Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-07-05

King Of Great Britain is not rich e,,op7h TO do II
Many, many were the patriots of that day VIII,
stood firm to the sacred cause in the hour of trir
| and danger, " in the time that tried mems souls"
after bufeting the storm OF war for seven lone
years; after spending their little all in the service
! OF their country; poor, naked and forlorn, with
prospects dark and gloomy around, haggard po-
verify staring them in the face, with scarcely any
prospect of future honor and reward, still bleeding
Under Their wounds, they stack their arms quietly &
notwithstanding for their country and lber-
ty, they return to their homes, which had been
rendered desoiate by their absence and the raya-
ges OF war, and patiently wait the reward of their
fellow Citizens whom they had saved from slave
Try! Generous, brave heroes of '76 thy noble
deeds are recorded IN " Heavens Chancery,'' and
thy tombs embalmed by the tears of a grateful
people thy fame will flourish unwtheret amidst
. the wreck OF matter and the crush of worlds"
But it is an Herculean task to enumeratc all the
heroes and sages who fought and bled in the war
or the revolution; were monument erected to
to the memory OF every brave, soldier and distin-
g'iished citizen who fell in the glorious struggle
tor independence, our land would be covered with
tolnbs, and the resources our country exhaust
ed, III paying AUST tribute to the worthy dead
They need not, the monumental marble to sneak
their praise; their actions are enshrined in gorys
urn, and. the imperishabe grandeur of their
achievements viii flourish when granite and brass
lie Wondering into dust 90.
Let us she'd tear DER the green sod where
bravery is inferred; let US swear upon their con
secrated graves that we will initiate their exam
pie, aud hasten from the sacred ground where
patriots sleep in peace and happiness ia.
scarcely have We departed from the tonbs of
the dead and wept in the sincerity OF grief ut the
iecoilecuon OF Their numerous sufierings, when
we are about to give vent to our feelings for the
Liberty and happiness we now enjoy, and To return
thanks TO Heaven for the blessings of a second
peace, achieved by the sons of those heroes who
fought al Lexington, Bunker-IIill, Trenton York.
Town, &c than the natural flow ofour spirits have
been arrested, and our fond hopes in the soldiers
OF the last war somewhat Disappointed Whist have
sad Heel as 1.-THE whole torrent of publ C in
dignaton is turned upon me, and as If had IN
suited The generous feelings of grateful people
Let your passions be cooled by reason, and reject
that my heart, too, beats strong with American
blood Hove and venerate the heroes of T,ppe-
canoe, Lewiston, Fort George, Craney Island.
lie Spartan band at Hampton, the conouerofs on
the plans OF Bridgewater and Chippewa, the tri-
umphant defenders of Plattsburg and Baltimore
The hero OF New-Orleans and his brave citizen SOL
dIers every individual who bore arms against
me late enemy has place in my bosom; but still
with every patriot the love of country ought to be
the predominant passion; and while he sees, adj
mTes and extols, the patriotism and bravery OF
those meritorious officers and soldiers who have
returned from the late contest, crowned with
wreaths OF glory, and met by The Just benedictions
OF freemen; ret, say if any part of their conduct
be olameable, he Can censure it. and though h 3
eyes, Tor q moment, be dazzed by the brilljancy
Oh thelr deeds, yet when the first burst of an
pieuse has passed away, lie may enquire into the
OBJECT OF their conduct, and without incurrinr
tne iro"hS CT his fellow citizens, he may be per-
united to ask the officers Of the late United States'
army what As the intention of the socieues form
ing and the addresses sent through the country ?
SIT To STIR up discomfort a,1ong the ambitious ?
| IL cannot be; they are Americans, and too proud
| OF our present happy form OF government to wish
| change Is 1t to ask pension from the coun-
| try No; they would despise the idea; they are
American officers they are too noble to ask a
favour even from the country they have saved by
their valor. What then be the object of this
association? 1t is dangerous, believe me fellow
citizens; all societies which create distinction
arc dangerous 10 the liberties of a Republic
Under whatever specous pfetext it may be form
ed, and however vrtuous be the man selected 10
preside over It's meetings, still it is dangerous,
and ought 10 be discountennced; it initiates
against your country's welfare, and therefore il
ought not to be established Will the compani-
ons IN honor and glory of Pike, Brown, Scott,
jackson, and whole host Of worthless, cloud their
hard earned fame and blast those laurels which
bloom upon their brows by one imprudent act
No. never; it is impossible; they have already
gwen ample testimony that every other conside-
ration had been swallowed up in the love of coun-
try; they have returned from the tough tug of
war, not TO distract, but to smooth the paths of
peace and to prove to an adInm.ng world that
whatever was great or glorious in Greece or Rome
mas been improved and enlarged in the happy re-
gions OF America MUTIUS.
---< ~ 51------