Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-02-25

ed out OF the Sp0'ls ot the terslan loe, dp-
horrence for tyranny IN love of country
And in later age, the'observer heheld in
its dilapidation, the decline at once OF
Grecian freedom and virtue. Greco and
Rome ceased to be free when they became
insensible to the worth and valor OF Pho
cion--to the wisdom and integrity of Cato.
The poetry and eloquence of America have
expressed her gratitude, may we not be-
hold her arts testifying peoples admin
nistration of their warrior and sage. We
rejoice at motion to this effect in the
councils Of the nation ERE long, and the
traveller shall pause in his course to coz
template on Potomac's bank some noble
monument of national gratitude to him
whose name shall be as immortal as its
floods.
The day which we have assembled to no.
nor, is conspicuous in the annals OF man.
kind. A great and happy people hail it,
distant nations remark its re:urn-tyrants
feel more deeply their disgrace-the hopes
of Responding patriots reyive-the fame
and example of the great man whose birth
day rekindle nations JOY, ennoble human
nature, and belong to the human race.
To delineate the character of Washing
ton, would, perhaps, be superaucus; to
recount the actions of his life, Of which we
are acquainted in the blessings they have
wrought, an idle repetition yet it would
be injustice to my audience TO suppose that
their interest had ceased TO be excited in
the history of events which established the
independence of their country, aud the glo-
ry of its leader.
The generous pride of an admiring PEG.
pie has delighted in the results of compa-
risons drawn between the worthless and
warriors OF past times and their favoritc
hero. A ealm contemplation of his chafac-
ter, however. seeks no aid in the equivo-
cal light and shades of parallels and con-
trasts to establish its claim to'unequal great
ness. would insult you to compare our
Washington with either the conqueror at
Issus or at Austerlitz; to contrast the adj
venturous daring of the one, the impetuous
bodness, the Overwhelming invasions The
other, with The mistaken frmness, the I'M
comparable fortitude, of the American
commander-no, we point you TO all intre-
pid chief, who never shrunk from danger
and death whose "magnanimity had tri-
umphed over the last in6fmity of yirtuous
minis, and prohibited him to sacrifice pub
lie utility and the lives Of thousands TO per-
sonai glory who, fighting for liberty him
self, was TOO just to invade the rights" of
others. We lead you to the camp Of Val
ley Forge. to witness scene OF awful he
uism 10 behold d chief whose heart is
bleeding at the indiscribable hardships Of
the little band, which stern misfortune,
pinching poverty, and wintry storms, yet
leave him, within sigh, OF naughty and
numerous foe, vauntingiy displaying "the
pride, pomp. and circumstance of war;"
and entrnched within the capitol, firmly
grasping the banners on which now de-
pended the last hopes of its dismayed and
|despairing country! We turn with indig-
nation from the despot who retained by
force the sword entrusted to him. and en-
ployed il for purposes Of unexampled ty-
ranny at home, and desoia,ion abroad to
the hero, who, when he had repealed the
invaders, aud est 'tiished the liberties, re-
signed the powers of a conqueror 10 the CT
yil authorities of his native land. All Eu-
rope expressed her wonder; all America
poured forth her admiration! We turn
with increased detestation from the Champ
de Mars, where monarch slis upon.
throne, surrounded by slaves, and receives
professions of love amid the files of pam.
pered soldiery, to the yirtuous citizen who
is called by the unanimous suffrage of three
millions Of freemen to the station Of first
magistrate whose way is every where
greeted with acclamalioBs Of unfeigned af-
faciion; whose path is sirewed with the
olive and laurel by the wives and daughters
Of those whom he had rescued from oppres.
sion. We point you to the man who guild
ed with consummate wisdom the republic
whose Liberties he had achieved by heroic
valor.-.-
Nor be skilled in awful schemes Alone
And how to make mighty people thSite +;
But equal goodness, sound integrity,
A firm, mistaken, uncorrupted soul
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