Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-07-08

er confidence.
In the present posture of our affairs, we are
! naturally led TO the consideration of that peri
cd in the history of our country, when re-
peated insults and injuries called forth the first
feelAgs and energies Of the American people.
and produced that able exposition of their
rights, and their determination to support them
by an appealto arms-which am commits
stoned to laybefore you upon the present oc-
casion. AS by frequent recurrence to FIRST
principles, the spirit of a government is best
Preserved-So by the frequent contemplation
of those great events which have given honor
to their countryside spirit Of heohle is most
likely to be kept alive.
Mr.. Simms then read the Declaration of
independence, which being concluded, after a
short interval filled up by music, Mr.. S again
rose, and introduced Washington's Valedictory
Address with the following remarks
The Declaration Of independence which we
have Just, read, although admirable for the
manly spirit which it breathes, and venerable
in our eyes as the first solemn act by which,
as united people. we renounced all allegiance
to foreign power, was nevertheless but the
ea7tre8Siom of the sense and will Of the peo-
pie. The rights for which it contended were
yet to be established; the wrongs of which it
complained were yet to be redressed. The
practicability of an infant people, without
funds and without discipline, obtaining per-
mancnt triumph over veteran army injured
to the dangers and discipline of war, and pro-
vided with every thing necessary to give life
to their hopes and vigor to their operations.
remained to be demonstrated. The force of
the nation was to be concentrated, and it's ener-
gles directed. To organize and to direct this
iorce-to animate an inexperienced soldiery
under the most trying difficulties and lepre-
cations--and to terminate the unequal contest
in the establishment Of our independence, was
the task of Washington. On him in a great
measure depended the fate of America, and
on his hrmness, Skill and virtue she reIicd
with entire confidence. How well he merited
that confidence, let the blessings we this ,ay
enjoy, declare How dear TO the American
bosom the recollection Of his virtues and bis
Seryices-let the emotions that swell, as we
pronounce his name, bear testimony!
We have no longer the aid Of his counsel
in the cabinet, or of his presence in the field
but we have the Invaluable legacy of his wis
dom and experience bequeathed to US at a
time and under circumstances which add
much to its intrinsic worth The best evil
dence that we can give of our gratitude for
his services, will be found in the respect
which we shew to his principles and advice.
Having finished the great work committed
to his charge-hsving achieved the independ-
ence of his country by his military talents,
and given tone and energy to the operations
of Its government by his political wisdom
this truly great man, after announcing in the
following address his determination to with
draw from pubic life, voluntarily resigned the
powers with which the unanimous voice of
his fellow citizens had invested him, and re-
turned to the humble walk of private life
there in the free indulgence of bis first
wishes, and in the exercise of all those vir-
tues, which, while they brighten the human
character, diffuse warmth and cheerfulness on
all around it--he prepared to meet that sum-
mons which was to terminate bis course Oil
earth That c11poroODc hoo Nor, o;,ap II he