Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-07-14
GRAFTON.
lac following Grafton was delivered by THosAs
VAN SwEA"iScnS, Esq. Mt the late celebration
OF 'hc Anniversary of American Independence
q, Shepher,lstuMn. Va.

/ OF Wc ANNIVERSARY OF American independence
al Shepher,isto~n, Va.
Friends and Fellow Citizens,
We have assembled to commemo.
rate That brilliant era, in which our
national existence, our indie pend
and our glory. were achieved. We
have convened To celebrate the ami
versary OF that glorious day. the Incl.
plent of our political life, the birth. day
OF our honor and Of our greatness. We
trust that we oil meet as friends and
is brothers; that we here, on the altar
"i our common and beloved country,
sacrifice the last remnant Of political
an'mo>ity. the misguided parent Of the
Necnest bitterness Of spirit; looking
up with unmingled Joy aud admiration
To the star-spangied and striped ban.
ner. the glorious insignia of our indie.
pendcncc and Of our union.
| More than half a century has rolled
out ITS course, and the return of this
day has found US in the unimpaired
! possession of the ample benefits II hath
conferred. The sun of Americas gran
dcur stands full high advanced in all
Its meridian splendour; that brilliant
star, which shone in successful bright.
ncss over her fortunes. is still fixed in
ITS glorious orbit. bright and uno,4 cur.
ed, and maintains its exalted station
IN proud and prclominating triumph.
The benignant eye of Heaven still
watches over her infant existence the
bounteous hand of its providence dis
Penses countless blessings 10 her sons,
aud may It interpose ITS omniscient
arm forever IN her behalf, guard her
from impending danger, and maintain
the thrice-transcendant and ennobled
bulwark OF her greatness in all its orr.
ginal splendour, unharmed a nd untouch-
ed. This Is an august and hallowed
day; It stands the bright and efiulgent
memorial OF the distinguished triumph
OF republican principles over the haugh.
~ and domineering spirit of high hand
ed oppression and tyranny. This day
IS the consecra,ed monument of Clio
rious example to succeeding nations /;
tits the standard around which oppress.
ed humanity hath rallied; the glorious
lesson which it inculcates, will teach
the victims Of oppression TO burst their
letters and TO fly for disenthral ment TO
those means with which the God Of
Nature hath entrusted them.
The declaration Of our in,lcpend-
encc, which vas read tn YOU by the
honorable gentleman selected for that
duty, is the endeared memento Of our
acknowledgements from foreign domin-
ION. Amid the dreadful time Of adversi-
~ and discontinue, its cheering voice
sustained the sinking spirits Of our
country. Ii braced the relaxed and
enieebled energies Of her government !;
1t constituted the glorious standard a
round which she rallied from defeat !;
II was the fountain from which streams
oil redoubled vigor burst forth afresh,
which, rolling onward its RESTLESS
torrents, buried far within its bosom
the last deSpairing hopes Of England's
success. Ii was the brilliant pole star
which guided her bew ildered steps in
days at trial and perplexiiy: il was the
/ bright beacon fire, shining from the in
destructibe height of Americas des-
tiny, which illumined her councils, and
lighted her embattled forces To uner-
ring victory when the domineering SPIT
rit Of Britain menaced the suhycrsion
) OF her liberty. Over il tho eagle of
! Americas destiny hovercd IN prend
reliance; from il she dartcd The light.
ming OF her vengeance, which shivered
the proud front of the british Lion.
and tollcd tho knell &C death to the last
remnant Of Ensland'S sway. Led on
ward to the combat by the undaunted
and invincible spirit Of the father Of
our country. the heroic yalor Of Colum.
has sons. like the bosom ct dcstruc.
tIon. swept from 'hc face oG her devot.
eel land that relentless oppression
winch had sOaded her with insupport.
able torture. which subjected her to
The noble alternative she adopted. on
which was inscribed IN bright and Iv.
ihS characters, a. the motto Of free.
men. - liberty OF death"
We will but advert Tor single no.
nent 60 that measure which chiefly
oonspifcd to array 10 open and undia.
guIscd hostility tie mauly determine
ton 81 opposition 81 every individual
who ielt an incorporating devotion
to the welfare uf hi- country. The
stamp set, tha' selli-h offspring of a
contracted understanding, and II nj.
guided policy. n lell instiumcut Weld
Ell sy ihe hand ~ de,pois lpr purpose.
81 oppression and en.lst emen'. may
Ja'ily be- regarded q. the Impe Ing
cause Which awakened the nppreben
sioh abi enlisted The resentment ol
every patriotic bo.om. 1acy saw, be
meath tie disguise VIII Whith u was
oloaked. a long extended and dark
iea'nlog que 81 Subsequent tyranny. and
ihchtld With horror tle i.lormed mon.