Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-08-03


You'll get scratch somewhere, not easily eur'd
Chorus.--Thcn let them come on boys, &c
FOR IRE YIRGINIA ARGUS.
IN GRAFTON delivered at CHARLoq9E
CoURT House. on The FOURTHoC JU
EY, by ISAAC READ, Junior.
FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS,
We are assembled together this day, for
he laudable purpose of celebrating the an
piversary of American independence. 1t is
unnecessary for me TO enter into cold deduc-
tons of reason to shew the propriety ofsuch
Il meeting, when we all must lei it to be ain
indis 1ensible act of duty, well as dis
tinguished privilege. As long as the love of
freedom spreads its animating and ditfiusive
fires in the American breast, mis- day will be
hailed with rapture, delight and exaltation,
by every friend of his country. Methinks
can see the numerous bands of patriots be-
fore the hour arrives, standing on the tiptoe
of expectation ready t. hal and welcome its
return. The war-worn veteran REM mDers,
with pleasing emotions, the tolls, ne dan
gers, the difficulties through which nc fought
and struggled, during the long and blo,4dy
conflict with the enemy. A lively and siow
ing picture of the many scenes through wnich
he past, is reproduced in his mind, ana mis-
his soul with a calm and pleasing delight.
He almost thinks he hears the distant shout
of victorious armies, and secs the march OF
flaming warriors under the banuers ut free
dom. The immortal Washington is figured
to his imagination, riding foremost in the
ranks, anmating his countrymen Gy his ex-
ample, and leading them on by his persua-
sive eioquence to glory and 70 conquest. Al
this recollection his heart expands with gra-
titude and love, and he feels emotions which
cannot be uttered. Permit me to dwell for
a moment upon those scenes which cxcites
such mingled emotions in the patriot breast
those eventual scenes, which. terminated
IN the establishment of those rights and pm
vileges which we now enjoy, and which are
priced sodearly byevery true Aaie, can
scenes which have filed nations yith won
der, and which have Caused az Eisiled
world TO admire the firmness, the 2 Itude,
the bravery, which was eyinced by she A
meriCans, in the glorious cause OF freedom
Let me call to your r collection thai masi
important period of our national existence,
when we nursted the letters of bondage,
when we broke from the accused embraces
of despotsm, and boldly declared ourselves
a free and independent nation Previous To
tins great and astonishing era, long had tie
clouds of oppression oversadowe ed our land,
! and slavery had stretched her sable wings
! abroad-ths love of liberty s!umbered in e.
| very breast-the faint voice OF freedom
crying from rhe dust, had not as yet reach
| ed our cars-a deep and solemn gloom rest
! ed on every scene-It was the gloom of
! wretchedness and misery: EEcircied an the
| chains of bondage, we had injured ali the
/ evils, and suffered AL the calamtics which
could flow from our degraded and misera-
BILE coudition-liDerty could then find no as
| YUM among us. Methinks l can see the
| perSecuted genius wandering up aud down
the solitary wales, and Weeping over desert
ed shores! II was then that tyranny bound
| as in his iron grasp, and debarred US from
those blessings winch Constitute the chief
happiness of nations; and without which the
sun of prosperity loses ms wealth
becomes curse-peace loses its celestial
smile, and becomes a tedious and tiresome
,isitant.
| But the time comes when tyranny and OPP
preston will cease, and when freedom and
Independence will ind joyful refuge in tie
bosom of our country. Our brave forefathers
aroused by sense ofthe insults and inju-
ries which they had sustained from peril
dious nation, al length awakened by the cries
of prosecuted freedom, and at the same
Ilibt VI u Si'IlOuS VIC
tory, which would place them beyond the
reach OF oppression, and fix them on the
immovable rock of independence, we behold
them with one accord make the solemn re-
solve to shake olfthe accused chains, and &c
live free people. The solemn declaration
went forth, armed with the Indignation oil
heaven, Supported by the energetic arm Of
bravery, and under the direction and execu-
ton of wisdom and genus--pOwers which
can brave the storms of impetuous war, and
set at defiance all the thunders of despotism
In vain did the proud and naughty Brlton.
dcnGunce their threats against us--in vair
did the impiOus mother suspend over us tht
rod Of correction. We laughed at her folly
and despiscd her authority. Though an in.
FAINT colony, we displayed the vigor of man
hood, and the experience and wisdom d
age.
When the numerous armies began TO mul.
tply on our shores, and seemed to threaten
the very existence of the nation when The
storms OF war was gathering, with fierce
aspcct On every hand; when every prospect
found us was gloomy, and every omer
! seemedto prcdiCC sudden destruction-L
with what undaunted courage did the few
but gallant SONS Of America go forth, in the
defence Of their country, unmoyed and ml.
apIahed by danger, regardless of their lives
or safety, opposing every hazard and diff
Guilty, and despisng every obstacle that a. e
between the and their independence. ne,
fought the battles OF freedom No barrier