Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-01-24

his birth, which had cialD w d' "''
forts. 70 al! his services That unhappy
nation sruaned under a complican"n :"
evils which has scarcely parallel III MS
tory. The mass Of the people were inc
affect slaves Of the mobiles. The n"o.e''
torn into fac ions, were alternately ne
instruments and the victims OF tier pow
eriul and ambitious neighbors. bv m
tr;gue, corruption, and force, some O. us
fairest provinces had been separated
from the republic, and the people Ike
beasts, transferred to foreign despots,
who we're again watching iur favorable
moment for a second dismemberHenf.-
To rcgenerate a people thus de5ased--
10 Obtain for country thus elrcums'an-
ced, the blessings OF liberty and indepen-
deace. was a work Of as much difficulty
as dagger. But to mind like kn.cius-
ko's, the difficulty ard danger ii an en-
terptize served as stiinulants 70 under
take it.
The annals of these times give US no
detailed account Of the p'ogres, Of Kos
clusIo in accomplishing his great work,
from the period OF his return t'om Amc-
RIGA to the adoption OF the new cons'itu-
ton of Poland, in 1871. This interval,
however, If apparent inaction. was most
u>cfully employed, to iIIumine the NET
tai dar kness which enyeloped his ccun-
trvncn. To stimulate the isLCrant ard
biscted peasantry with the hope OF future
emancipa'ion-to teach a proud but gal.
liant nobllty that true gIsry i, only 10 be
found in the paths oil duty AID patriot
ism-nterests the most opposed, preJudi-
ces the most stubborn, and habits the
most invetcra'e, were recOnCi!ed, Gissi.
pated, and broken By the ascendancy Of
kis virtues and example. The storm
which he had forescen, and for which
he bad been preparing, at length burst
upon Poland. A feeble and Unpopular
government bent before its fury, AID sub
mitted itself to the Russian yoke Of tie
invader. But the nation dIsdalned to
follow its example; in their extremity e.
very eye was turned on the hero who
had already Tough, their ba,tie:-'he sage
WHO had enlightened them, and he pat
riot who had let the example Of personal
sacrifices to accomplish the emancipa-
ton Of the people.
Ko.ciusko was unanimouIy appointed
Generaisssimo Of Poland, with unlnnlt-
ed powers, until the enemy should be
driven from the country. On his virtue
the nation reposed with the utmost conf
dence-and it is some consolation To re-
feet. amidst the general dePra'ity o.
mankind, tina, two instances in the same
age, have OCCURRED. where powers Of this
Kind. were employed solely Tor the peE-
poses for which they were given.
1t is not ny intention, sir, 20 fellow
th3 Polish chief throughout the career Of
victory which, for a considerable time.
crowned his efforts. Guided by hi, Ia
tents. and led by his va!or, his uadisCiP,i-
ned. lily armed militia charged with Ell.
feet the veteran Russian anu pFussisn;
the mailed cairassers o. the great Fred
eriCk, for the first time, broke and fed.
before the lighter and Appropriate ca,aI-
~ o. Pcland. Hope fl. ed the breasts u
the patriots. After long night, the
dawn Of an apparently glorious day broke
upon Poland. Bat, 10 The discerning eye
OF kosciu:ko, The light which it shel was
Of that sickly and pVrtentoos appearance,
indicating storm more dreadful than
that which be had resisted.
He prepared 10 meet it with frmness.
but with means entirely inadequate. To
the advantages Of numbers. pf tactics, OF
discipline, and ineXhiustibIe resources,
tie combined despots had secured fac
ton in the heart IF Poland. And. Il that
country can boast Of having produced its
WAsHIscToS, il is dissraced also by CIV
ing III. III to a second Arnold. The day
at ieus.h came which Was to decide the
fate VI nation ard a hero. Heaven, tor
wise purposes, determined that II should
be the last VI Polish liberty. 1t vas dCci-
died indeed, before the battle commenced
The tral.or PUni;ki, who covered with
detachment the advance Of the Polish ar
my, abandoned his position to the enemy
and retreated.
Kosciusko was astOnished but not dis.
mased. lie di.posi ION Ui has army
would have done honor 10 Hannibal. The
succeeding conflict was terrible. When
the talents o! the general could 10 lon.
ger direct the mingled mas, Ct combat-
ants, the arm OF The wartior was brought
to the aid OF his soldiers. lie performed
prodigies Of valor. The failed proves.
Of Ajax. in defending the Grecian shps,
was realized by the Polish hero. Nor
was he badly seconded By his troops.
As long as his voice could guide. or hi
example fire their valOr, they we're ire
-. L Il 4