hosti-
iiy TO the rebel STATES made use of.
He has behcld the time when there was
more msrif in Being a .jfderal English
man. than an -Amer.can Of the principles
of seVenty-six.
He has known instances OF American ci-
tzens driven from office TO make room
for hungry expectants from the " mo-
Their country"
He has Witnessed attempts to destroy the
constitution oil his country, and to esta-
Dish the doctrine that republ,canism
means any thing.
tie has heard the name of Washington
prostituted to the basest purposes
made The. sheet anchor Of wicked men,
and sniied by the praise of political
swindlers.
lie has beheld his ,:ountry oppressed by
taxrsr-gfoaning under swarms of USE
less and arrogant Understand the mca.
sures of government tending to exalt
an aristocracy not less burthensome
than the kinSly authority his arm as.
sisted 10 aDnIbllste.
lie has seen glorious reformation cf
abuses--a government established on
the basis of" equal and exact Justice TO
all men," sPosIates put 10 flight, and
The temple oiiiberly pufged from its poi
lotions.
Therefore he will rejoice that again he
may Behold the anniversary Of i6depeh.
dence, and hts heart will feel glad that his
children YET bail the day with transport.
lie viii rejoice there yet remains a coun-
try in which man is free" an asylum for
the oppressed of all nations"
lie VIII rejoice thatihe republicans have
an ascendancy in our national affairs, and
his earnest prayers viii be offered uf to
Heaven that they may be. seslous in pre-
serving il.
lie will rejoice because Of his country's
prosperity, and that there exists a spirit
amo2g The people TO preserve it.