The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-07-06
O R A tt O Y.
Friends g. Fello7y- Citizens,
By P. NJ NICHOLAS, Esquire.

Friends 81 Fellozy- Citizens,
We are assembled, TO celebrate the ara of
American independence, and surely, never
did there exist in the annals of mankind, an
event, which presented iusler theme for en-
logy, or of gratitude to that being, who con-
trouis the destinies of nations. Our ances-
tors driven by persecution from the old world,
disdaining It's ease, and It's Injuries, when only
to be purchased with slavery, sought Oh
these shores, that freedom without which
splendor and riches, worse than dcsp-
cable, and the possession OF which Could con-
vert the desert into paradise But though
our forefathers were eXilcs from opprcssion
yet the loyalty OF their characters, and tue
impressions of carly youth, left in their minds
seeds of attachment to the mother country,
which it only required ordinary parental feel
ing, and common justice on her part, to have
nN..ir e. -1 improved into permanent af-
lection. But Ii was ordered otherwise Hap
ply ior Us, the injustice of the mother coun-
try, pursued us 70 what were then the wilds
OF hntcr,c As soon as industry, under the
ausricicts l-anenCc OF that independence of
Character winch had brought orr ancestors
l.ncI, began 20 discover its effects in the
6-i.a.eo OF or country, England instead OF ex-
tending TO us the fostering care Of parental
kindness, viewed our increase in wealth and
prosperity, as only Interesting, as it afforded
new sources OF dgranCjaenent to her spirit of
monopoly, and Unsuitable rapacity. Her inju-
res were met on our part with the meckness
OF remolstrance, & the m.!dness Of argument,
but these were found impotent means of de
icnce against the consciousness of a fincied
superiority and an acknowledged power. APP.
Peais to her justice, and magnanimity were
MADE In VAN. They were appeals TO imagi-
nary cXistCnces. Bent Oil rivctGng on US the
chains OF oppression, forged bv pride and a
vtrice, and invented by Tyranny they disre-
garded the voice Of reason 5and the ties of
blood: they forced a separation which, with
the blessing Of God, and the continued virtue
@: my cOuutlyIncG, ! trust will be eternal
1 ne ntatuation OF the British ministry, lost
-aen monarchy, the brightest Jewel which
adorned Its crown. The energetic language
On the author OF the declaration Of indepen-
dence declared, I've must therefore acqui-
csce III the necessity which dcnOmces our SC
paration, and hold them as we hold the rest
OF mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends
History presents rev parallels Of contest
more glorious for It's principles or more
III tri1us iOT lis success, than that we cafli-
cd on Tor our liberty. if,hc annals of other
times, present an analogy Of glory, to the con
est III which we were engaged, it is that pc
rod ~ Ancient Greece, Oh which the patri-
OF delights to dwell, when the Grccia. re-
pubics, few In numbers, bit mighty i'm valor
'1Ids OF baIbarians under the banners of Da-
rIus and of XcITes, by whom their liberty
was assa!cd. What American who willread
Chis part OF history, and who will not dwell
with the mingled sentiments of tenderness and
delight, ON the self-dcyotion of Leonidas at
the strughts OF lhcrmopylU, on the conflicts
OF Marathon, of oalamis and Platra vino will
not feel a proud consciousness of what can be
effected by love Of liberty and our country,
and who viii not rest with confidence on
those virtues in our c0mtrymen, as the means
OF safety through I'll the dangers, 20 which
We may be exposed? But let us return to the
struo les OF our ancestors for their liberty
ard our own. Destitute at first OF allies,
feeble 10 our means ard our resources, but re-
lylng Oh the justice Of our cause, and that
heaven would cspousc The cause of Justice, We
bid defiance 20 one OF thc most powerful natl
ons on earth, Never was there a war marked
with more heroic virtues than those display
cd by our fathers. Regardless OF danger, of
Tue 'slonnaious fate, that awaited nss cces,lul
rrss"rce, regardless ofthc apparent fearful
l-s. ot tnc ODDS against thcm, uuauJIued by