Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-07-09


HrwIrr, Esq. for bis elegant and appro-
pirate Grafton, this day delivered, and that
copy thereof be requested for pubiication.
Extract from The minutes.
C.P. THOMPSON, Sec'y.
GRAFTON.
c.pno. but feel, fellow citizens, The
greatest diridence and apprehension. when
iperceiys the general expectation oil SO nu-
merous and Respectable all audience-.when
Irsflect upon tie want OF novelty IN my
theme. he talent necessary TO impart either
spirit or interest to a subject, upon which
learning has SO often exhausted ilseli, and
genius emplovei the choice materials OF lis
Creative power. Yet relying upon the IN
diligence of an audience, intimately ac-
oI$;n,el with the difficulties of the SUBJECT,
and generously disposed to apologize Tor
the deficiencies OF their speaker, attempt
the performance of the task your Kindness
has imposed on me, in some degree dIssm'
bayrsssel OF those sensations winch lmpcae
the current Of thought, and trammei us eA'
The feelings which the purpose OF our
present assembly naturally inspires, are in
posing in their character, and cannot tose
ibe;r interest in an American bosom, while
apy portion of the spirit remains whlch gave
force TO the debate, and energy totbe c"un-
CHS of that dlv, whose anniversary we now
celebrate. Frequently TO hold hp, to public
view the illustrious characters, and renown.
ed deeds of that period OF our history, will
DC the slrest means of perPetuating VEN
era,,on for its principles, and o! arming the
rising generation against the influence oil
that etfeminacy and luxury, which are the
natural consequences of the rapid increase
of our interior wealth and foreign ."n-
merce. -,
ican liberty immediately alter the es'aDilsa-
men; Of our independence, found II no din.
cult task to enchain the attention oil lheir
auditors. A telicitous elegance OF narration,
an uncommon happiness OF remarks Were
not then necessary means: all Were inter-
e;,ed in the recital of the piece, because
many had been either spectators or actors
in tire scenes. AT that period the American
nation. like the Swiss motmtaineer, who "as
lust escaped the danger OF being swallowed
IN in assure OF o"s Of those vast loIlsS af
ice, which I'LL up the yallles IN his Alpine
abode, was easily excited, by calling to
recollection lis previously experienced dan
gers, and the signal triumph il had 50 lately
achieved. Neither the voice OF eioquence
nor the pencil of fancy was necessary to
spread by sympathy the spirit OF that en-
thusiasm which gave animation and Perse-
yerauce TO the actors in that great struggle,
The blessings Of whose result we are now
epioring in tue bosom of prosperous tram
Cnilitr. Most of those changes which have
so greatly aarcted the fite OF nations, have
arisen from the love of power and rule in
particular indiyiiuals-ie have heenc1us..
I'd by desire of freedom, an l hatred OF
aggression in the many. In rejecting up
on the consequences of our particular rev.
olutioa, IS faras they have been yet deve!-
oped, we are naturally led to examine the
consequences OF similar events in other
times and in other countries. The hlstorI-
cal reader looks with the same expectation
uf finding delight aud instruction IN the con-
temptation and study of these remarkable
periods in In tion's existence. as the weary
traveller does OF finding shade aud refresh
u,ant under ore Of those clumps OF trees,
ybich, separated at vast distance from each
o,her, are found on the arid plains, and I'M
der the ever scorc!ing sun of Arabia A
revolution more slportani in its effects on
the character Of mankind, attended with
greater prodigality and efusion OF human
Blood, than any other perhaps in the long
fecord of mans crimes aud cruel'les, hal IT'S
origin in the genius and enthusiasm OF an
Arabian of no distinguished birth. Born
on the borders Of a country by lis manners
Z and spirit as little likely to grow into pow
er AMI consequence as any known to CIVIL
zed man. Mahomet converted bv SLOW de-
grees a nation of wandering y sbandmen
into an army Of religious fanatics, and
snr,ad, bv means cf the martial enthusiasm
with which he inspired his followers, indie
scribable desolation and misery with the
doctrines of his religion. Literature has TO
lament the blow she received IN the de-
,trIction of the AleYandrian library, iron
the ignorance and intolerance oil the Sara
cen conquerors blow imprlntng siam
on the character of the victorious Mahome-
dams. which the Calips Of Bagdad cou!dnev,,
crwash out, with all the munlheence and
liberali;y with which they afterwards pro-
yided for the wants Of the arts and the SCI
ences. Upon no consequence OF tins great
change in the powers OF the world, can the
eye OF philosophy rest with pleasure. II
was a revolution whose commencement,
progress and termination were marked oy
blood and horror, destruction and immoral
ity; it spread over the fairest portion OF A.
STA and Africa, the stiffness of despotism and
tha iSnorance of abiect slavery and proves