Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-08-01
'HomAs T. BouLDrN, Secretary.
Mr.. PRESIDENT,

WHEN nations who are under
despotic controul, join in the celebration of
the birth days OF their despots, we cannot
suppose that any of the genuine affections of
the human heart can be interested OH the
occasion. The whole would rather sum
the result OF that state of abject dependence
In which they are held and to an impair
tial observer, can assume no other apuear-
ance, than the servile adu!ation, that the
authority OF master can eXtort from n
slave. Such an anniversary, although il is
called in such governments an expression
OF loyalty, is nothing more than a declara-
ton, of nations disgrace. It acknow-
hedges the rights of tyrants to enslave the
world, not for the good of nations, but for
purposes OF ambition and self aggrandize-
mcnt: And as such Acknowledgement is
every way repugnant to human nature. il
leaves the whole an idle farce, into which
none OF the generous feelings of our natures
can enter, and consequently flows from SER
Witty ana constraInt. But when a nation.
whose virtues have elevated her above this
degrading state OF things whose govern
ment has equal justice tor its base whose
citizens are free and independent whose
laws are administered only for the public
good; and whose sovereignty resides in
the people, of which, each citizen nossesses
his proportional share; | saw, sir. when
such a people unites to celebrate the dav
which gave them national existence. all the
most lively sensations of the soul, are ca
led into exercise. In the mind Of the sus-
ceptible citizen, such an occasion e,cites
love OF country, because by that country.
his most valuable rights are protected and
secured; 1t excites joy, on account of that
freedom and independence which he feels
ne possesses; 1t cXcites sympathy, for thou
sands OF his fellow creatures. who arc vet
manacled with the letters of oppression
IT eXcltes gratitude, for the peculiar boun.
~ OF Heaven, 70 the nation of which he /.
part; and 1t eXcitcs veneration, for those
characters whose patriotism first conceived
the mighty plan, and whose beroism rusb-
ed It into operation. Such, sir, have been
the virtuous feelings Of thousands of the A.
merican people, on the celebration of the
anniversary of independence and such.
we hope, are the impressions of thousands
OF the free born sons of Columbia. who
are this day assembled to celebrate tbis
great national festival. Did we nosspss
omnipresence, we should this dav hear the
names OF Washington, Franklin, Jefferson.
&C. &c resound from the tongues of thou.
sand orators; we should hear their virtncs
dressed in all the glowing colors of poetic
fancy, held up as great examples to a ris-
ing generation; we should hear the genius
OF liberty, invoking the great contro9,er Of
human events for a continuation Of the
Of '76; we should hear the great
advantages, which this happy country pos !
sesses over the other nations of the carth. !
portrayed in the richest paintings of a vivid {
imagination and no doubt, bu. we should !
icel that honest triumph, so natural TO a !
mind conscious of superior happiness. But,
MI president, amidst all this national cx- ]
o'tatlon, amidst all this honest pride for