Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-08-03
4 dollars per annum. /

ouS torrent OF desolation is rolling its awful
tide through the iand, and sweeping with
resistiess fury every thing that lays in its
course! MOI we must look for adversity /
But God forbid, that we should share in the
tate of Europe-rhe storm may yet blow o.
YER, without our experiencing many calami-
! ties.
some may object to war, because it NAV
have tendency to producean alliance with
| France; but this evil is over-balanced-W
are compelled by all that is sacred to de-
TEND our rights, which are dearer to us than
life itself II is not Ambition, holding out
prize, nor the desire of empty conquests.
that invites us to the field, and urges us to
battle. No! we raise the standard of lber-.
ty! We are to fight under the banners of
;'reedom-we are tie prove To our enemies.
that we respect those rights which have
been handed down to us by our ancestors.
and we are determined to defend and pro-
tect them while III our care, that we may
transmit them to future posterity, pure and
unpoluted.
Who can object to war which has this
for its object? Where are your patriots of
10; We living monuments of the glorious
victory which put an end to our misfortunes.
and gave us standing among nations -
has that patriotism which once animated
you, ceased Co glow in your breasts Do
your feelings no longer vibrate to those i'm
pulses, which impelled your ancestors into
you country's service, and which caused
you to fight with intrepidity, with ardor and.
with zeal Has the love Of freedom taken
Its flight from your bosoms and every
spark of courage left your perveless limbsa
No it cannot be Methinks | can behold
some among you, who would be willing, IL
necessity called, again to grasp the sword
and lily to your countr's assistance some.
whose feeble frame would be terminated at
the sound of the drum, and would march in
the field and oppose the enemy as before.
And should the youth be less ready to av
al their country's call; We, whosc veins
should be inhamed with heroic zeal. and
whose hearts should beat high with the
pulse OF patriotism and glory MOI AZ the
sacred call, you would fly with the unres-
trained impetucsity of youthful ardor, ever
eager to win the victory. You have every
motive that can stimulate you to the contest.
Remember, that those fair objects, whom
you now behold, are to share in the bles-
sing of that victory for which you are to
strive; and who, should you be unsuccessful,
must participate in The evils and mortifica~
tions OF defeat Let this consideration ims
part a lasting impulse TO your conduct in
war let 1t cause you to aspire to deeds of
| glory and honor; q nd let it animate Won
with SN the ze%l which can occupv q he
| ro's breast, and fill You With ali that CON-
| Germ, that the cause: IN which you have EN-.
| barked IS calculated to excite; let every pa,
/ triotic virtue be III lively exercise, cyer0
warlke passion be awakened, and everv
! feeling and motion of the soul be warmly in
| terested in your country's welfare Another
| consideration to the youthful warrior. is a
hope OF gaining the smile of appreciation
| from the mistress off his heart--that smile.
| which shall be mingled with the tear OF re-.
| joicing affection, !, nile he escapes that
frown, which would be source of greater
modification, than the loss even of victory
itself. What enjoyment is there for him
| who is neglected and despised by the fairesr
oi o~d,s Creation! Is 1t not to gain their.
respect, esteem and love, that the enthusi-
astic hero Iushes through every danger and
difficulty, and fights with unremitting arclor.
the battles of his country? What are all
the empty titles of greatness and laurels to
deck the hero's head, without the fair maid.
! at whose feet he could lay them. in token
| OF alteration, and who could share in the.
honors which he had acquired by his va
lor!
Think not, my fair hearers, that am of
| feripg incense OF flattery and bestOwing emp
ty compliments upon you. Your Importance
in political point of view, cannot be too
highly rated; and particularly, ye matruns Of
the day, in whose care the flower OF the ma
| ton is reared to perfection did not the Spar
tan women, by early chcrishing the love Of
glory IN the breast Of the youth, Contribute
to form some of the brightest traits in the
national character How often did they
urge them by the warmest language to the
Fight, and eXhorted them to act Courageous
! ly while in the field of battle and to die RAJ
Their than to be overcome by the enemy.-s
Maternal tenderness seem to have been LOSE
in the glow of patriotism, indignation and re-
sentiment against their country's foe /; seem
to have occupied the place of that fearful
and anxious sOlicitude which so often agi-
tates the mothers busom, while under the
, apprehension of danger Threatening the
safety of their offspring. Wien they were
told that their sons were slain, instead Of
grieving, they Observation-Disclosures the ma
irons of ourday be not az administrations those
of ancient times, yet / hope they are not less
sincere.--But let us return to the youtn-In
addition to the motives which have been
mentioned. which ought tn FIRE them with
valoT, there is another highly stimulating to
the mind. You are to look forward with a
pleasing anticipation to the hour that gives
success 70 our arms, and well deserved
plaudit TO the achievements Of military bra4
very--when you shall lay the sword Of tri
unph at the feet of your veteran father who
/ will hail you on your return as the defender
OF your cOuntry's rights, and as the worth,-
offspring Of the hero Of '76. While at tic
same tine you snail catch the more animal,
ing smile Of maternal appreciation, and be-
hold the tear OF gladness trickliug from the
eye that beams with love. Let me cnncl,,,, :
by exhorting you, my fellow-citizens. ~ 10.
united on the subject of the present ,yav-
/ ct ia ali be linked torr.t1,,. = -