Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-08-08


Pronounced before the Municipal Au-
thorifies Of Boston, July 4.
6 The lofty virtues Of your ancestors
rise like the brilliant SUBMITS ofyour
as your Age proceeds. Like
these Their foundations we're lain in secret.
In the .recesses of domestic retirement
they instructed their .oMpriDgs of hDSi-
dence, traced their being. preservation
and enjoyments to kis throne. and fixed
an habituaf consciousness of dependence,
The interesting relation of parent and
protectors was associated with this and
each felt Fan interest in the. whole Of
their community as men bers 81 the same
family. Public spirit could not fail to
unite such apeople, when danger lower.
ed Oh their land. The evils Of intofe-
rance had finally given them the spirit Of
moderation. The priyatioDs Of the vii.
derness in the cause of religion, had
taught them patience in suffering their
wonderful preservation and success had
filed them with habitual confidence, that
while the principles of justice and a ia
miliar sense Of duty, should continue to
guide their conduct, all perplexity and
danger would issue in their happiness
An early reference to these principles
and the obligations they impose, imb lded
every mind with just conception. OF the
rights Of man, and established manners
breathing a manly respect to the feelings
of equals, and profound difference Tor
age and superior wisdom. Hense a spi'
rit of subordination supplied the place
of GOV ernment, and precladed the posi-.
bility Of anarchy, even when government
was dissolved 10, revolution. Such
prompt feelings Of public spirit, such re.
fined principles Of JUSTICE and right,
could not be Indifferent to the wrongs Of
any individual. Oppiassion kindled at
once common indignation. The fiu.
gality & simple manners of the times,
could interpose no temporising policy.
No calculations Of interest or fear Of loss
for moment rested the course OF their
zeal. No earthly consideration could
restrain it. And when at last, the war
burst upon our hills, the spirit Of your fa-
theirs spread with the rapidity Of tighten
ing, through the land I"
/" Through what various accidents,
tolls and perils they have achieved the Ii
beration of your country, and established
its independence, many who now fill your
posts Of honor and most respectable sta
tons in private life, have too eloquentIy
depicted from this place, to leave a sim
gle touch to be added. The views
which they have presented to their adj
miring townsnen, Of the wisdom, public
spirit and yalorof the statesmen & warri-
ors who conducted the revolution, will
never be indifferent to BostOnians, and
are too fresh in recollection now, to
need an exihitien..a 80
Wisely was 1t ordered, by the We
ierable men, who. participated in those
mighty efforts, that the anniversary of
Independence should be hallowed by thc
recollection of the virtues, that produced
t. To your fathers, and to you. whom
lature gave to feel a deeper interest III
iour offspring, how dear is the wish, that
he feelings and principles which have
you with an extent OF happi
less, that the sun does not smile upon
elsewhere in his course, should be ira
nitfed with equal blessing to your chi
ken 1t is yours to transmit them. The
,arly Impressions they receive from mo
hers lips, of the high and sacred impor-
ance of truth, the necessity Of justice q
'onor, and tie gracefaIness Of generosity
md chastened courage viii prepare them
81 defenders OF their country, in the Sc
ATE OF the field: or to pursue respecta-
" the happielsv6cati of private lie.
It's thas eli may ll1fiise somewhat ofthe
.uri,fiy Of eur own into the character ofI
our nation" ;. !
g In aavertipg aorelsion,' as n means
Irrational character, it IS interesting to
bseiye, that religion, in every nation.
AS been CO eval with its origin and pros
Gritty. While the favor Of the gods was
eyoutly propitiate, among the antients,
heir national enthusiasm was wrought to
he highest pitch of personal sacrifice.
Their devotion gave them higher motives
han wealth or power their heroes as
tired to rank with gods, or be immortal
n the .culptufed marble. Among the
Greeks religion was degraded by attributs
'finconstancy & selfish passions among
he Romans it was exalted by ascrIption of
.vor to public virtue. Accordingly the
Srecian heroes are often seen arrayed
II arms against their own country the