Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-07-06
GRAFTON.


Once more, fcliow-ciiizens, we are
assembled to commemorate the 9ra OF
our independence, and to offer up our
accustomc tribute OF grateful respectto
the me ,nory OF its authors. Were it
possihlc lha, any other inducements,
than such as flow from patriotism and
the native principles Of the human heart,
could be requisite to prompt US to this
sratuitous display of national feeling,
they might readily be found in the usa.
ges of the world. Almost all nations
before US have selected some particular
epoch in their hist .rles. 10 which, amid
evers variety of fortune, thcymlght recur
with feelings ii gratitude and pleasure
which in the hour Of prosperity they
might contemplate as the cause Of their
elevation-and 10 which, IN days OF adj
,ersily, they might resort Tor stimulus
to honorable sentiments aad magnani-
nous exer.ion. So general indeed has
been the custom, and SO important has
il been considered in its effects. that
those nations, whose legends have fur
nished them with no incident Of marx
cd and peculiar interest, wuose histories
nave presented them with but one un-
varied course Of Donotonaas events,
have seldom failed t@ resort to the aids
of hc,ion. and the embellishments ri
fancy, 70 supply the deficiency Of his'o!
rical truths --Spch-,hanks TO the
generous exertioas of our ancestors!
thanks to he goodness 81 an ali bounti-
ful Providence such is not our condl-
ton. We, fellow citizens, are assem-
bled TO commemorate apcriod that needs
not the coiorings of fancy, the deiusIons
Of memory, nor the wild ex,raSagsncics
OF legendary lore to en,itie it TO our at.
tention. It's principal events are deep
ly engraven on the hearts ct our fathers
its effects are still visible on the face
of our CoGntry--and even in the assem-
bly,, which have the honor to address,
there will be found many who were
largely participators in It's tolls, Its dahl
gers, and It's honors.
Our theme IS indeed sublime! who
can look back TO the period we have Sc
lecled for Gel bratiop; who can contem-
plate the glorious efforts OF our Iorefa.
theirs for the establishment OF an empire;
or who can witness their successful
struggles, against the storms OF adverse
fortune, without being lost tor u moment
in wonder and admiration subjects like
these need not the aids OF ora,ory; the
lDca IN q utlI
accu stoned inauenco-and If our hearts
are warned, our feelings interested, or
our enthusiasm awakened, It's by the
mighty theme and not the humble ora
tor. To YOU. nv audience, the subject
of the SAY, though abounding in interest
TO Americans in general, presents itself
undcc peculiar and (if posslble) dou-
bly, interesting aspect. 1t not emily re-
minds you in common with your coun'
trymen, oil the glorious events which
led to your exaltation among the pow
ers oftae sarth tut entwinsd with these
1t recalls to your remembrance the un-
paraleled virtues OF him, whom IN private
no less than in public lie, you IN PaTti-
cular had long been accustomed to con-
template, admire, and love- yes, fellow
citizens, it was you who gave 10 your
country its guardian angel, and to the
world pertec, Hero. Washington va"
your friend and neig hbor-and while the
natiun at large shared the bene hts oil his
-pu6nc excrtions you were the special
obiecrs of his private msqifcence-the
Chosen children OF his affection. Ihe
morning of his life was devoted to his
country, but the mixer radiance OF his
setting sun beamed almost exelu lively
on YOU. How often, in the evening OF
his DAYS. when relieved from the Cares
and perplexitlcs of office, have you seen
the sIern features Of his manly couDte-
nance, lighted up by the expressive
smile OF friendship How often IN the
circles OF his more intimate associates
has the voice of wisdom been heard to
flow f ON his lips, and to mingie Its ma
iestic sounds with the gentle murmur-
Ines of social feeling But above all,
how of,en have the eyes OF large pre-
portion of this very audience been turn
ed with admiration towards the venera-
bic nero, as he sunk in pious devotion at
the altar OF bis God
On /. my friends. were my powers
proportioned TO my zeal were language
adequate To the full communication OF
,he plen,eous overHowings oflmy heart,
would present you with living
image" of this sublime spectacle
would transport you in imagination to
those happier days. when you oeheid
among yourselves the sacrsd depository
OF na,ion's glory, and mingled IN the
friesd;y circle, and at the social board,
with the first Of men and the greatest o.
heroes. Blu, conscious inability ioroids
me to proceed; and tor6car, lest my
feeble efforts should chill the warmer