Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-07-06

Independence, ar f5e reqaest of.tle "Socie.y of
tic -triends effhe ifcyotnsion,n a. the C,abifok
ni'iehnon4. % PHILIP MoR8oRNE WI.
CHoLIS, Esq
Friends and Fellow Citizens, ~
WE are assembled to celebrate the era of A !.
.merican Independence, and surely, never did
there exist, ~ the annals OF maiik md AN event
which presented JuStcr theme for cuIogy. or
of gratitude to that being who coutrouis the
dcstinles OF nations Gu .nccst5 0, driven by pey,
secution from the old world, distlaining its ease
and Its lux lrics, when only TO be purchased with
slavery, sought on these shores, that freedom.
without which splendor and riches, were worse
than oespicable, and the possession of which
could convert the desert iato paradise. But
though our iorefathers we're exiles from OBJ
preston, yet the loyalty OF their charac ter. and
the impressonsof early youth, left in their minds
seeds of attachment TO tie mother country
which itoriy required ordinary parental feeling,
ana common justice on her part, to have nur-
tured, and improved into permanent affection
But 1T was ordered otherwise. Happily for us.
the 'njus,lce of the mother country pursued us
to What were then the wilds of America As
soon as industry, under the suspicious infiu-
ence of that independence Of character, which
had brought our ancestors hither, began to dis.
cover its effects in the welfare of our country,
Il Is
ing care of parental kindness, viewed our in.
crease i'll wealth and prosperity, as only interest.
ing, as 1t afforded new sources of aggrandizeS
ment her spirit of monopoly, and unsuitable
rapacisy. Her Injuries were met on our part
withths NEE kness bfremonstrance and the Mill
ness Of argument, but these wore found imps.
tent ncaus of defence against the consciousness
OF iancied superiority, and an acknowledged
power. Appeals to her justice, and magnani-
nifty were made invain. Their were appeals to
imaginary existences. Bent OF rivctt ng on Us
the. chains OF oppression, forged by pride aud
aya ice, invented by tyranny, they dsregarcled
the yolce of reason aud the ties Of blood, they
forced a separation, whicii, With the blessing of
Cod, and the continued rIrtue of my country
men, trust will be eternal. The infatuation
ol the British ministry, lost their monarchy the
brightest jewels winch adorned its CROWN
IlIc energetic Language Of the author ofuie dc
ciaraiion OF independence, declared, we nust
therefore acquiesce an the nc cessity which de-
nouoccs our separation, and hold them as we
hold the .est OF mankind; enemies in W., i'll
peace, friends.
history presents few parallels offs contest
more glorious Tor It's principles, or more illus
trious Tor It's success, than that we carried on
Tor our liberty. ~ tie annals of other times,
presents an analogy Of glory, TO the contest in
which We were engaged, 1T is that period of
|nSApcLent Greece OH which the patriot delights
dwell, when the Grccisn republics, few IL,
Snbers, but mighty in yaior and immortal IN
ism, opposed tbe myriads of barbarians
he banners of Darius and Xerxes, by
heir liberty was assaied. What Amer,.
10 will read this part of history, who will
gell with mingled sentiments Vt tender
delight, on the self devotion of Leoni.
Straits OF Thermopylae, on the con-
Marathon, of SsiaHis aud Platiae, who
feel, proud consciousness, of what
effected by love of liberty and our
who will not rest With confidence on
irtues in our couNtrymeu, as the means OF
inougn AL the dangers, to which we
exPssed. But let US return to the strug-
our ancestors for their liberty and our
Destitute az first Of allies, feeble in our
and our resources. BIZ relying Oh tho