Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-08-02
NO. 0@o

loyalty, and hazarding all the sweet en-
dearments Of social and domestic life.
They were unfriended; weak, and want
ing. Going thus forth, against pow
erful and vindictive foe, what could
they dare to hope? what had they not
to dread? They could not tell, but
that vengeance would hunt them down
and infamy hang its black scutcheon
over their graves. They did not know
that the angel of the Lord would go
forth with them, and smite the inva-
ders of their sanctuary. They did not
know that generation after generation
would on this day, rise up and call
them blessed; that the sleeping quarry
would leap forth to pay them voiceless
homage; that their names would be
handed down, from father to son, the
penman's theme and the poets inspira-
ton; challenging, through countless
years, the jubilant praises Of an eman-
cipated people, and the plaudits Of an
admiring world! No! They knew,
only, that the arm which should pro-
tect, was depressing them, and they
shook it of; that the chalice present.
ed 10 their lips was poisoned one, and
they dashed it away. They knew, on
ly, that rod was stretched over them
for their audacity; and beneath this
they vowed never to bend, while sim
gle pulse could beat the larem to "re-
bellion." That rod must be broken,
or they must bleed! And it was broken!
Led on by their WASHINGTON the he
roes went forth. Clothed in the pano.
ply of a righteous cause they went forth
boldly. Guarded by a good Provi'
dence, they went forth triumphantly.
They labou-d, that we might find
rest; they fought, that we might enjoy
peace; they conquered, that we might
inherit freedom!
You will not now expect detail OF
the actions of that eventful struggle.
To the annalisrs of your country be-
longs the pleasing task of tracing the
progress of a revolution, the purest in
its origin, and the most stupendous in
its consequences, that ever gladdened
the world. To their fidelity we COM
nit the wisdom which planned, and the
valor which accomplished it. The
dust of every contested mound, Of eve
ry rescued plain, will whisper to them
their duty, for it is dust that breathed
and bled; the hallowed dust Of men who
would be free, or nothing.
There, in the sweet hour Of eventide,
the child of sentiment will linger, and
conjure up their martyr forms, He
roes, with their garments rolled in
blood, will marshal round him. The
thrilling fife-note, the drums heart kim
ding beat, will again run down the
shadowy ranks; the short commanding
word, the fatal volley, the dull death
groan, the glad hurrah! again will
break on his cheated ear. The battle
that sealed his country's fate, his coun.
try's freedom, will rage before him in all
its dreadful splendour. And when the
airy pageant Of his fancy fades in the ga
thering mists, he will turn his footsteps
from the sacred field, with warmer
gratitude, and deeper reverence for
the gallant spirits who resigned dear
life in defence Of life's dear blessing.
The feelings, manners and princi-
pies" which led to the declaration Of
the fourth of July, '76, shine forth in the
memorable language of its great au-
thor. He and his bold brethren pro-
claimed that all men were created equal,
and endowed by their Creator with the
right Of liberty; that for the security Of
this right government was instituted,
and that, when it violated its trust, the
governed might abolish it. That cri-
sis, they declared, had arrived; and the
injuries and usurpations Of the parent
country were no longer to be endured.
Recounting the dark catalogue Of abu-
ses which they had suffered, and ap-
pealing to the Supreme Judge of the
world for the rectitude of their inten-
tons: in the name, and by the authori-
.ty of the people, the only fountain Of
legitimate power,Nhey shook offforev.
er their allegiance to the British crown
and pronounced the united colonies an
INDEPENDENT NATION!
What their feelings, manners and
principles" led them to publish, their
wisdom, valour, and perseverance en-
abled them to establish. The bles-
sings secured by the Pilgrims and the
Patriots, have descended to us. In the
| virtue and intelligence Of the inheri-
tors we confde for their duration.
They who attained them have left US
their example, and bequeathed US their
blood. We shall never forget the one,
unless we prove recreant to the other.
On the Dorick columns Of religious and
civil liberty, majestic temple has been
reared, and they who dwell within Its
walls, will never bow in bondage to
man, till they forget to bend in rever-
ence to God.
| The ach;evement of American indie.