Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-07-12

"A
regiment. II was unanimously resofyed
that the thanks of this meeting be pre-
scented 10 Capt. Peyton for his very
apnropriate Grafton. delivered on the
fourth IF July. and that a copy De re-
Quested for publication.
G. BRONAUGH, Sec'ry.
Grafton delivered by Capt. Peyton, on the
fourth of July, before the volunteer COM
panIes, and general staff.
Fello.s Citizens and Soldiers.
The memorable events of history have
ever been deemed worthy remembrance ;
they have been perpetuated by the pen OF
the biographer, or conveyed to posterity
through the traditionary channels Of auricu-
lar communication. The sway of Alexan-
aer-the yalour Of Miltiades-the fame OF
Pompey-the ambition Of Casar-the just
NESS of Ariatides--tbe wisdom of Solon---
are each of them subjects of admiration ;
while the remarkable events connected WIN
their career, are circumstances OF usefni IN
ierest TO the statesman and the soldier. WHO
has not been charmed with the bravery OF
Ieonidas, upon which depended the fate OF
rsDubl;c Who has not wondered at the
revenge OF a Hannibal, which convulsed Tor
time the flares. portion OF the world ano
was only satiated with the desolatlon OF pro-
v;nces and the lives of innumerable victims.
who has not coveted the fame OF Romu-
,as. the founder Of an empire. or the glory
81 a Cato, who would not survive the iiper-
ties of his country
In this enumeration of events, the estso'
Hshmest of our own republic, and the ca
-eer of WASHINGTON, are themes which IN
grandeur. and sublmity, bid defiance TO any
comparison call to mird the circumstances
attending the first confederation oil the old
conoress. when the delegates were IN danger
ef assasipation, by traitors, on their way TO
,he capitol; the peril with which they held
their deliberations, when perhaps at that We
~ moment their own homes were blazing
from, the torch of internal enemies the dis
trust with which each member offered even
the simplest proposition when in it., per-
hans. was involved the safety of his constI-
tuents, and his country. Truly these were
rin.es thos tried mems soals;'' but, my tel
law citizens, these events are Known to you
All. and altho' their consequences were al
times fraught with peril TO congress, ana
misery TO future generations. yet they weTe'
through the Blessing of Hsaven, caused to
eyenlaa.e in the establishment OF country
F-eessSoDsreiga and Independent.
Forty-faur years have rolled round, since
,be reverend fathers Of our country adopted
tha Instrument you have just heard read,
p,edsing all they held dear on earth IN sup
port of their determinations. This is the
day when Freedom raised her soul inspiring
voice. and called our nation into existence {;
when tyranny startled al the mighty sound,
a,d mad oppression gave signs ofwee that
al was lost;' hail suspicious hour! hal! noble
era ever 20 stand conspicuous 10 the annals
Of fame ever 10 remain lhe monument OF
our glory! The rising sun shall gild thy
opening dawn with redoubled radiance, anc
hold ms course through Heaven with ten
fold splendour nature shall assume her
brightest charms, and all conspire to beautl-
s r, The scene. The flower enamelled heids
sfall disperse their choicest fragrance, the
laurel groves shall wave their honoured heads
with ysrdans majesty, and the feathered
songsters oitbe air thrill their sweetest notes
i'm soliest melody. The genius OF our land
shall welcome Thy approach, and Columbi-
ans hail thee from afar--at thy arrival every
heart shall glow with patriotic ardoar-mar,
Shall forge, his cares and all join in the ge-
neral iestisity -old age with renovated
strength, shall come forth, and tell our list
ning youth the achievements oftheir fathers,
esulting youth catching ardour from the sto-
~, shall pant 70 emulate their fame, This
IS the day when the patriots of our land, pros
claimed TO the astonished world, our Liber.
". and independence, when breaking as.
sunder the political bands that connected u.
with Great Britain, they declared that AME-
AGA should assume among the nations of the
earth, sthaf separate and equal station, ID
abich The Iaurs of nature, and Of natures Goo
sas.sled her, and to support their views
they pledged TO each other, their Lives