Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-07-21
JUBILEE.
[ Communicated for the Enouircr. I

Communicated for the Enquirer
The fth OF July was celebrated at the Orange
Springs, where large assembiage met together 10
manifest their gratitude to the fathers of their Ii
berty, and in social ntercour amid Z" the feast of
reason and the flow of soul, TO bury all private
feelings and make their purest Offering upo. the
altar Of their country.
The Declaration of Independence was read &C
companied by some appropriate TemoIks 10y Gen
u. 4. pade, and an Grafton was delivered by Lew
Is 3. Williams, Esq.
GRAFTON:
Freedoms Jubilee has AT length arrived; ano-
Their year has passed, and b. hold the institutions
of our beloved country fulfilling the most sangune
expec alton of fathers. Instead Of their blessings
being impaired they have been strengthened and
Increased. We have great occasion for rejoicing
and haling with delight the of this glorious
this suspicious anniversary; day that calls upon
zen millions of treemen 10 rejoice. Whilst we are
in the midst OF rejoicing and fes:iyity, i, be-
comes US TO remember with gratitude our gallant
forefah hers, who turned their pioug hshares into
swords and marched into the field suffering all The
priyaiions OF he camp TO resist the oppressors of
their country. When recollect the hardshins
they endured the dangers they underwent and
the many vove offerings upon the altar of liberty
that they presented 10 secure 10 their descendants
The blessings which we now ehjoy, their virtues
should be treasured up in our hearts, their example
should inspire our actions, and thus would our
minds with proper estimate oil their service we
should look back upon the history OF the lime,
that tried mem, souls" This to US, will present
pleasing subject OF contemplation. 1t will elevate
our minds and add dignity 10 our characters The
fair fields which now occupy, were but few
centuries ago the habitation and hunting ground of
the prowlng savage The iron B.. ay OF an English
Prince drove many Of his subjects 10 seek Tor sheI-
Ter and repose in The western wids. They landed
upon our shores, and after many haIdships succeed
ed in founding colony. The Aborigines dispu
ted every inch OF ground, but we're at last driven
from their possessions TO the reuotest regions {
the West. The infant colony hourished and grew
in importance so fast, that they soon excited the
attention of the mother country. In a spiril Of
extreme illiberality The colonies were subiec ed to
a most grievous and oppressive taxation. Peti-
tions for redress o! wrongs were presented IN
e mildest and most conciliatory spirit. The moth
er country turned deaf ear TO all complaints The
measures against the colonies increased in severity
a mercenary soldiery garrisoncd In the limils
of our country. Our people insulted, and their
rights trampled under foot. In this eventtu crisis
those manly hearts that danger could not appal,
arose in their might, and stood barrier betw cen
their county and oppression. An appeal TO arms
became necessary. The occasion called forth men
who could direct councils, and lead tie hardy
OF the forest TO victory death. The naughty
Zoe, flushed with conquests, laughed at the exer-
their rights & redress heir grievances; but the battle
Of Bunxer's Hill soon taught them lesson o.
prudence and caution. The alarm soon spread from
end of our country 10 The other. Our w ASH
rNGroS " the first in war, tie first ~ PEACE and
the first in the hearts of his ccuntrymen;'' arose
great in council and mighty in battle, assisted by
band of patriots and heroes and breasted the storm
of war. The contest vas long, doubtful and bloody;
victory at last PEI cbed upon the American Eagle.
The plains of Yorktown witnessed the surrender
of CORVALLIS TO the combined armies of France
and America. The Independence of our country
was ackp owledg and treaties entered into, based
Upon fair and honorable terms. | deem il uDneces-
Gary enter into minute detail oil all the events
of the revolution. The various successes of the
combatants are known TO you all. The names of
TicoDderogs, of Princeton, Trenton and Brandy
wine, OF Monmouth and Cowpens, of Guilford and
Eutaw, treasu ed up In the memories of us all ,
not TO forget the siorming OF Stoney Point, where
Che bayonet was made TO perform its duty, and
revenge drank her fill. Willis, we are adyerling TO
The gallant exploits of our own countrymen we
should not forget 10 do justice TO our gallant and
kind associates. We should MOI forget to remember
those c:ivslric FTencbmen who left their own
IN ere hill. 10 assist US In the contest. They
hed 40 ountry like to defend no 6resdes to
protect; they fought for liberty, in the hottest
which animated the bosom OF the pat
not. Their only need was success and the ap-
Their hearts were warmed by the sacred glow Of
virtue; our wrongs were made know n tIey flew
to redress them. They fought and bed by our
sides. One of them has lately revisited our shores:
he was rewarded by the gratitude Of free people;
his heart was elated and his soul filed with glad.
ness, for beholdng the happy and admirng groups
who slwsys tbronged about him; be could ex-
claim with pride and exultaliob, these are the
fruits of my labors; be wants praise, the appro
haiion Of his own conscience proves bis best re
ward. That they assisted US, should never be for
gotten; whenever this day returns, in Offering up
gratitude to he heroes Of tie revolution, they
should ever ''De in our flowing cups freshly rernem-
bered." The associates aud companions Of our
Washington should be held dear and sacred in our
memories; for although they cannot equal him, car
not compare with him, still they did their duty.
still they fought and bIed, and died for our coun-
Try. Bot this is bsckneyed thsme; almost half
century has inspired the oratory aud poetry OF our
country 10 speak aud sing its praise. deem 4
Unnecessary to make any apology for tie want OF
originality; in this circumstance il may be dis
covered.
Itis not a battle fought, or victory achieved
that will afford instruction improv enent; it IS
not for the friend Of his country, the advocate Of
liberty, and the people 10 rejoice over carnage and
slaughter. The philanthropis will find upon he
I'D Of netls 70 GIL forth al his sympathy,