Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-02-28

which would disturb this old soldiers ashes,
after they had lain so long in peace. Would
not all his services, his honorable scars. pro.
tect him inthe quiet slumber5 of the grave
Know, Americans, that be held warm
place in the affections of the chief, and the
whole world we'll knows, that no coward
ever found welcome there.
When the constituted authorities OF the ma
ton determined to organize resistance to the
sno.her country, it became important 10 de-
termine who should lead the host. The lau-
reIs won in the wilderness were yet green on
that brow, which had matured from youth
TO manhood, and Washington is hailed by
unanimous acclaim, General of the Armies
of Liberty. And what was our situation at
this awful period. A band Of yeomanry with
stout hearts and willing hands, but wanting
in almost every requisite, to command sue
cess in SO arduous an undertaking. II was
left for the genius and resources OF the
Chief, out ola chaos to produce. military
system, and to the surprise of the enemy
themselves, first to besiege & finally to force
them TO abandon the then seat Of war.
1t was at this period, Hancock, thy pa
triotc spirit shone in Its brightest colours.
The Cemmander-in-chief having applied to
town OF Boston, John Hancock arose. and
observed, Mr.. President, all that possess
in the world, consists in houses, in the town
of Boston, but ere it shall afford a refuge 10
the oppressors oil my country ; move mat
orders be given to the General, to raze it
il with the ground, leave not yestlge TO
tell where once it stood. Let me be beg
gar. but let my country be freely
friends. those were great days in our coun-
try's annals, and great souled men flourish
ed in those days.
The tempest now Observation-Disclosures in
the decisive battle of Long Island, the gene
raj retires through the never to be forgotten
fields of Jersey--Tbe enemy press on his
rear. and exulhngly exClaIm, soon VIII we
disperse the remnant of this ragged band, and
enter in triumph the capital OF their country.
Vain men, you reckoned without your host,
and in course of your hasty progress, you
found that lion lay in the way. II was at this
gloomy and Responding period OF our AFFAIRS,
that Washington formed that noble resolve,
which, Americans, should be written IN your
book, and treasured in your hearts--wben
asked If all was lost, he replied, never, while
we can defend the passes OF the Western
Mountains, and give liberty as an inherl-
lance to our children. A CLEAN OF sunshine
darted through the gloom OF our mislortunes,
but while it lighted US on to success, tseryed
to show the surrounding darkness the more vi
sible. The commander in chief by daring
manGuyre, having gained the enemy,s rear,
the combat of Princeton ensued, which uni
ted in itself circumstances Of more rare inte-
rest than belonged to any single occurrence
in the whole course of the war. Our har
rassed troops being suddenly assailed, gave
way before the veteran bayonet OF the foe.-
Twas then, Mercer, thy gallant spirit, borne
on the wings OF hope, and cheered by the
prayers of the brave, ascended 10 take ITS rank
among the martyrs of liberty in the realms OF
bliss. Washington, in his cool and calcuIa-
ting mind, was duly prepared for the eAigen-.
cies Of this moment--tor on the success OF
this event rested tie hopes and fortunes OF The
cause.-The appeals to the soldi rs-com-
rades, will you desert your general, whlher-
would you fly ? the enemy indignant at bav-
ing been toiled, pants close in your rear tor
revenge; the river raging with is ice, pre-
vents the possibility of escape-on, on, com,
rades, we must force this opposing band, and
gain the strong heights OF Morristown, or all
is lost. Twas mighty appeal twas like
Hannibal on the Alps, when he shows his
soldiers the dangers OF retreat, and points to
the inviting fields of Italy twas like Ca
sar on the plains OF Munda, when he rallies
the 10Th Legion, calling on them not to oe
sert general, grown grey, fighting at their
head. The appeal of our chief was succeed
ed by devotion that would have honored the
age of Spartan heroism. He well knew that
the crisis had arrived, and that bis hour was
come, when he should redeem the pledge
laid on the altar liberty, when first he drew
a sword III her sacred cause to give free
dom to his country" or perish her noblest
martyr. He turns his horses head to the
enemy--our good fellows stand their ground,
and each adverse line gives ire-the general
is between and tor a time lost to the view
on one side are shouts ofjoy-they think that
he has fallen, and with him the fortunes Of
his country-on the other is the gloom of dts-
pair, till the dun wreath OF battle. having
cleared away, he appears alive, unframed,
and without a wound the Joy, the pride of
the army, the shield of his country, the Fa-
bius MaxiSus of the age. May we not re-
member the prophetic words of the old In
dian, the Great Spirit protects that man"
Poor Fitzgerald, your former tow nsman often
related this interesting event. Heaven rest his
shade in peace, than whom more gay and
gallant fellow never drew sword in an in
jured country's cause.--Oh, Ireland! many
we're thy sons, who combatted for American
liberty Oh, Ireland when at length the
vital spark of freedom shall enkindle in thy
now desoate bosom, may the fame of Mont
gonlery, OF him who died in the dawn OF our
Revolution, that we might live to be great and
L A. = Hhsar