Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-08-03
FOR THE GAZETTE.

| FOR THE GAZETTE.
VIte sunma breuis spen, no, Detat ,nehoars
Ioneam. Hon.
There are some characters designed by
nature for valuable purposes; intended for
! useful members Of society nothing being
, wanting but some .stimulant to put in mo.
ton those faculties, to which strange phi.
losophy doth administer her opiate-whose
sophishy runs thus
IT'S life's very short span
Forbids the forming great plan.
The limitation Of human life being Of
such short duration, when we contemplate
the epitsph of the sepulehre, the melancho.
ly information, thatin fewyeas or months
we must sink into the silent grave, when
death shall reduce to an equality the man
Of talents and requirements, the wise man
and the fool, the moralist, tie logician, the
philosopher, the sensualist, the perverter Of
reason, philosophy and morals, indiscrimi.
us,.iy IuiA tieru tvger,cn IN one common
receptacle Of the dead, it must naturally
suspend, extinguish ambition, or in great
measure paralyze its exertions. This re-
hection, II il moderate ambition, will teach
US that we should look beyond the grave, to
an Immortality 50 pleasing to the christian,
who reflects that this transitory life-its
scenes ofwoe and rhisery-the diseases and
pains incident to it-demonstrate the truth
Of DR.. Young's sentiment, sublunary bliss!
proud words and vain! implicit treason to
divine Decree" II is natural then to re-
sort to some other source for happiness,
which we cannot enjoy in this state pro-
baton this short life being only preface
to an endless eternity. The belief Of the
Immortality of the soul, and of christianity,
is not the delusion Of the fanatic. Young,
Milton, Boyle, Newton, Addison, Hale,
whose endowments were as great as ever
fell to the lot Of men, were inHexible chris
tians in principle, entirely free from the
imputation Of fanaticism. The religion Of
these illustrious characters did not disquali-
fy them for the active duties of life they
were not only useful and valuable men,
bers Of society-an ornament 10 the age in
which they lived-but are examples worthy
Of the imitation OF the present and future
generations. The name Of the immortal
Washington, whose patriotism, virtue and
religion, shine so conspicuous in history,
can never sink in oblivion, while piety,
morality, and patriotism are revered.-
" Dignum laade virun,, musd uetat mori,"
Is applicable to this patriot and founder Of
our republic, whose exertions and lndefat-
gable perseverance, aided by providence,
achieved for the people Of America, their
liberties and independence. The man
whose influence with the army weighed
more than the whole Congress-who might
have aggrandized himself on the ruins
of bis country--who despised The example
Of ambition, and treason, Of Cesar or Al
exander, deserves to be the proud boast Of
America, olive in the hearts and affections
Of his countrymen.
The examples Of such men ought to ex-
cite Q desire to be useful to the community.
,,Altho' il may never fall to the happy lot Of
any individual to equal those splendid ex-
amples Of piety, wisdom OF patriotism, let
no one despair Of doing good. He must con-
slider that be is moral agent and as such,
uuder a moral obligation to perform his
duty to his fellow men. This principle,
which is 50 evident in itself, requires no de-
nons.ratiOn. except that which self interest