Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-07-14
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INDEPENDENCE.
COMMUNICATION.
WEDNESDAY, JULY IA, 1924.

dependence was celebrated in Charlton, with
out distinction of party. A peculiar interest
was added to the occasion, it being the day
appointed for the presentation Of two elegant
Standards, procured by the ladies of Charlton,
for the Independent Rifle and Light Infantry
Companies of this town.
At an early hour the Independent companies
paraded and went through with the usual mil
itary evolutions, exhibiting good specimens of
improvement in military tactics. They were,
then, under the command of Capt. Willard e.
Lieut.. Barton, formed in a line. The ladies,
TO the number Of from two to three hundred,
formed procession under the direction oftheir
Marshalls, Gen. Salem Towne, jr. and Mr..
Harvey Dresser, and moved to the common,
in front of the companies, attended with
large concourse of citizens Of the town and
strangers. After short and impressive prayer
by the Rev. MIR. Rich, the standard for the
Light Infantry company was presented by Miss
Sarah r. Rider, accompanied with the follow
ing
ADDRESS.
SIR,--The return of another anniversary Of
our National Independence, recalls to mind
that period, when the assembled delegates Of
the American people declared the United
States, free and independent. When, regard
less of the menacing posture of the British Lii
on, they piucked the purest gem from the roy
al crown, and displayed it to the world as
brilliant token of a nations birth.
While contemplating the glorious privileges
and the numerous blessings we enjoy, what
true American is there whore heart does not
glow with love and gratitude to the Author of
all good, that he has a share in this rich inner
itence? That this fair country is his home, and
this rich soil his native land? And while he
rejoices in its growing prosperity, and the rich
bountles scattered over 1t by the munifcence
of Heaven, he cannot refrain from raising i'm
mortal eulogies TO those heroes whose brave
and magnanimous .exertions procured him
these blessings. The preservation of these
blessings depends wholly on the wise and jul
diCous management or our magistrates, and on
the strength and bravery of our militia; OF
which the Independent Corps Of this town is
an honorable branch. Is a testimony of the
high esteem We entertain of your military per-
formances, and the martial spirit they so mo-
bly, evince, in behalf of the ladies here assem-
bled, with emotions of joy and gratitude, pre-
sent you with this standard, for the use of the
Charlton Light Infantry. Accept it, sir, as a
pledge of our confidence in you, to vindicate
its country's rights and maintain our freedom.
We solicit you to establish good discipline, to
cultivate your minds with the patriotic advice
and counsels of the illustrious Washington
and in time of peace prepare for war, that il
may not be said in these days of calm sereni
ty that any, who march under the banner, have
degenerated from the noble spirit and virtues
oftheir loretathers. But let il rather be sub.
ject OF pleasing reflection 10 you, that the pat
,riotic zeal they were summoned TO display, Is
permitted, by the bountiful indulgence of tIeav.
zen, to remain latent in the bosom of their sons
From the present prosperous appearance
may we not indulge the joyful hope, that oul
country will have no occasion to require of you
those extraordinary exertons, which it wa!
their fortune to exhibit. But, from the con-
mon versatility of human destiny, should the
prospect darlSen, should the clouds of public
misfortune hlackcn, should the voice of YOU
Couutry's calamity call you to her relief, ma J
the sufferngs and trials of your worthy pro
genitors in rearing the temple of freedom, anc
tthe tender solicitude of the grateful donors o
that banner, waving over your heads, stimu
late your hearts to action, and your invincble
courage press you forward to victory. Tha
you may be ultimately crowned with the
brightest laurels of success, will ever be ou
sincere prayer; and, finally, when you have
completed your campaignshere on earth, ma y
you all be found enrolled under the martha
Ensign of Emanuel, and receive the blesseG
-benediction Of we'll done good and faithful sol
'Iiors, enter we into the kingdom of,your be-
loved Father, and beautifully partalIe of the
superior bessingsof Heaven.
To which Ensign Carpenter made the fol-
lowing
REPLY.
MADAM,-In behalf of the members com.
posing this company of Light Infantry, and
with sentiments of esteem and gratitude, re.
ceive this elegant Standard. We pledge our.
selves to those ladies, through whose liberali.
ty it is presented, that its deposit shall be re-
garled with patriotic fidelity. We cordially
reciprocate those just sentiments brought to
view in your very pleasing address. Our coun-
try rs sisnallY iavourcd-the smiles of Heaven
light upon it--civil and religious privileges are
The Standards, which were executed in a
very superior style, were painted one OF them
OY Mr., IhpnpliIus r. WCstern of IVorcostor