The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-02-28
ron THE VIRGINIA.

The anniversary of the birth of the poll
teal saviour Of America, of the man, " first
III war, Grst in peace, Il first in the hearts of
his countrymen," hath Just passed over,
aud, melancholy TO tell, no discharges of
cannon, no parades, no Nominations, no
balls, in short, no public manifestations
whatever, of general gladness, marked the
transit, above other and ordinary DAYS, in
the town of Lynchburg WHENCE ask
in sad and sober earnest, this reckless disre-
gard Of claim, upon our gratitude, our love
of country, of virtue, and of man, which so
powerfully addresses itself to our hearts !
Why this cold insensibility TO the proudest
recollcciions connected with the political
history of our common country Hath
every thing like public spirit become tx
tinct IN the town of i.ynehburg Is the
sacred, Roman amor patrie," are all the
inner and nobler feelings of our nature, mer-
ged and lost in the ignoble spirit of AN ex-
elusive devotion to the selfish pursuits of
gam Shall we, the constitutional nheri-
tors of the inestimable blessings which H.
berty bestows, permit to pass away. unho.
nored and unnoiiced ,the day which ushered
INTO being the extraordinary nan, whose
liteis identified with the nohlest portion.
of our national history whose actions
constitute the ground work of our national
fame ; whose valor achieved, whose virtue
saved, whose wisdom fortified that freedom
winch II is our peculiar privilege to enjoy.
aud which we profess to worship whilst
the degraded vassals of Royalty hail, with
the most enthusiastic demonstrations of
Joy, the annual return of the day, which
gives to their enslaycd country an heredi-
tary ruler, often devoid alike of wisdom and
OF virtue Heaven forbid Justice, gra-
titude, patriotism, policy, every sentiment
which should sway the heart, every reason
which should govern the mind, conspre to
deprecate the monstrous and unnatural idea.
For if were called upon to select, from
the heterogeneous mass ofhuman infirmity.
an ingredient which should constitute the
Distinguishing attribute Of demon, ingra-
tltude, such ingraitude as this, would be
nay unhesitating choice
Some years ago scheme, (which does
honor to the heart that conceived i'll was
adopted by the Virginia Legislature, pro.
posing, by the voluntary contributions of
the citizens, the erection'ofa Cpnotapb. at
the seat OF government TO the memory of
Washington. In pursuance of which reso-
luton, and for the laudablc purpose of
anording every Nirginian, however humble
IN his circumstances, an opportunity of
contributing his mite to the monumental
commemoration of the deeds of his pohti.
cal saviour, subscription papers were dsse-
minated throughout the state, with the
express provision that no one individual,
however literally disposed, would be per
united To contribute a sum greater than
twenty dollars towards, this great object of
universal concern. Shall announce the
result This appeal to the llberalily ana
gratitude of the "Old Dominion" proved
abortise! When our chronicles shall dis
close this 'humiliating fact to our republican
posterity, will they not, weeping over the
memory of Washington, execrate our
names Whilst we daily squander thou
sands IN the procurement of Injuries that
tend only u eneryate the body and corrupt
the soul, We parsimoniuusiy withhold the
! means ofpaying an inadequate tribute due