Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-07-22
THE sorp,ERs OF THE REVOLUTION.

TIE SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
r,trac, from an Grafton delivered Greenbush, New
york. July 4, 1929, by James G. Brooks, Esq OF
the New York Courier and Enquirer -
"Bu, !, il not ours to look forward through
dark and shadowy futurity, 10 see the fabric
Of Americ an liberty tossing on the waters oil De-
ISOLATION! Let US not prophecy the gloom, nor
forctell the tempest. Come they must-ano
dismay, and peril, and destruction must come
with them IL is an idle dream to attribute
immutabili.y and eternity 10 the institutions OF
man Wisdom may forsee-genius may ci>
rect-and valour may uphold-but sooner or
later the voice of destiny goes forth, and they
fall to ashes at its awful sound. Let US ENJOY
the present, and hope for oar Pos'erity tha'
the grey twilight whichcometh from star may
BE- slow in its approach 10 this land OF freeaom:
sioux around, fellow citizens, and behold
YOUR present blessings! Behold your I'M
mense dominions, stretching from the h!isn'ic
to the Pacific Behold the ierlility OF your
soil, the power OF your arms, the increase OF
your population the peace, the happiness,
the pros perity, which sparkle like sun l'gh' al.
over your land. Compare the sltuauon oil
| YOUR country now with what II was MY years
ago. when US fields were wasted by war-'s
no reliance but in God and their own ]us'
cause waping an uncertain contest with the
mebtie,t nation in Europe. Look on the
pjcture, and exut-for never had any people
higher cause for exultation.
| This IS a bright view-but there is dark
one TO be exhibited, al which honor turns pale,
and humanity shudders 10 whom are you
indebted for your freedom, and ITS conconi
tan, blessings? Where are your iathers-'he
founders Of your nalion-the self devo'ed, the
bold, the rrsolute, and high hearted! VIVA,
| reward has been meted 10 their unexamp'eo
services? Wha, honors nave Deen rendered u
their ma,chiess worth? The gratitude oil re-
publics he filth Of republics the honor Of
republics Alas alas are they indeed ou
shadows? or has The :srdy justice so lalel y rupe
from your unwilling representatives redeemed
the character Of the nation and buried the pas
in oblivion? Year after year the grey headee
fathers Of the revolu ion, trembling with age
pale with ?enury and broken in heart, appeal
ed to your Congress, not for charity, but iol
The paymen Of their claims. They trustee
their country in her poveriy-tbey sought no
icr payment until she was rich and prosper
Gus. After long years OF delay, provision wa:
made for settling their claims, coupled, howe
YER, with conditions SO insulting, that .hei
hearts sweled with indignant sorrow as the!
complied. Yes, the soldier Of the revolution
was obliged TO appear in open court, and II
The presence Of the gaping throng, 10 swea
that he was a pauper, il danger Of becoming
the tenant Of poor house, before he could re
ceivr the paltrv pittance allotted 10 him by hi
country. And be it remembered. that thi
was in paymen, of as equitable claim as eve
man held against man. Can you wonder tina
If ,ha, ha hnrl
thus scurnfulIy rfered! 1t is about ten year
since 1 saw one Of these aged warriers, VIII
Judg' OF County Cour. for the pension allow
ed him oy Congress. He was told that h
must gn into court and swear that he was pau
per, before he could receive il. Never shall
forget the A. shing Of that old mans eye-th
angry extension Of his arm-the deep swelIin,
OF his bosom. "Never!" he exclaimed, il
lone as firm as that which once led his follow
ers 10 vic'ory-"neyer will proclaim and re
cord my poverty. reject the pensionn' Tina
was the spirit which grappIed with the lion o
England-that was me arm which hurled
down the banner Of ST. Grorge-tha, was tn.
eve winch never slept until The last vessel y
our D. fled Toe was lost in the con,exly Of thu
ocean, and the earth Of America was unpollu
ied by abos'Il. loot. In one month that ole
man was cprpse-he died Of broken hear,
Shall CHE other instances? Shall tax,
you to the prison house OF Robrr, Morri,-rht
ga"l OF the gallant Barpn-tne c,ld and
d ISOLATE hut Of St Clai'? Can ST. Clair and
Morris leap from heir graves 20 enjoy the long
withheld and lately imrarIed justice Of rheil
country! 90 -oprn their sepulchr.s, and show
er gold into their coffins, and call upon them
TO awake and learn that Republic. are grateful
-and your answer will be still, the awful 81.
fence oil dea'h!. Your gratitude comes too late
WAR Houses. General Wa gton had
two ta'orie horses; one large elegant parade
horse OF chesnut color, high spirited, and q
gallant carriage; his horse had belonged to the
British army-the other was small and his
color sorreL This he used 10 ride in time o.
ACTON; So that whenever the General mounted