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

AN \ u HIS day VIC assemble 10 Celebrate inc
anniversary Of our Independence TO coinmc-
morate with rational festiyity, the day that
<dshcrcd or nation into existence. 1t should
BE a day of grateful recollection, when VIC
should dwell over the memory of patriot hc-
rocs, who fought, who conquered, and who
goTiousIy fell in cifecting tho emancipation
Of our country. 1t should be day ofrcjoic-
ing, when VIC should rccarsc with triumph
the successful events Of our revolution, by
which our liberties were painfully, but hon
our.bly acquired. 1t should be day of SOL
crnn convention, when every wandering affec-
ton, every private animosity, and every indi-
yidual interest, should be absorbed in one gen.
cral Sentiment Of patriotism when we should
renew the hcly vow of allegiance to our
country, and unite in sacred covenant topre-
serve her liberties inviolate.
Such exalted exercises of the mind, while
they pay the highest tribute to the memory Of
departed excellence, tend TO bind our afi'cc-
lions closer to the pillar Of our constitution.
They sanctify, they rcgencratc our feelings,
and purify the heart from all those gross pas
sions, witch corrupt it's nature and pcrvert
tho current of its affections for in a country
where every heart is the temple of liberty,
and every intellect the throne OF government,
how important is it to preserve that temple
unprophancd, that throne intelligent and un-
corrupted Let then those examples OF active
worth and exalted patriotism, held forth in our
revolutionary struggle, annually pass before
our minds. They shall kihdlc up the heart
Of the native citizen to emulate the virtues of
his ancestor while the brethern of our adop-
ton shall listen with attentionto the theme,
and bless the memory of those heroes, who
threw open the doors of this asylum to per-
secuted man.
How august the scene, when the sagcs Of
our revolution first assembled to- assert the
rights of their country In day of darkness
of peril, and Of tempest, they launched their
bark amid the conflicting waves OF many wa
tcrs, to save the publick cause from ship
< wreck. No ambition OF dignities, no ayidlty
Of gain prompted them to action. What ag-
srAndizement could they possibly receive
from country overwhelmed by oppression
and threatened with discriminating war ?---
What wealth could they expect from an ex
haustcd treasury, diminished revenue, from.
publick intigcnce, and individual distress J!
On The contrary, in espousing tho cause of
frccdom, they surrendered at once the sweets
OF fdemestiel, case, every consideration OF in-
tercst, and every assurance of security. And
TO acquire Whit? If Successful, the approba-
ton n'of theit own lfcafts, and the simple bless
insr Of IA Impoverished but cmancipatcd pco
pfe. lfanfcstunste, 10 incur poverty, perscl
cation, perhaps IN ishominious death, from
the henSts OF exaspertted power.
Yet with such inauspiclous prospects,whilc
til2thunder Of royaIindignation uluttercd over
rlei heads, and dthrcatenedtoharI destrusticn
around them did they intfopidly assemble
to vindicatc the rights of an oppressed people
;!nd 20 rend asundcr forever those ties which
bound us to the opprcssor. Then was it that,
after rccapitulating in candid but feeling lam
gaagc, the many privations they had suffered,
the many insults and injuries they had sus-
tanned a.soemn appeal was made TO the
Supreme Judge of the Universe, for the
righteousness of their intentions, and these u
nited States declared free and independents"
The sword OF war was drawn, not in passion,
not in blind fury, or 'headlong resentment;
but with deliberate solemnity charactcris-
tick or the people, and worthy of tho, cause.
itwas raised aoit in pious adjuration, the APP
probation Of Heaven giearned upon the blade,
II was tho sword of the Lord and Joshua.
Were to describe man, who,abardonng
tho soft tranquility Of peace, and shutting his
cars against INC syren seuucttohs Oh aiHucncc
andtsccurity, encountered voluntarily all the
cs:fs Of ironwar who,without mulmur, un-
dcrwent hunger, thirst, nakcdness, the cx-
tremcsoftorrid hcat,Ss thfilling cold, and allthe
s"' variety ofsuAcring "that flesh is heir to-"
ig 20 rushed almost unarmed to battle, who
E $ undauntcd by numbers, unbroken by de-
eat, uncorrupted by victory.--Whosc only
Ter was tho righteousness Of his cause,
Ayh only motive was the love Of his country.
Su you would say, were the fabed heroes
of,he old time, such were the prodigics of
patriotism and volour, that existed inthc hca-
ted imagination of the bard Of such have
Homer and Marc sung in strains of Heaven
born poetry. Yes, my felowcitizcns, some
few such heroes have indeed been celebrated