Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-07-21


Al a celebration of American indepen-
dence at Powhatan Courthouse, on the
4th inst. the following GRAFTON was
delivered by CHARLES +. Pope, Esq.
Friends and fellow citizens-Permit me TO
add my voice TO the general cOngrat nlatioa
which is heard from. one end To tho other OF our
happy country, on the return OF this grand les
tival of liberty. When catch, as l cannot but
do, the electric enthusiasm, which glows in
every heart, and spa,kles in every eve, il is
with emotion indeed, rise to offer with you on
tie halowed altar OF liberty, the incense OF JOY
and gratitude The anniversary of slaves is the
birth day OF their tyraDts; they shout at the
sight of royal pomp and pageantry, whose costly
spiendours insult their AFFECT poverty and
wretchedness.-Bnt free America, III all The
purity OF her republican simplicity, celebrates
the birth day OF her Independence. Yes. thrO
our boupdiess country. the voice of a JOY iul pee
pie Is heard and assembled thousands are seen,
commemorative this day.-Whcre lately 10
thing was heard but the yell OF the savage,
breaking on the gloomy silence of our western
forests. a fioufishing population halls the return
OF liberty trlImph day; AMI the patriots song
arises from the feast of freedom, kudiiug a
warmer love of country in each breast, or caus-
iiig tear 10 flow tributary TO the Hory of
the brave, who died in defence of their coun-
trys rights. aati sacred honor. Could those ma
tons who bow down at the foot ct throne
which rises in splendid nIocEery above their
PROSTATE rights could they who row broy OH
their blood and treasure, governments which
tional jubilee, only breathe our air which is
haiiOwed by the spirit OF liberty; their souls
would expand, their chains would bnrst-they
would kmdie Il fire on the affairs of freedom. IN
which tyranny would be sacrificed forever
Fellow citizens, cannot exaggeraie the Ilnppi.
ness OF this favored iand-Erery patriot bears
testimony that language mDsi faint under an
expression of The JOY, that thrills his heart aud
awakens its strings TO delightful harmony
when lie coptemplaies the blessings whicl,
brighten the face OF his country. Look Ovet
this land Of ireedom-eXtensive fields boHnii
fully repay the hand OF induStry-,ke growth
OF every cline is Ours--malestlc rivers roll 10
the ocean the overfowings of the hoin of plen-
ty and the world is fed with the products o.
our soil. Tile arts have found their favorite
yotaries here. a Fulton mounts the waves like
Neptune, and the tides Of ocean, and the winds
Of heaven are submissive. Here philosophy
taught her Franklin to disarm the cloud and
conduct its lightnngs harmlessly TO his feet
Here too, we repose in peace and security nm
der the mild guardianship OF our own laws;
while government or our choice dfiuses, like
|. the blessed san, its happy influence over all.
The heart, when ii feels these blessings, fills
with gratitndeand Turns TO the authors of them.
W e think of our fathers, and of their arduous
tolls in the revolution, that we might be thus
free, that we might be thus happy. Twas then
they beheid the destinies of this nation waven
Twas then they saw the arm of tyranny out
stretched 10 throw around them the chains of
slavery and to clutch in its tremendous grasp
the rights and newborn freedom of America
But their hearts did not fail them, for they had
quafied of the Inspiring fountain of indepen.
dence they look ed with emotion over their be-
loved country; fairer creation did not laugh
beneath the sun-they saw their mighty rivers
rushing 10 the ocean-they bcheld their noun.
taius rising like pillars TO The sky behind which,
liberty might entrench herself, and on whose
tops her banners might forever fly-and their
hearts whispered them that this lovely land was
not made fol tyrants, that ii was designed for
the home OF the free. They felt nober cou.
linn in hi, ,t.,l,,
gies braciug them for the contest, aud led on
by Washington, the delegated son of freedom,
their hardships sotteHed, their difficulties sub.
sided, until the waiiand shout of war was hush.
ed, and liberty triumphant pressed her feet up
OH the neck OF PROSTATE tyranny. The glorious
period of the revolution has long passed by;
yetOtt does the patriot think OF its gOries with
Il glow of rride. and tear OF gratitude. Of
does he think OF It's heroes who now sleep after
their tolls, III the peaceful grave but whose
names like watch ure>, shine from the heights
OF fame, by which liberty S bark may se forever
steered iu safety. AHd Washing on, The brave
the noble, the generous Washing ION sleeps with
them. A simple cedar waves above his unor-
namenied grave-Yet when time shall Obliter
ate the tale OF the marbie-when kingiy mODu-
mentS shall crumble and min. le with the ashes
they were Intended To commemorate, his me-
mory shall still he unfadcd; for his country
erectS itself into one vast monument of his
fame. Yes, III after times the stranger shall
look TO our shores from the waves OF ocean and
eAclaim . behold The land of Washington !"
The revelation. fellow citizens, was succeeded
| by tenour of unvarjed happiness Our coun
Try went on IFS way TO prosperity, rejoicing i'll
the liz ht of libertyand peace Herdark forests
| bowed TO her spreading population, and culture
| taught The wilderness 10 smile. Her rising
cities caught the admiring eye, and commerce
vhitened the ocean with her sails. Bnt the
enemy we cOHtended with in our outh, looked
| with jealous and invdiOus eye, on our bless.
| ings; and again resolved to mar our happiness
| We demonstrated against the unprovoked at
tack upon orr rights; and our IemOnstrance
was answered by farther aggression, with "A
| temper that seemed To gather vindictveness
| from our pacific disposition. AT length the in
dignant spirit of our nation oused, and
| the trump of war summoned the sons of Tree
| dom 10 the standard of their country. They
| heard aud obeyed the call; for their rights
were now eudeared 10 them by the blood aud
| Their homes made sacred by the tombs of their
| fathers. Yes, noble spirits; the energies of
whose souls slept while the gent tie gales OF peace
| blew over them, were animated by the trum-
| pets caDgor, 81 mingled in the battles OF their
| country. Like the eagle that covers III silence
| aud IN solitude Till he hears tie storm, then
| mounts aioit with more strength in his wing,
| aud keener fire IN his eye, deiisbtng in the
| elemental strife. Such were the sous OF free
! dom, whose banners waved VIGOROUSLY over
1 the snews Of Canada, aud tile plains OF LOuisi-
! aua--to whose battle fields is directed the pa
| triOts pilgTmage-wiios fame brightcns the
| historians page, and inspires the poets song d.
| The waters of Erie and Champan have wit
| messed the spIendors OF our naval achievements
| and the ocean has refused its vassalage 10
| England. Yes, the world beheld with astOnisIi.
| meiIt our inlan, navy breaking tile spell which
! victory had so long thrown around The British
| flag. and encircIing her own colours in halo
| OF mtading glory. No danger could dauut the
| generous breast OF the American tar-it was in
| bariiiug with the enemy of his country that he
truly lived. 1t is then that every pulse is in
fuii elay his heart is Weakened; his spirit scars
g No Cauid, faint hearted dOubtugs tease him
q IL
"wi' bloody hand welcome gi's bim;
And when he fa's;
of hfe xthiug Leaves hiua