The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-08-30

such was every patriot OF ourrcyolitio1l.
The Ycomal, as lie repaired to Join the
ranks Of his countrymen, cast Inourrtul look
over the fields he had planted, waving IN rich
luxuriance he badc long adict TO his hum
BILE roof, the scene of many an hour Of fdomes-
tick ioy and fond cndcarmcnt, the much be-
loved spot where centeted all his fclicities.
Alas those scenes might soon be lid waste
by war, those harycsts tramplcd under foot by
a remorseIcss enemy, that dwelling be made
tho abode of shricking horror by the sword of
desolation The sigh burst from his bosom,
but it famed the fame of patriotick resolu-
ton ; it brcathed the feelings of the fr but
it shook not the hrmncss Of the soldier.
Every mean was devised to seducc the af-
fectons, corrupt the principles and appa the
courage ofthc patriot. Persuations the most
insinuating, promises the most dazzling were
held forth by wealthy foe He was like
famishcd man, tempted with all the Injuries
of the table. Did he yield Was the weak
ness of human nature conquered by golden
temptation? No--throughalong, soul weary
ing struggle, but one among race of suffer-
ing warriors, was found rccrcant enough to
betray his country and the astonish,ncnt cx-
cited by the crime Of Arnold, bespoke the
wrtuous feelings of his countrymen. Miser-
able man Let his fate be recorded an awful
warning to mankind Like a second Cain,
the mark Of Heaven was set upon him; he
became vagabond, an out-cast, a torlorn pro-
fligatc, blasted ON the face of the earth !; the
cxccrations of viftuous people hunted him
to his death the fcnd Of rcmorse incessant-
ly shrieked traitor in iis ear. Detcsted by
his countrynen, dcspscd by the world, loath-
cd even by himself he skrlked ignominiously
to the tomb there let him moulder in obi-
Won, /" may no stone mark his gravc," to draw
down on it the curses Of the traveller.
To sap the resolution and ovcrwheIm the
courage of the patriot warrior, sweeping
plan of hostility was resorte1 to. Invading
fleets poured fcs.h ain armed dciuge upon the
sea coast, and the wilderness yielded forth
hordes of barbarians, who deepen the horrors
Of war, by cold .blooded cruelty and savage in
genuity of torture. What the civilized SOL
der of Europe had spared, the rcmorseless
savage laid waste. No refuge was a sanctu-
airy against his violence, no age or sex, a pro.
lection from his cruelty. While absent in
the service of his country, the humble cot
tage of the peasant warrior was wrapped in
flames. The trembling hand OF age, fcebly
raised the weapon to defend the mansion Of
his youth. from dcsolation, his children, and
his childrcn's children, from destruction.
Those hoary hairs which should have sunk in
peace and ndhononrtothe graye,were stainedwith
gore, were violated by q savage hand, and the
few drops of blood that fingered through his
withcred veins were shed in wanton cruelty.
The soldier of the revolution, sore with his
wounds received in the field of battle, re-
turned to repose in the house OF his fathers,
to reclinc his throbbing temples on the. bosom
of connubial tenderness. He heholds his once
peaceful habitation, a srnoaking ruin, his ven
cradle sire, the wife of his bosom, the tender
lambs he had cherished, all inhumanly butch
cred Gracious Heaven Was he not ami
hilatcd by the sight Did not his heart yield
under its sulIerings Did he not silently sink
into submission No, for while he .prescn-
ted that exalted picture WHICH Seneca has
we'll pronounced the noblcst that God can be-
hold, virtuous man suffering and struggling
with his aiilictions. But lie struggled and
triumphcd oyer them. He had that within
which bore him up against every trial, the su-
prcmc love, Of his country. A spirit thus
fortified may be wounded, but cannot be bro
ken, it may be borne down, but cannot be, sub
ducd. Ii rises stronger from every pressure
and can only perish, with the heart that it an
innatcs. se
~ Such isa faithful picture of hero Of our
revolution of such men was our intrepid,
but scanty army composed. Unacquaintcd
with that mechanical adroitness at arms,
which is the result ofrcgular discipline--des-
titutc of supplies and scantily equipped, they
had to contend with powerful, we'll furnished,
well organized armics.-Thc field of battle
was their military school, and. the art ofwar
was acquired by bloody experience. But
thoir strength lay in the union ofthcir hearts:
bound togethcrby sympathy of sentiment and
unity of motiyc,they were like a solid phalanx,
where man is linked to man, and shield to
shield ; presenting one condensed mass of
moving war, impenetrable and Irresistible.
How greatly they dared-how gloriously they