Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-10-28
FETE AT YORKTOWN.
lCeneisded.l

ruins OF the kock hooouoS, ss"oi"S
within s yards of the rivers bsuk. The
ceremony of the reception at abat most
Interesting point was pathetic beyond
rxnressiop. The old General advanced
an the hillock which leads to the Re-
doubt. limping and supported by the
Governor with his aids and members
of the Go nnittse of Arrangement
A large column of officers and citizens
followed them. When General La
Fayette had reached the rriumphai
Arch, General Taylor stepped from
che se,picircular group which was form
ed near the rivers bank. saioted MN
with profound respect, and addressed
him in the following msnner
General = On behalf of my comrades,
/ bid you welcome. They come to greet
YOU, With no pageantry, intended to
surprise by it's novelty, or dazzle oy Its
spleudour: But they bring you, Gene,
raj, an offspring which wealth shooio
not purchase nor power constrain. Oa
this day associated with 50 many shFi'-
ling recollectioDs: on this spot consecra'
ted by successful vslor, they come to ei-
fer you this willing homage OF their
hearts
Judge, General, of their feelings at
this moment by your own. Every
thing around them speaks alike to their
seoses and sensibilities. These plains
where the peaceful plow-share has not
vet effaced the traces of military opera
lions. these half.decayed ramparts,
this ruined village, in which the bombs
havoc is still every where visible, tell
us of past warfare; and remind US Of
that long, arduous aud doubtful strug-
gle. on the issue of which depended the
emancipation of our country.
On wonder hilloek, the Last scene OF
blood was closed by the surrender of an
army. and the liberty of our nation per.
msnsntly secured. With what resist-
less eloquencs does it persuade our
gratitude aud admiration for the gal.
liant heroes, to whose noble exertions
we owe the countless blessings which
our free institutions have conferred up
pom US?
The spot on which we stand was onoe
\ rsdoubt oe upied BY our sOemy. With
how rapid a pencil does imagination
present the blooming chiefsian, by whom
fl was wrested from his grasp! Can
we be here and forget, that superior to
che preiudices which then enchainsd Q.
ven noble minds. be perceived In the
Hrst aud almost hopeless struggle of q
distant and obscure colony, the move.
mene Of that moral power which was
destined to give new direction and
character to political institutions, and
60 improve human happiness CaDws
forget, that, deafto the solicitations OF
power, of rank, and of pleasure, with q
noble prodigality, he gave TO our coon.
try his sword, his treasure, and the 10.
fuence of his example.
And when in the aged warrior who
stands before Us, we recognise that
youthful chieftian, with what rapidity
does memory retrace the incidents oil
his sveutful life? With what pleasure
do we sec his manhood realize the pro.
mises of bis youth? In Senates or 10
Camps; in the palaces of Kings, or in
their dungeons. we behold the same O.
rect and manly spirit. AT one time
teapering the licentiousness Of popu'
larfssling: as another restraining the
sxtravagsncs Of power: and always re-
gardless of every thing but the great
Object of his life, the moral and politi'
cal of mankind,
GsNsRAL-ID the brightest days o.
antiquity. DO artificial stimulus of rank
or power, or wealth was required to
excite noble minds to acts of generous
daring. A wreath of laurel or of OAK
was at once the proof aud the reward
of illustrious merit. For this, states
men meditated, warriors bled, and clio
uuence SCARED TO it's subiimest heights
The prize was invaluable; for. it wa
won only by merit. IL detracted, how
aver, somewhat from its worth, that i,
was conferred by the psrtiality of com
patriots, and in the fervor of admira'
Sioo iospired by recent success.
Your life. General, illustrious throsgh
out, in this also is distinguished. Time
which dims the lustre of ordinary me-
rit. has rendered yours more brilliant
After lapse of near halfs century
YOUR triumph 10 decreed by the sons o
those who witnessed your exploits.
Deigu, then General, TO accept ths
simple but expressive token of their
:. gratitude and admiration. Suffer theil
leader to place upon your veteran brow
the only crown it would not disdaiu tC