Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-07-13
GRAFTON.


Fellow CITlzsEs: -. Amid the various
Interesting events which tie history OF the
past century presents to view, that OF the
American Revolution is the more so, 1T
being the more intimately connected with
our immediate personal interests and Ia
tiopal prosperity fbe annual celebration
of this day, was wisely instituted by our
predecessors TO keep alive the recollec-
t,on of an event, upon which we delight to
reflect. and 10 review those illustrlous a
achievements of our fore-fsthers; which
have rendered US The free inhabitants OF a
mighty republic, instead OF the colonial
subjects of a transatlantic monarch
With what pleasursble delight do we look
hack 10 the period, when the fame OF Ii
berry. which had been so long smothered
by the trowns of monarchy, burst forth.
Cor the first time. respleDdent upon this
western hemisphere, and inspiring our
little band, who shed the first blood in de-
fence o. American liberty. with valor aud
slrength-bid them tell their fellow citi-
zens of the colonies, that the awful crisis
had at length arrived, when they must die
slaves or live freemen Imagine 1t you
can. the effect this FIRST blow had upon
men, who had so long grosned under eve
~ oppression, the caprice OF the English
government thought fit to in6ict
Then il was. that the patriotism OF
Henry displayed itself ~ its brightest CO.
Tors -then was exempli6ed that noble dis
interested love OF country, which marked
the character of all those venerable patri-
OTIS, wro signed the declaration which has
Just been read; and who pledged to each
other, their lives and fortunes and sacred
honor TO support the Inalienable rights oil
mankind. Trace thence the various sue
eesses Of the revolution, until the cloud OF
misfortune and defeat lowered Ger the
shores of Long Island. aud at last burst o.
yer the head of our Washington; here, all
ter decisive defeat, view him, always
guided by the kind hand Of Providence,
drawing off his worn down troops 10 New
York, and conducting the shattered re-
mains oil his army through the ever memo
rabe fields of The Jerseys, until hope a.
gain cleaned upon his cause.-The cause
of liberty and his country-at the never
10 he forgotten battle on the classic plains
of Princeton, where many OF the conquer
ing mercenares of Britain were slain and
made prisoners of war. This defeat, like
that of The ten thousand Greeks under
Xenephon, carried with il victory, even 10
retirement. Looking then TO the yiclssl.
tudes of the war until the beloved LA Fa.
yette, whose arrival in America, is again
about TO be hailed with the aCclamatlo0s
of a grateful people, having formed
junction of his army with the detachment
Hnder Gen Wayne, awaited the arrival OF
Washington, who blockaded Lord Corn
III
timateiy, on The 10Th OF October, 1881, TO
surrender his whole army TO the combined
forces OF France and America. With this
defeat. the hopes of Great Britain, success
fully TO maintaia the contest, nearly van
ished Glorious day which lighted US 10
peace-when Bntain's proud hosts were
reluctantly compelled 10 acknowled dye that
men fighting for liberty, and determined
10 die honor ably or live tree, could not be
conquered; and we were permitted TO hail
the ascendant star OF honorable peace; un-
mixed with apprehension, and uBadulter-
sted with hostility
AT the close OF this war, we hnd our
ancestors in a state OF anarchy and coDtu
sion. But they elect delegates to ge-
neral convention, who, TO the surprise
of every other nation, established the
most perfect torn of republican govern
ment that ever existed, and which has
been looked up TO by every succeeding at
tempt TO establish arepublic as the model
by which il desired to frame its constItu-
ton and laws. The effect which the esta-
bli.hmenr of American independence had.
not only in Great Britain, but all Europe.
is indescribable. The 6re OF liberty, Which
had been SO successfully k:ndled IN this
couotry, seems to have been transported
with the troops that served in her cause 20
France; they describe 10 their fellow CD
,izens, the happy results ct the American
revolution; and the people seeing the de-
iects OF their constitution, determined 10
deihsone weak aud pusilanimous bour'
bon and erect in the place OF monarch
ical, republican form OF government
But, alas! the spirit Of liberty is destined
not 10 dwell in Europe. revolution IS
effected, but tits only for change OF mas.
ters; and upon the ruins Of the throne on
which Louis tue slxteeuth sat, that once
great prodigy of nature Napoleon, raised
the throne of bis despotisn, around which
he coerced kings aud princes TO bow with
snmnle submission. And France was a.
,san thrown ialo state OF ssrsltlds, got