Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-08-20
DEFENcE or NEw.YoRK.
NKW-HtNH, august II.
PUBLIC MEE4fNfS ~: Z

= = -.
naiis an immense coucourse of citizens. Col
Henry Rutgers was urianimously called TO
the Chair. and Oliver WO,coctt;. ESQ., aps
pointed secretary They took their stations
IN the centre balcony. Coionei.V vilet, STAN
ding. near the chairman, and the Aag of the
nation waving over his head, delivered an
address to his fellow citizens, well ca,sula>
ted to inspire animation and courage.
He began by asking the indulgence Of his
fellow Citizens for the talk of an old man,
he then proceeded:
|. Three score and ten years have brought
with them some bodily infrmities-- it
been otherwise, and that tissstrenglh of boz
dy had remained as uinmpared as my love
for my country, and the spirit that still ani>
ss>sls roe, .raa would not, my trends, naye
seen nae here this I az ] should have Seen
amongst that glorious band, that, on tie wa.
tiers OF Erie and Ontario, have achieved SO
moch fame and lasting glory for their coun-
try. - tre,es
J Allie of - years has afforded me op-
portunities of seeing many great and surpri
! sing changes ~.
|. Fifty eight years are now passed since
was a wi;nessofpress gangs traversing these
streets, aud dragging men from their
houses on board of ships of war What
contrast between that time and this! Let
thanking that kind providence which deliv-
cred us from such oppressive dsmination, EN-
ploy their whole power to weaken and sub.
vert government made by ourselves and
for ourselves--the fruit of our blood and
toll What spirit is this, that, in the pre-.
sent crisis of our country, can lead to mea-
sures so disgracefuts Shall we abuse and
Witty those men we have placed at the head
OF our affairs, because they do rot act itisr
as we are pleased to say they shoaId ? Are
we, for that reason, to refuse compliance
with the laws of our country! No--my fell.
low citizens for it is just stated in the ad.
! dress of the Common council, thst we are
| not, in the present situation of our country,
TO enquire into the wisdom of the measures
(which resulted IN the declaration of this
war. It's fact, that we are at war; and
THAT that war has been undertaken agreea
bly, to the constitutions of our coaatry. Every
imam bound to support the constitution Of The
United States, is, therefore, 5ound 10 sup>
port the war--becsase 1t is q constitutional
bacs, and sucn "a t,ie law OF the land. Bot.
had Ipower to detail aud Won pa fence 10
hear. what have known and observed of
the nsushty, crGel aud gasconasiing nation
ltiat makes war against uss your feelings
| you'd ontstripmy words, and anticipate the
voice and commands Of authority. The
t.:.rp- yss .eryars ssv sr,' e. -. .s.,-
alone, nor proceeding from the personal
warmth Of nay individual character. Such
were the sentiments of men as great as this
or any nation can bsast of-Washington &
Frankiin. DIR. Franklin deli cred ms opin.
ion In his correspondence with lord Howe;
and these Of general Washington Ihad from
has own lp..
/ Forty years ago was at meeting of CT
II o o3~ Al La. x,t~..
clamation then was Join or die" The
nanimity of that day procured the repeal Of
some obnoxious laws--but the design OF en-
shaving US was not reiinquished. FRO p,
were stationed throughout the colonies to
carry the ncfarious intention int, execu,i H..
Many we're the broils between the CITIZEN
and the soldier for the spirit of the cirzens
was roused. and they viewed with just Ia.
digna'ion, the mercenary troops that were
to overthrow their liberties. They were
stung by the ingraltude of the nation to
| which they had yielded loyal Obedience, and
assisted in its wars wiyh ardor ard alaclit,,
hut had the enemy then Conquered US as We
| did them, how different Won have been on.
situation at this day. ReAecting on thu, &
seems 10 me almost credible that there
should be Americans that c uid espoui e the.
! cause of such An enemy. OF what stuff are
Il
such should be amongst the sons OF those
who fought your battles. my fellow citizens.
and won your freedom.
Il was IN the war OF the revolution ia
vorite toast-
May evefy citizen be soldier, aud e.
very soldier ciizen."
Our citizens must now again become sol.
diers, and those soldiers DC good cItizen,-
not parading soldiers, fe low citizsns, but
hghting soidiers---soidier willing and rea
dy to encounter the hardships and fatipue,
OF war. am not what have been but
such as am. wherever the enemy seek to
deal most destruction, THERE sou may look
Tor noe. And as to he mistaken idea, that
american mill ia are unequal to the Contest
with British regu srs. am living wines.
70 the Contrary. With militia have en-
countered them, have met them when
their numbers were double mi e ard
nave routed and pursued them. Yuu. my
fellow Citizens, it you viii, can do the sama
There IS no terror IN them iOr brave me1,
who dare look them in the face, aud ,ock
the oayonet with them. Let those WIN
"oeld dismay you by the terrors Of var,
rather reflect upon the part they nave had
IN encouraging your enemy and tho.gh
war, like pestileuce, ma have visited
nations ter their crimes, vet against this en-.
envy We have committed no oasnce We
bore with the cruelty, injustice and oppres,
sion OF that insolsnt nation, till 1t became. in.
srpportabe-
Instead, therefore. of eavilFing at the
mea' ures or operations of the var, lei US ra
rher unite to Danish envy, hatred and dis
cord, ifom amongst US, aud resolve, with ali |
our might, to resist that implscabls enc a )
who viii never respect Us tiiI we again com |
pei him 80 20 do.