Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1817-11-04
ALEXANDRIA:
TUESD.iP, NorEaBER 4. 1917.

. Accident has thrpwn into our hands
the following speech of young gentle.
man, who was graduated in TIE Philadel-
pha University on the Cd OF Iu!y, 1912.
From some note attached to it. we per.
ceive that the number Of graduates was
so great that the professors found it me-
cessary to limit their time of speaking to
fifteen minutes. 1t will be readily ina
gined that in doing this, they must at the
same time havecramped and limited the
faculties and range OF the speaker. We,
however, give it to our readers as acct
dent gave it to US, and we think it WILDE
read, at least by orr juvenile patrons,
with some degree of interest and seasl'
bility.
on PATRIOTISM.
OF the many virtues which adorn the
human character there ia none, perhaps,
which sheds more celestial light around
it than that Of patriotism.
1t is pure and undiiuted in its nature
it is free and generous in its object. IT.
creasins aud expanding, it puEsues the
lovely and majestic tenor Of its way, IN
mindful Of danger, and unsuided by self
interest. Personal asgrandizement forms
no scheme in its conception.
Sincere in its principle, bold in its &C.
MUS, and universal in its wish, it par
takes of the descended spirit OF christi
anity, and embraces the whole iumily Of
| man
In the character Of patriotism ihe eIhc-
real essence of philanthrophy is united,
viii h, like ray from Heaven, touches
the human heart, and kindles into gene
rosity the other flame Of divine original.
When we take view of the society Of
nations, our feelings, under the active in
fluence Of its virtuous sympathy, either
rise with JOY, Or sink with grief, at the
prospect Of happiness or the presence of
misery. And, il we cannct assist with
our efforts, we can at least indulge in The
pious wish that happiness may b. found
wherever the footsteps OF man can be
traced. Yes, patriotism is heavenly
gift, and its genial region is-in the heart
of nan. 1t is not confined to the cabinet
of the state.man, nor 10 the camp of the
soldier. The unfortunate individual WIN,
in the aras of agony and death, expires
with prayer OH his tremulcus lip Tor the
prosperity of his country. IS no less pa
triot than he who is enabled to breathe
the heroic ardor to adventurous deeds
WHAT an Interesting aud affecting group
of patriots might we not select from his
tory, whn- colorless cheeks and eyes
beJlmed with the full and radiant tear Of
affection, have spent their last breath in a
blessing upon theircountry. 1t is, indeed.
The excellence of the man that forms the
worth of the patriot, and he IS to be found
as we'll in the poor retreat of penury and
want as under the courtlv canopies OF
luxury and wealth. Nor is it necessary
!" To cut figures Of marshall'd hosts,
To describe he motions and explain tie
use
OF the deep column, and the lengthen'd
lire"
10 put forth claim to the name Of patri-
OF. IF heroes and patriots were thus
closely allied, our feelings would revolt
at the Ioathsome confusion Of the picture
which our fancy would lay before US
The modern At,iia, who now brandiAh's
his baieful sceptre over the faint and ex-
hausted spirits Of Europe, wCuId stand in
some comparative relation with that cha
ractcr, whose +" Grave i. in ycnder skies"
and which has been pronounced by the
world " as the best example of a perfect
human bling" We should perceive ~
the same assenblage a iiend aud saint,
a destroyer and rede"mer, a BonaParte
and a Washington. Poets have said that
one murder makes villain, but millions
a hero.
So let it be with the emperor Of France,
but not so with the patriot Of America
who has lett an imperisha5sc, If not an In
Irritable example OF every thing great in
man and glorious in the sight OF God.
:. The spirits Of the good, who bent from
high,
Wide DER these earthly scenes, their
partiateye,
Mistook mortal, for an angel guest,
Aud ask'd what seraPh foot the earth im-
psess'd."
But let US not loiter with this almost im-
pious an;ithesis ter the purpose OF shew-
lug that the lore Of country is intimately