Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1817-04-02
IORATION.


dwell upon the remembrance Of thei
heroes. II has been their custom il
every age to celebrate the great mel
who have rescued the state from op
preston, or added to its renown b.
the brilliancy of their achievements
In turning over the rolls of fame
thus inscribed by peoples gratitude
how many Gifts pages do we not fin'
crowded with the names of warriors
who have sacrificed the rights of hui
manity to ambition. and have erected
the monuments Of their greatness up
on the plains dssolated by their vic.
tories a.? So blind is the popular at
tachnent to those whose actions have
shed Iustre over the pages of their
history.
The nohIeSt feelings of the soul
may be INDUCED in their generous
flow on this occasion. We recall tc
our minds with emotions OF unaiioy-
ed pleasure, the virtues of man not
less good than great ;-whosc guar
dian hand having shielded US from
tho injustice ofth oppressor. foster
cd with paternal care the infancy OF
the republic which his valor had pro-
tected. It is indeed most pleasing
TO cherish the memory Of our great
hcncfactor-to call upon the powers
Of fancy to present to view that l.
mage which is glowing III the hue OF
every virtue. AID aow while lmScr-
fng upon every idea which reminds
US of our Washington, let us hope
thai this public Offering ofgratitude to
his names may animate some kindred
spirit to similar eXertions. This gift
Timmortality conferred by universal
applause, is the reward most grateful
to noble minds. 1t has been introduc-
cd into the policy Of the best governed
States, rs the means OF elicitinS the
most noble exertions in the general
cause. The civic and military
crowns Of Greece and the triumDhs OF
Rome, were the chief incentives to
that display of wisdom in the cabinet,
and gallanhy in the field. which rails
cd those countries to the emlnence
whence thew must ever attract the
wonder Of the world.
Tie celebration of our Washing
toms birth day, may excite the youth
full Patriot to generous emulation
of his virtues, and may draw the at.
tcntinn of American Legislators and
Heroes, to those traits in his cha
racter which placed him first among
the bencractnrs of their country aud
mankind. Ills great abilities early
put forth the bud of their future pro-
mise. Tempering the enterprise OF
yoath with the prudence OF age, he
sousi.t Tor and successfully executed
services Of the most hazardous ma
tnre. q the Indian warfare. which,
thoarh not fruitful of laurels to It's
most fortunate heroes, gives occasion
for fall display of military talents
ne was first enured to arms, and i
was here that the genius Of the sol
der unfoldgd itself. An extensive
frontier was to be defended from the
attacks of an active and savage foe
and the resources of the general tt
whom the trust was committed. were
feeble and inefficient. Yet at thai
youthful stage of life, when it is the
good fortune of but few to have en-
gagged the confidence oil their fellow
citizens, he discovered prudence il
design, and a persevering 6rmness II
the execution of his plans. which
gained for him the general admlra
ton of his countrymen. No minis
tiers of fame were ready to spread a
broad the reputation ola man, who's
scene of action had been the wilder
ness Of an almost unknown country
and his enemy. the undisciplined ma
tive of the woods. Yet, Amerlc;
then smiled upon the dawnins great
ness of her son, and was pleased Il
cherish the remembrance OF that va
lour which had discovered such ablll
ty to afford her its protection. Hi
sword was not long permitted t
slumber in its scabbard, nor the &c
MUS of the soldier to bury itself in 90
livion. among the scenes Of rural re
trement in which he had been eDSas