Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-07-16
GRAFTON,
by MR.. JOSEPH j. MONROE.

MY Feikosu Cifrsegs,
Thirty eight years ago, the faithful Repre-
sentstives of this Nation, in Congress assem-
bied, declared that thenceforward. ttsese
! States are, and ofright ought to be, free ana
| safepenaent" 1t be!ongs 10 the land discover.
ca by the Immortal Columbus, to give bright
example to all the nations of the earth. who.
tnen, Immersed in darkness, submissiyely wore
| 'he chains OF bondage, and gr5aned under the
tYrannical yoke of an memorable despotism -
adopted Sons OF Liberty, our Fathers were res
ponsive 10 her voice, thus expressed by RESI-
p!endent constellation Of Sages They rose
in the morning of TIER strength, and under the
auspices OF the godiike Washington, plunged
INTO tile mighty contest. Without discipline
without arms-they nobly front an enemv skill
ed 10 all the arts ofhuman execution Long we
ought. and much we blcd. Our fields are dc.
selzied--Our Cities wrapt in hames-eur GAL
liant spirits dread not the scorchine n. ats of he
south, and shoeless they dye with their blood
the ice o. the north. These are the mel from
v'ioseioins we sprung $" whose history is read
~ Ma IONS eyes-whose po:np of hcraIdry''
10 ioiao IN their matchless deeds. Are You
no. proud OF your origin Accused be In.
men WHO would moi boast of such a parentape.
aud Who would not emulate actions tba, elevate
to gioiy and bcurdlrss fame
lwiinot rcpress your rising joy. or harrow
your feelings, By pointing to the grass which
waves 10 the zephyr that fans the toinh: Of o,,r
Warren aud OF our Mercer. will nor poison
this feast of reason and flow OF soul bv rev
counting The exploits OF the heayen.born Mont
Gonhery, who, adorned with every grace and
virtue that can dignity our nature, few from
ne arms OF love and beauty to the cold en-
braces OF death, within the walls of Quebec
Nor viii i record the prnwess of Woodford
or Nelson. ave not eioquence adequate 10
The Inish.y theme. But future historians shall
sPring up, to eternzc, in bold and animated
strnns, the fame of these il,dstrious worthless.
md that OF thousshds who smiled in the ago.
nies of death. at the fair prospect of our politi
calredem?tion. Bards, too, slisiI arise, who in
the fspturous melo5y Of sopg, shall make our
hearts beat aid opr eyes weep over the Had of
our woes, and the heToc achievements of our
valiant ancestors. Yes, some future Thucv.
dides, or Hume. filed with historic yiGor. shall
paint in un'sding .coiors, the yalorous acts, the
mighty deeds, Of these Distinguished patriots
Some Homer or some native Ossisn. shall at this
our feast Of shelis. give IN thoughts that glow.
and words that beam Immortality so the Mes
tors and Fmgs's that fought and died in the
Ei07Ious cause Of American freedom. he il nv
nufnbie fot, 10 cali your attention to the pass
irs scerss IN which the American honor and the
Ainericsu nsrpiness are cepiy interested
Alter having fought and conquered, Peace
descended, ike an angel from Heaven, with
.f''ISit - t' ncf efsii' res rLiberty, who had
led from the Earth, when Rorxe .eil under the
sword of the Barbarian, visited our western
he Bisphsre, and three millions % people. pros-
tate or lie earth, hail her approach, with songs
ostrsPspoFi, OF eStaey and JOY "A lhoussnd Al.
tsrs bisze TO the Goddess. Under Washington
her favnrlte votaFv, we form for ours ives n
wiss, happy AID efficient government We cul.
tiystc the sris of Peace Agricoit,rre enamel.
our fertile fields a luxqriant verdure covers
our seads ;--Cur Canvass whiteDs tho Ocean
Our unriyailrd prosperity, aud rapidly cncreas.
ing population, reader Us at once the admira
tion aud envy Of the world. France, grooming
oader Dass ofdespotisp, bursts her chains.
aud opens long vista sometimes irradia,ed
with glory, at others opaque with crimes and
with horror, Britain, fearful that the contao;
on would reach her shores. enters upon the
bloody srens with her. In this ssnguinary con.
bIct, boih nations trampie on our National
RRhts we heap remonstrance upon renon-
STRANGE cut, With Britain, all our efforts are in
vain She coutiEued to sweep our commerce
from the Ocean, AMI 20 impress our sca,nen.--
AZ length, a'ser aggression upon aggression.
Pebon on Ossa. che temple OF janus ia aea;n
thrown pfn--our swords are unshcathed. and
we appeal 10 arms, Is there one among us, so
lost 20 hmericsnfecIings, so utterly denational.
Ized, IS not TO APPROVE oftSe caicined wisdom
o. the purely vTtuous character who now pre-.
sIdes. and the patriot band who then surround.
ca biWl am no etIlogist, and scorn the janS
guage OF adula.ioni but will say, that when