Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1810-09-24

the present. !" Pro Pat,ia 5emter," should
be the text Of our political sentiments; and
the nation at home the theme Of political
enginery. And in period of such pres.
sure or alarm, let as look to the chart laid
down by our departed commander, and we
shall see the course which leads to honor
and safety. 1
AS an old servant Of my country in the
cause of her domestic interests have in.
dulged myself on subject very dear to
my feelings. am happy to 6ud that good
" cause in which I have labored, SO wor-
thily progressing, and hope to see the day,
when the standard Of my country will float
over the ranks of her embat,led sons, called
from their farms and fresdes 20 defend the
last land Of freedom. Not small band,
elittering in the panoply of other nations,
but a mighty hest, vlrtuous and dlgnlhed
in the garb of their own: Whtn the soldier
wars in this glorious cause, will his gar,
msnt sit heavier on his shoulders from hav-
ing been prepared by the hands Of his wife,
or child Will the plume which mods on
his brow be less dear to his esteem from its
being the gift perhaps of one he loves -
Let the nation reflect upon the importance
of increasing all manner of attachm, nts be-
tween the citizen and the soil, the best sour
ces of happiness to individuals, and sccuri-
ty to the state.
The characteristics Of Americans are TO-
reign to splendor and show, and the silec-
,ation of these borrowed manners are re-
pugnant to the principles, and inconsistent
with the duties of people whose fame was
founded upon their vi,tuous humility, and
whose happiness will be preserved by us
practice.
Tile Highlander delights in the habit Of
his fathers and the music OF his hills. The
| wisdom OF his government renders sacred
TO his use those customs in wsiCh his heart
| feels interest. Is he faithful? Is he brave !?
| Take from this man his bonnet and plaid,
! and stiff, n his active form in the costume Of
| the mode IN school-He would sCktn at the
charge. & ,hs 42d socn be forgotten in the
Annals OF glory. And are not Americans
to have some national pride, some force OF
habit Our youth taken from the plough
| should be as lltIe restrained by fo,m i'll
| their military equipments as possible. III
! n>,v they have net known in the walks of
rural employment, and simple dress is at
once suited to their modes OF life, and the
service they must Of course perform. With
tie Examples Of others and the urgent call
OF patriotism will not Americans originate
some military habit Tor themselves, wi.aout
being The humble copyists Of Others:
| If<gret, Mr. Editor, ,ha, a systt m whose
! benz cial effects all must allow, and whose
progress have been SO happy as 10 pro.
moe, ,hro' the medium of Others, should
havs failed in my ndi, idual attempt. The
plan is however correct, and the elid highly
| desirable, and have no doubt that the
! corps have had the honor to command
| will be restored in better hands. The price
Of equipments by my calculations, was
little more than dollars; three companies
are forming in the District, one Of which
rates it's expence a, dollars and the others
at 8 and e. | have been hcnored with a
communication from major Cdyer, COM
mandng a battalion Of RlAemen in The
county Of Ontario, state OF New York,
which contains the plan OF an uniform SO
simple, elegant, and national, that | pray
you 10 give it publicity, for the benefit Of
similar corps elsewhere.
Believr me respectfully, &c.
G. w. P. GUSTS.
Arhngton House, 18Th Sept.