Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-07-14

families from tue midnight robher and as.
ASSN. protect its barriers from, violation with
the same watchful assiduity that you would
seek to preserve your populous cities from
the fearful ingyess ola destroying pestilence,
or the desolaiing brand Of an uppr:ncipled
and murderous incendiary il is
the only security We possess Tor the stabili-
ty of our republican government and insti-
tutions--it is the depository of our rights
the palladium Of our liber,ies-and whenits
barriers are once broken down. and ITS. prln-
ciples cease to be INSTRUMENTATION will the
Goddess OF liberty desert your banner, and
leaving the stately don,es OF your magnid.
cent Republican Capitol aiar behind her,
wing her way to some more favored land.
or, in utter dependence of finding resting
place in the civilized world, seek the I'M
cultivated wilds of Nature, and there with
the untutored savage, take up her abode tor
ever
Fellow soldiers this day should be ever
celebrated by every American to the reno.
test period of time-grateful hosannabs should
ascend from every temple of worship dedi-
Gated to the deity--for on this day we threw
of our shackles, and assumed an honorable
STATEN among the nations of the earth. The
events associated with this day should be In
delibly engraved on the heart OF every A
merican. The present is an suspicious @ra
ofour existence-after aisecond, and an ar
duous struggle for our rights, we are again
reposing in the calm Of peace, and floating
Ger the rich tide of prosperity-our canvass
whitens every sea--and the American fag,
the stars and stripes of Columbia, waves
proudly over the pillows Of the ocean: the
deeds of Hull and of Bainbridge-of Law.
renee and Deca,ur-of Porter and OF Perry
of Blakeiy and of M Donough have wreath
ed around our little navy the imperishable
trophies of glorious victory: and on land,
long shall the Briton remember the plains OF
Bridgewster and of Cbippewa-the ram.
parts OF Baltimore and New Orleans. Would
to God We could dwell on the scene of bat.
tie in more contiguous section of our coun-
try with equal satisfaction and delight: but
the heart sickens-ths bosom swells with ins
dignation at the recolection-the patriotism
and bravery Of America should never have
permitted the Vandalism of the Briton TO
have despoiled and laid waste the fairest or
nam ants of its metropolis: and the black ru-
ms of the once splendid capitol, if they could
not have borne honorable testimony to the
annhilatioa of the invader, should have, at
least, inurned, in glorious mausoleun, the
ashes of It's defenders like The Phoenix,
another magnificent capitol has arisen from
the ashes: may lis annals be more glorious,
and its defenders, should il need any, more
brave than were those of its predecessor.
Fellow soldiers! not a speck is visible on
our political firmament-ail is calm and Sc
rene: the sound Of the war-trump is no long
erheard in our land but should war, with
its attendant horrors again visit us,sbould the
hostile foot OF an enemy again poiute eur
peaceful shores; should the foreign maraud-
er again invade the sanctuary of your homes
and 6resides: may you be found in the fore
most ranks OF your country defenders: may
you emulate the example, of " ashing
Warren, who fell bGavely fighting III his
countfy's cau,e on Bunker's Hill: OF Mont
gomery, whose life blood dyed the heights
of Abrahaw-and of Pike. who fell in the
arms of victory, aud covered with glory"
while one breast Of your little phalanx re-
mains uupierced-- while life continues 10 ami
mate one bosom, or thrill through one heart
of Jour youthful band, defend the banner
that waves over you. and that ought 10 con-
duct you 10 victory, or immortality ; and
never compromise honor while lie remains
to defend it.
Fellow soldiers! may the date of our ereC-
ton into an independent corps De as memo-
ra5le in the annals iyour country, as is that
OF our republican confederation Oh the his
toric page OF nations the escutcheon
of yolr fame be pure and unsullied, and the
stain eft infamy never tarpsh lis brillianCe.
Fellow soldiers! accept individually, my
best wishes for your happiness and prosperi-
ty: itnow remains for me to solicit all your
indulgence for the very imperfect manner in
which lbave addressed you: the emancipa-
tion OF our country Is a subject to which the
mind which is possessed of the must intimate