Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-05-30
Gubltse DrattoY,,
DELIVERED BY Mr.. BALDWIN.

GLORIOUS is the occasion upon
which we are assembled-glorious for the
cause of liberty, and glorious for you, fell
ow.citizens. Can there be a spectacle
mere splendid n.the sight of man, or more
, pleasing to our great and common parent,
than republic of frecmen convened n
round the tombs OF their forefathers, to
celebrate the birthday of their country !;
to commemorate the era of their national
existence, aud, with pious gratitude, to hail
! the lofty spirit OF their dauntless ancestors !!
J On this day, to tread the consecrated
! ground, on which our forefathers first fix
ed their habitations, must awaken in cur
minds the most enthusiastic ideas; it must
add new fuel to the patriotic flame which
g!ows in the breast of every Virgnian.
Here, band of heroes, headed by the gal
iant Smith, and guided by the protecting
hand of the all-wise and omnipotcnt direc-
tor OF human events, after Drawing the ter
rors OF an unknown and boisterous ocean,
unaPpalled by the soul-chilling war whoop
! OF the savage native, and struggling against
! the complicated evils of famine and dis
ease, first sowed the seeds of an empire,
which has risen, within the short period of
few generations, to political Importance,
and attained height of prosperity and
| der and admiration of the world, but still
promises the richest harvest of human e.
Lefty. Immortal spirit of our forefathcrs
! II we are permitted to look down from the
regions OF celestial bliss, on the transact.
ons of this subiunary world, . dcign to
view with compiacency the glowing ardur
aud deep sensibility, with which your
| grateful descendants celebrate this glori-
| GUS day when the tinsel monuments,
erected by vanity and pride, shall be no
more, the memory Of this day shall sur
vive; it will live forever, because it will
| be forever engraved on the hearts Of free
/ men. Fathers shall relate the scui inspir-
I ing h story % their lisping infants chill
dren shall catch the patriotic enthusiast
OF their parents; and the pure fame, fan
ned by each succeeding generation, shall
be handed down to the latest posterity.
| Thou supreme disposcr o. the destimies
of nations, God CT Heaven and Earth how
| mysterious are thy ways, how wonderful
are thy works Two hundred years only
nave fed, since an infant colony, in the We
| ry cradle of political existence, oppressed
| by misery and despair, exposed to all the
| lurking revenge OF tie exesperated ma
tives, here, had almost fallen "oblivion's
ready prey !" Who would have thought
!
star of the American constellation wou d
arise with the most brilliant spIen,lor
Who would have thought, that from so
small, so unfriendly germ, millions would
arise, On this day, to cover this extensive
continent, blessed with the enjoyment of
J Heavens best gifts?
| The mansions of our forefathers have
! crumbled into dust we seek Tor them in
vain; scarce vestige is found. The first
settlers have been swept from the face of
the earth, succeeding generations have
followed them, as the rolling waves OF the
mighty deep.--With what veneration, with
what religions care, do we view the runs
of that ancient steeple, monument of the
pioty Of our progenitors A pleasing me-
lancholy steals over my soul, and my mind
is hurried back, by the tide of reflection, to
the carly periods of our history. How dc
the images of the gallant Smith and the
amiable Pocahontas rise TO our view -
Who does not venerate their virtues, and
shed a tributary tear to their memories
NiTgiDians, the arrival of our forefathcr.
in this country, the consequent rise and
progress ofthe American Empire, the eau.
ses which have SO wonderfully acceleTa ed
that progress, together with those energies
which will long maintain the impulse FIRST
fGSCiNGGs arc CCItdinty SUBJECTS most WOr'
thy of the attention Of the Philosopher, the
Statesman, or the Citizen and, / trust
not inappropriate on this occasion. The,
will receive but little light, am too wei
aware, from one, whonow presumes TO ap.
pear before you. But though ] am not
insensible to my own deficiency, i rely up.
on that candor and benignity, which gene.
rous minds are ever ready to extend to tht
youthful and unassuming Orator.
Europe, just emerging from state o
dark and gothic ignorance, had begun t
acquire spirit Of enterprise, when tn,
. great and president genius of Columbia
prompted him to encounter the dangers o
the vast Atlantic, and seek for a new work
in the Western Hemisphere. The sam,
= adventurous spirit which led to the disco
, very of America, instigated many Europe
r ans to leave their native home, and i'm th,
dreary wilds Of this great continent, en-
deavor to find that asylum, and that hap
piness Of which they were destitute
= You we'll know. Fellow Citizens, the nj
most insurmountabie difficulties attendinr
the settlement Of Ourcopntry You we'll kno,
that the vital spark of Virginia was ne III
extinguished at her birth but like tn
5 youthful Hercules, she rose superior e. In
5 horrors which surrounded her Coed Cod
, what a series Of misfortunes does tie his
s tory Of this colony present 20 our view
/, Imagine to yourselves, Nirginians, you
n forcf9thpvs eubarkipp VUon the stormy Az