Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-08-13

I'D inthe awful connictDy Iailn that Couiu
not be shaken by the terrific rown OF
death. He prayed necessarily for death
10 come speedily to bis relief.
The account given by him in his dying
we may say, (for he came dy-
ing) could but affect The feeling heart OF
every country, but more especially Our
own. II could hardly be conceived that
in country where the means of subsist-
ence are so easily procured, that any hui
man being could be suffered TO starve. 1t
had been believed, that the charity inhe-
rent in every mans bosom would have pre-
cluded such a catastrophe in relation TO the
most obnoxious and repulsiye vagrant that
ever landed on Dur shores. But from the
fate of The deceased, who so far from be-
ing repulsive, was modest, decent and re-
specially clothed, it seems that this great
est of all christian virtues was forgotten by
those on his route hither, to whom he APP
piled for assistance-not assistance in the
form of aims, but in return for his labor.
We, in our moments of exultation,
proudly claim the first rank of national
character. II is found, however, that the
specimen presented to the unfortunate TO-
reigner in question, Is little calculated to
confirm our title to such pre- eminence
even in our own estimation.
The deceased, from his represe ntation,
was boot and shoe maker, who had a
short time since sailed from London for
the United States-landed at Baltimore,
and finding no prospect of employment in
that distressed city, he was advised that
Richmond would present a theatre for his
trade, and trusting to fortune he set out on
foot without money, with the expectation
ofgetting work on the way TO defray ex-
pences. There can be no doubt of his in
dustry; for on arriving at the Bowling
Green, he. while in the agonies OF death,
still under the sustaining influence hope,
switch still bears US up, nor quits US
when we die" was induisitive about the
prospect of getting employment.
The writer of these lines was seneib'y
affected at the mournfn fate of this youns
emigrant who, urged by the most lauda.
bic enterprise. had been induced 10 snap
the many tender ties which bound him to
his native home, to forego all the endear-
ments Of friendship and affection, and ad-
venurously seek his fortune in more pro-
missing land, found on his landing even at
the threshold of bis short career, that all
his fond hopes we're delasive. A few
short weeks, ended in despair, closed the
scene.
The consideration Of this young emf
grants suferings in " the land OF the free
and the home of the brave" cut me To the
soul. felt that my country had been dis
honored, and indignant at that disgrace in
which Icould but feel myself nationally
inculpated, exclaimed, in the language
of the feeling Cumberland
When the aged and n6rm vaiply put up
their prayer
For that mite, which your mass without
missing could spare
The angel of vengeance your crime shall
enrol,
Among those OF the Depons who murder
the soul.
1t is however to be hoped, for charity.
sake, that there is not such dereliction
from the hest feelings Of the heart any
where 10 be found in this favored land,
as to admit that a ellow-creature should
starve in despite of supplication for asss-
lance. 1t is believed in the present in
stance that i, was owing much to the d'th-
dence and modesty of the sufferer. 1t may
of a truth be said of him, in the language
of the Scripture, to dig, he was unable,
ard ashamed to beg And, under this
view of the case, it is the more to be la
mented, that the eye of benevolence-had
not been more keen in deserving suffering
virtue, and the band Of charity more
prompt in afording timely relief TO so mo-
dest aud unassuming suppIlcant.
From the Richmond Enquirer go
TO THE EDITOR.