Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-12-16
GO. ~
Prince E4raya, Nov. 27th, 1911.


Mr.. PLEAsANTs,
You will, perhaps, be surprised to
see, the sometime cheerful, but in general mel
ancholy muse, who has so often chaunted her ju-
venile strains through your indulgont pages
quit her wontcd vvacity and check Der JOYFUL
note, to rehearse in uncouth prose, the kanteuta-
Die rU1norS OF war. bfei0iiIe is welded To the
dulcet music of divine poesy: and he would in
rapture, excharPe the harsil-croaking, of this
graceless prose, for the sweet poets melting
lay but sir, under the affecting pressure Of
the moment, the much-desired exchange is i'm
practicable. Especially so, when we remember,
that Melville's inf4nt voice, never yet YVES
strung to harmony; and that could SYM kony,
ever melt in mis- throat, touched by wars icy
breath, it would freeze. He fatters himself
therefore, sir, that when he salutes your organs
with an unaccustomed screech, you will bear
with the chilly grating sound, and fondly hope
| that the pacific Muse again may string her Tyre.
| Prom history, and the tradition OF our ia
TIERS sir, learn, there was once an cventfgl e.
| pooh called the RevoLutiOn-a period "that
tried mems souls" This state Of affairs with
| enthusiastically termed the Revolution un-
derstand, originated from British oppression and
terminated in 4,neyicas freedom. Adventurous
Emigrants, partly at their own riSque, partly at
| the expense and under the protection of the
English Govn't having made settlements on the
| halyon and shores ofColumbia, were formed into
colonies, affiliated to c. Britain, as fkei,
| growing wealth and political importance be
came objects of ambition Their physical en-
! ergics were repressed and ground down by
taxation, and those manly principles, which
| people neglected, untrammelled ard cast uPen
| natures wide common, are sure to acquire, I'M
| der the plastic beams of spontaneous science,
| were at least vilhhed (if not destroyed) by the
| Espionage and oppression OF petty. grovelling
| tyrants sent over to fasten our young Eagle, ere
he should take his towering fight and regain
| his native eyry.. Our venerable Bird of Jevc
notwithstanding the violent efforts OF despotism
still struggled, until at k9Sf he reRt the brittle
! chord, and rose on his strong and manly PM
ons to his celestial mansion.
| Through eight years. Of cruel, bloody war
our great ancestors-the illustrious spirits o.
rs, toiled and bled. But their cause was glo
rious, their means, sufficient, their success com
pletc. The sanguinary war eventuated in the
establishment of American Indepcndencc.--Thc
fetes of the revolutionary heroes, and the prai
ses Of our Washingtons and Franklins, my in
FAINT tongue was taught to lisp, ere yet my urtri
ed mind had learned to understand theD glori
Gus deeds.-The war-worn veteran, who baC
grown grey in his conntry's service-and whose
| silvery locks seemed poisoning for the grave
from the earliest childhood | was taught {,
greet with filial, revcrential homage-Andw why
My present ,immunitcs, rights, and liberte.
afford answer, which my youthful fanc,
could never guess / find myself IN day .
grace and gICry-surouadc with the choic,
blessings ofHeaven, iiTadiatcd with the beans
OF neis h5owise science whose saiutary effect
| feel, though / call, not single ray my owl
--basking III the sunshine OF peace, whose ct
fulgcnt smiles Danish the clouds of sorrow, anC
infuse c!eerfuiness and bliss into my grateful
heart Thanks 20 yoU. We venerable names o
70 .-Ye tu;Cary SFiri's, ye Guardian Angel
OF my Country EierUai praise and alteration
, 20 the bcnignsn, God Of my Fathers But VIII
this heartfelt homage !-Ah! Sacred God
while British domination sulii,d this happ
land, and harpy-iOotcG rspinc invaded the swee
religion Of tie endcaring hre-neartb, and laugh
tho uaoHendiHg embryo IN weep, the ilnocen
prattler, tho fond Mother and uIc delighted r.
thcT 10 grove and pine and staryc, the tongu
! Of The EcClesiastic never vibrated, but TO on
'ounce the awful forckodings Of wrath, Or tn
dread approach Of vengeance. Conscience whis
pcrcd nougir, but zoe the press tened will
royal bdrbarty and alas the notes OF th'
plcbcan's tongue, were the misgiving5 ftOrtui
cd flncy, or ,hc sad and gloomy presages Q
fastening want aud 7niscry. NDty, how altci
cd is our happy lot The peaceful domicil
never breads q visitation--it IS Uic sacred csJ
4 lum OF innocence and case The pulpit ncvc
! ovcrhOws Win vengeance: Conscience meets
/, no fell harbingcrs Of voc The busy tonwu
Z breads no gags Gle press is unObscufed b
clouds, now shines in brilliant majesty, disps
sing Tie thick fnists Of superstition, bigOtty ~
error and irradiating the brow Of fair trul
and heaven born justice ;---AH is 6cs--iut
this universal emancipation this unbounde
freedom never TO be Interrupted Yes, free
dom ST IL rcigns, and will hope, frerey reign
5ut her Sister Goddess, 7yc5ggifi, vii. ofc
be 3is.EbCd. Tbe demons ~hs es,ayed 70 q