The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-07-15
TIE E.hllJHRER.
NCHaioND. JULY Is, 1903.
AN GRAFTON

sfiNGhl Coonerv, by GEORGE TUCKER, I
Esq. and Published at their request
WE have assembled, Fe.lcw-Citizens,
not to celebrate the triumph of y military
lhisi, whose glory is pun chased By carnage
and desoiat,on--not one or those victories, by
which nGsio.!s are taught TO indulge the va
nitv OF conquest, t.iat they may forget the
PRIDE OF free;lon-not to tender ut the fo..-
stool ct throne, 4 battery no less de5asing
to the slaves who offer, than the tvrants who
receive 1t, but to hail the return of that dav
which commenced the gle ious career of A.
meTiCan freedom
lhe circumstances which attended the re-
Votutlon we commemorate, honorabiy distn-
guish 1T IN the annals of empires, and af--
ford ample cause for national exatation and
triumph
a few humble colonies, hardly known out
OF the precincts of the British dominion.,
without military force, or revenue, or an es-
tabished government, in defence of their vi
dated rights, boldly took up arms against
the most formidable nation ON earth, and ha-
zarded all that was dear to them, on the no
bic and daring experiment. ~
n sense OF common danger .pervatied the
whole continent, and united in one brotherly
band, those whose discordant habits and the
jealous policy OF the parent country had hi
therto kept divided.
Their forbearance, in spite Of firm per-
suason, that the British nation meant no lon
ger to treat them as equals, but as hum
bic dependents, is truly astonishing. The
sensibiiity, which was every where shown to
the powers recently assumed by the mother
country, manifested as it was in every form
by which an injured people can express in
dignation or complaint, proves that their for
bearance Could have proceeded only from the
sober and temperate character of the people
and this moderation might have afforded
to more sagaCiaus ministry than at that
time directed the councils OF Great Britain,
a sure presagc of the firmness they were a.
bout to exhibit in the. approaching Conflict.
But when it was perceived that complaint
was unavai,ing, and remonstrance deemed
impertinent that longer patience bat SER
we'd to invite to further injury, they exhibit
ed an enterprising vaior, no wise inferior to
their former patience and forbearance. Bold
iy trusting TO their united, thoag!. uasTiSd
strength, and the wonderworlliny power of
Liberty and under the guidance OF chief
whom benignant heaven eemed to nave Gre
ated Tor the trying occas ON, they opposed
fearless front to the disciplined hosts OF Bril-
tain. The world stood amazed at the spec
taCle, and while IL lent them its wishes for
their success, iG1.ented the TOO probable is
sue OF the unequal contest
Alter seven iCng ears of difficulty and pri-
vatlon after Drawing the united terrors of
the bayonet, the tomanawk &c the firebrand,
with the seasonab e ard LIBERAL aid OF France,
victory declared Itself III favor OF justice and
humanity, and Great Britain added her re-
luctant sanction to American independence
1T were unnecessary for nae, my friends, to
recall to your minds the leading events of
this nom eItOus period. In vain could hope
to give the grace OF novelty to a theme, that
mas SO often and SO happily exercised the.
tongue OF eloquence Who can fai to remem-
hn Ia
or glorious, which mark that dark and drea-
ry period? Who has not heard of the Cap
turc OF the British iegions at Saratoga and
York Town! Who has not lamcnted the I'M
timely fate OF Warren, Montgomery Mer-
Ger, & those other gallant heroes, who pour
ed out their lives on the bed of honor. Their
names will ever live in the memory of their
grateful country, and shall occupy the fair
est page of its history. What! Tho they
did not live to see the noble fabric Of indie
pendence completed, it shall never be forgot
ten that the corner stone was cemented by
! their blood On each return of this auspici-
Gus day, memory shall chaunt their praises;
Fancy shall adorn their gallant brows with
wreaths of unfading iaure, and gratitude OF
fer up the incence of nations tears.
| 1t is not poetiCal fiction, that in every
country large portion of its choicest gent
lis lives and dies neglected and uuk' own.
4
complete, but unless the season and occasion
are favorable TO its xplnsion, its updeveio-
ped beauties are lost and unperceived. Ger
tanit is that bot fcT this revolution, many of
our most illustricns patriots would have gil
ded down the stream OF life, undistinguish-
ed from the mingled mas of their species
but no scorer did the occasion call forth
statesmen and warriors, than, ike the fabed
goddess OF wisdom and Of arms, they sprung
into existence, full grown and completely
formed. Let theD the naughty rulers of ma
tons beware, how rhey drive ii virtuous peo-
| pie to resistance. or rely too much upon its
supposed want OF skill 10 use It's own strength
But, Fellow Citizens, IN this pleasing res
Prospect OF our past his DRY, let us not be un-
.'Ddfui of the present and The future. High
and commanding duties are also imposed on
us. The obligations which we owe 20 those
who preceded us, we are bound to discharge
to those who come aftcrus The rich gift of
national glory, which We have received at.
their hands, let rs transmit with undimiDish-
ed Iustre to their and TO our posterity.
During the wars which, with little inter-
mission for fifteen years have existed a.
mong the great powers Of Europe, we have
found profitable employment for our ships
and seamen, and more extensive market