Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-12-01
eeyEnNon's ADDRESS.

the appreciation Of his country Is Inc
mos, grateful reward which the gallan.
soldier can receive for his tolls and pc
riIs in her service, did, at the same
time that they possessed a proper sense
Of the good conduct of the citizens OF
the State at large, whilst engaged IN
the late war with Great Britain, select
a few, whose lot placed them in con-
spicuous situations during tina, con-
test, on whom to confer marks OF their
peculiar appreciation.
In the list of such your name is found,
and the following resolution, il rela-
ton to you, was adopted on the 18th
Jay Of February, lsl6:-."Resotred, u
4" unanimously, That the Governor be-
(" and he is hereby requested, to present
",he thanks of this Assembly to Major
"General Edmund Pendleton Gaines,
:" native citizen Of this State, for his
bravery and signal good conduct in
"repelling with grea! slaughter, an at
stack made on Fort Erie by greatly
" superior force of our late enemy, on
the | 5th day Of August, 1914: and that
"the Governor be, and he is hereby re-
"quested TO present suitable sword,
"with proper emblems and devices
thereon, TO Major. General Gaines
+" for such, his good conduct and gal
"lantry." The vote of thanks direct
ed by the resolution having been pre-
sented to you by Governor Nicholas, II
has devolved on me 10 execute. the re-
naming part of the resolution. War
is, under all circumstances, one of the
greatest calamities which nation can
encounter; but neither justice, nor mo-
Iteration, nor impa ,iality, is at oil
times sufficient to avert the evil from
governments of the most pacific cha
racter This was peculiarly the case
in our late contest with Great Britain.
Impressed with the opinion, that the
love of gain was the predominatlng
characteristic Of our country, and that
it would be impracticabIe to drive US
from the course best calculated 10 en-
sure it, evils upon evils were heaped
upon US, till our peace-loving govern
ment was compelled to make the APP
peal TO arms. The result Of that ap-
peal is matter of history and known to
all. The usual vicissitudes OF war &C
companed it. Some disasters, par
ticularly in the early part Of the con-
test, attended our arms on land; but
very short time was sufficient TO satisfy
the most incredulous, that though we
loved peace, when war was inevitable,
we were abundantly competent to meet
its severesl trials Among the promi-
nent events that occurred, your memo
rable defence Of Fort Erie, against
greatly superior force, attracted the
particular attention of your native
State; and in compliance with re-
quest of its Legislature, and as testi-
monial of its high appreciation Of your
conduct, present 10 you this Sword,
well assured it will never be used but
in the promotion of your country's
welfare.
GEN. GAlNEs's REPLY.
Governor: l accept, with filial devo-
ZION, this signal token of the approba-
ton Of my native State.
Virginia, like the celebrated Roman
matron, distinguished as she is for the
care. and kindness with which she has
kept an eye to, and cherished, her off
spring, whithersoever they go, cannot
fail to secure the homage and admira-
ton due to an affectionate, just ard ge-
ncrous parent. That the General AS
sembly should have deemed me worthy
Of so prominent a station as that which
they have unanimously assigned 10 me
among the meritorious citizens Of the
state, fills me with unspeakable graft
tude can promise nothing in return
with the value, set up
on the honor they have conferred
But am well aware that no pledge or
promise is expected from me in return,
other than that which is implied to be
due in common from every other citi,
zen Of the State-that is, facility TO the
commonwealth, obedience 10 the la,rs, and
honest faithful service in their defence
A scrupuous regard to these duties is
all that Virginia expects Of her sons;
and, as to their performance, their con-
d,.ct rather. than their professions or
vague promises, must speak for them.
War is, indeed, as you justly remark
a great national calamity, and nothing
is more true than that neither justice,
nor moderation, nor impartiality is at
all times sufficient to avert the evil
from governments OF the most pacific
character.
Governments created by force and
fraud, and sustained alone by bayonets,
& inflated with their military proves,
go upon the principle that it is not SO
necessary to be honest and Just, as it is
to be ready to crush those who prove
them to be otherwise; they are conse-
uuentlv ever ready 10 vent their Prov
pss on those who are most habitually
devoted to honorable peace. Thus il