Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-09-18

Hide, hide my country, thy diminished
head. Thou, an empire of laws, and yet
this monstrous outrage, within thy bosom -
Thou, the seat of justice, and yet the asylum
OF Justice, profaned with innocent blood -
The weeping genius OF my country, seeks to
draw a veil before the dreadful scene, but an
higher Power commands, that no veil shall
screen this work Of Darkness from tho Light
OF Truths
The MURDER Of PsIsoEEss Why tbs
abhorrent to Nature-My soul sickens at the
thought. Sure such hideous sin was once 10.
reign to the American character - say We
Grey-headed Men, Veterans Of Liberty, and
Fathers Of my Country, 0hea was the time,
during our arduous struggle, that the SOLDIER
OF Freedom stained bis lauiels With his Prison
er.s Blood While %storming the redoubts at
YORKTOWN, the cry of the soldiers was, " Ne.
aeenl5er Mem London yet, no sooner had the
foe submitted, than Mercy, DIVINE MERCY,
sat triumphant on my country's colors-Aye,
my Friends, HAMILTON and LAuRENs com
manded theni
The MURDER of P~aIsoyERs tlt-Even san
culinary France now covers 10 our superior
genius in iniquity. She is no longer supreme
in sin. If we contemplate the tremendous
scene Of her revolution, they appear but as
Christmas Gambols to this iIellish Tragedy,
Tor the state OF Society is ID decidedly different.
THERE the Tiger had long been confined with
in the bars of oppression-For centuries had
he gnawed his CALLING chain, and thirsted for
the blood OF his oppressors but HERE, In the
mild Land of Liberty, in the wise and good
government, whose laws provide for the pun
ishnent OF crimes, great indeed must be that
injury which requires an extra vengeance
The MURDER Of PRISONERS Ills true,
Napoleon, the chosen monster of crime, first
set this horfid example at Jafla but, even
under his authority, the poor victims, met a
speedy and merciful death l-The battalion,
which was drawn up against them, soon put
a period to their sutferings, by an immediate
passport to eternity!
The MuRDER OF PRIsoNERs!!l-When, e
ven when the Indian Savage IA prisoner takes,
if he promises him protection, the poor cap
tive is safe-Nay, 60 furtiier-L Look to the
Arab Robber OF the Desert. When he meets
the wandering PILGRIM in the sands, If he con
ducts him within his Tent, the Robbcr will
die at lis door in defence Of his guest Such
are the examples of Mercy, Fidelity and iio
nor, which adorn even the savage lie and
Vet, my countrymen, it has been LETT to the
enlightened Republic of America, to shew
more horrit examples of cruelty, than ever
GlSAilt&ul9il6u Vic iIlQbASlLlOn oi ZIG AsdCh'
Let Us attend the venerable LlNGAN IN
the last moments Of his llGe.-When he found
the inevitable fate which awaited him, that
fortitude which had distinguished the gallant
veteran in the diretul fields OF The revolution,
while lighting for the liberties of his country,
did not desert him in the closing hour Of hio
life. And yet, sure he thought, that if Anne
ricans were his foes, the sight of his venera-
Bile figure, bent with age, must touch their
hearts All, LlNGANl thou had'st indeed
survived thy countrys better days. There
was a time, when thy venerable presence
would have arrested the falling dagger, had
it been grasped by an dmerican hand! What
did | say? Sure there udS a time, when a
thousand sabres would have CLEANED, to de
fend the grey head of an aged Soldier, sink
ing at the feet Of an Assassin!!! Alas those
days are gone!-The glory of my country
hath sunk into the grave of her Chief!
Attend the closing scene, The old man
falls beneath their blows yet feebly raising
his wounded head, on which threescore win
ters had shed their SHOWS, he appeals to his
&urderers-" Spare the old man, whose years
are few to live! Spare the Father, whose Or
phans will want Spare the Old Soldier,
whose faithful services, and whose hard suf-
terings have earned his country's liberties !
Spare llr'-ilere. as if it we're necessary 20
cap the climax of horror, to render the catss-
trophe of Hell compleat-know, Americans,
that JAMES LINGAN, the Soldier Of your
WASHINGTON, the Patriot, the Hero, and
the Friend the man of charity VINO felt for
others woes the noble example to youth ::
the man Of virtue, religion and honor died,
died under the appellation OF a Tory!
AIe there men in this Assembly who can
feel Now let Them feel
Oh, MARYLAND! Would that the waters of
thy Chesa peake could wash this foul stain
from thy character oh, MAINLAND! Would
that the Recording Angel, who carries thy
Black Deed to Heavens Chancery on high,
could drop a Tear upon it, and blot it out for