The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1813-07-16
INDEPENDENCE.

county, Va.
The citizens assembled at II A. M. on
a spacious green, shaded with lofty oaks.
On motion, sol. L. Taylor was chosen
president, and S. A. Jackson secretary
The declaration of our independence was
then read, alter which the following short
address was delivered by S. A. Jackson.
Citizens Of .dmerica /!
Thirty. seven years have elapsed since
the fathers OF LIBERTY declared us free
and independent people and that all po-
htical connection between us and our OPP
Pressor was, and ought to be, totally dis
soiVcd-Ihat important day is gone, but
It's memory still lives and so long as our
citizens remain virtuous and duly appre-
clate the dignity OF human nature, so long
as they cherish the pure spark of that Hea-
Vcnly tlame which animated the fathers Of
cur independence, our brotherly union,
national dignity, and our unparalleled pros
perlty, its memory will be sacredly che
rishcd In their hearts--If oru happiness s,
pubic prosperity are the effects Of our in.
dependence, the day which gave it birth
should be held in the highest vcneration !;
and 1t merits, and will receive tribute of
respect from every heart susceptible OF
grateful emotions. Gratitude is a divine a.
tribute-If there be a single sensation, pc
culiar to the human mind, calculated to cali
forth, from the parent Of nature, smile of
appreciation, it must be that of this children,
when assembled 10 acknowledge their era
utudc for the blessings he confcrs Power.
full indeed, fellow citizens, mnst our mo-
tives be for rejoicing on his memorable
day. We have no less than to thank Hea-
tl> ,>I,-
with which mortals can be biest 81 mean
that OF FREEDoM-By no nation on earth
is this noble Inheritance possessed, but by
ours; and may VIC never forge, its value
the price we paid Tor it, nor re elect the ne
cessary means of retaining it. If we suf-
fer our imaginations to rove abroad, and
witness the scenes which have, for centu-
ries' with few Interruptions, agitated Eu-
rope, how soon are we saliated with dis
gust and with what inefIable delight do
we retrace our steps, and hasten to the bo-
som OF our happy republic. Here Heaven
born peace lights up smile on the counte-
nances, and eXhiirates the hearts of her
sons. There blood-stained oppression
deals out 10 his devoted slaves discomfort.
wrelchcdness and ruin. Here peace, ill
lately, waved her olive branch; and she is
yet courted with a desire bordering ON af
lection But in those unhappy regions she
has long been a stranger: there the De-
mon war rears his hellish crest, constantly
exhibiting TO his shuddering victims, the
most horrid scenes of wide spread devas-
tatIon Here the people are blest with a
government of their choice there the peo-
pie are cursed with governments, usurped
by grants, over whom they have no control!
1t is natural to ask, fellow citizens, whence
arises this difference in point of national
and individual prosr Gritty ? Is it not entire
ly owing to moral rect;tude of our political
institutions !? Had we king 10 rule over us,
should we have remained so lorg neutral
and prosperous nation Had our political
connection with G.. Britain continued TO
this day, should we not have been conpell-
cd to assist her in those destructive wars,
which have increased her national debt to
nearly 1000 millions pound sterling, and
which arc hurrying her 10 destruction Had
we at the close OF our revolutionary strug-
gle, adopted asystem of government SINH
lar TO that stupendous iabrick of human
WISDOM" under which Britain has so long
groaned would there not have existed a
union OF sympathizing sentiment between
our monarch and that of some belligercnt
of Europe And does not union of SEN
timent beget union Of interest? Let US,
therefore, fellow citizens, cherish the most
ardent attachment to our political compact,
whose moral beauty, administered by the
wisdom of the people of our choice, SO long
preserved our prosperity from the Sc tolls
Of Europeon ambition, rivalship, interest,
humour and caprice"
R.,t IL Gee,,,c- rntxvifhctopJinor Our' lane oC
peace that lie, who rules the destinies of