Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-07-11


hostile schooner. much his superior both in cn,'
and men: before he came to any determnstior
as to what he should do, he concluded to ascert,;.
the dispositions of his men. Retiring to pl,e.
where he could overhear their CONVEX sation :.
his great surprise and delight, instead Of hear;n
them talk of danger, or express any fearful anti
cipa tons about success, they were in q merrv
eIee at the prospect Of SO much booty. and aIre,.
DIV planning the froiicks in which they shouId
sauanler their share Of the prize, The Amer.
can sailor is unsurpassed for the qualities Of CON.
rage. intrep,di,y, and patriotism. His only idol
Is his fas-hs only ambition to do his duty-his
last words to his comrades, :" Never give up IN.
shiD !" What though the proud naves Of Ens.
land covered every sea, and she was emphaticaliy
what her national vanity styled her, the imperial
mistress of the Ocean, yet the 9 star. spansled
banner'' never covered before the red.cros,
flag Of St. George" Such is the confidence
which brave man always feels 10 his own per-
soasl safety, or perhaps such is his small est
mate Of life, that he can laugh at the scou Of the
tempest, and boldly confront the most imminent
danger. without the least trepidatiOn Or fear
I" Ouid times tn Casarem vehis." The roar of
artillery and the shouts of victory not only rose
upon the welkin from the army Of Washington,
but every where over the broad seas the thunder
of our csnnon was hurled by our gallant tars
against the enemies Of freedom. Our sailors have
nobly INDICATED that not only Britannia, but
America, too,
"needs no bulwsrk,
No towers along the steep;
Her march is Ger the mountain wave,
Her home is on the deep"
will make no apology, felow.citzens, for
the time which have occupied in noticing the
- 4 ID
triots Though they have been so often descant.
ed upon " with words that burE," they are still
and ever will he full of interest; and let u, not
envy the patriotism Of those who can pass over
them as a subject that is :. stale" and =. worn
out" Who can ever read the sufferinss of his
Saviour-the meekness with which he bore them
all for our redemption-wifhout feeling the emo.
lions of love and gratitude to his God newly
awakened!- without becoming boiler and bet.
ter man? Who can ever hear the recital Of dan.
gers and tribuIations which were encountered Nv
those who were struggling for our liberties, which
they at length gl0riou,ly achieved BY their
innumerable and untried suferings, without be.
coming purer and better patriot!
The Revolution closed--the battle was won
and il remained to be seen whether we had the
prudence and discretion to secure the victory
1t was confidently predicted by those who were
inimical to our cause. who could only respire the
atmosphere of royal anti-chambers, and whose
tongues Only knew how to "sylIable and sound"
the '.set and prescribed prisonsong u the cage"
that we were incompetent to self-sovernment-
that discord and jealousy would soon blot out the
fraternzing recOllcctions Of common dangers,
common suferings, common triumphs-of chm
mon rights and liberties-and that we would
speedily and quietly settle down, if not under the
dominion of our former masters, under the usurp-
ing hand Of some daring military chieftain-some
Cromwell or Caesar rearing the fabric of despot-
mism amidst general desolation and dsmay.-
(! ct the lorious experiment Of our institutions,
for period already embracing half century, be
the commentary on this prediction. &" To form
a more perfect union, establish justice. ensure
domestic tranquility, provide for the common
defence. promote the general welfare, and secure
the blessings Of liberty TO ourselves and our Pos
terity," our admirable Constitution was brought
into existence, 50 soon as the old Confederation
was found inadequate to these purposes. How
did the friends OF Liberty abroad-the few whom
our Revolution had awakened to Just sense Of
human rights-how did they lift up their heads
with exultation, and delight beaming in their
countenances; and how were the minions of des.
potism crest fallen, when they saw Us thus calm.
Iy consolidating our Union, and converge into
one great and powerful people.
1t is now, fellow.citizens, about the forty.
third year since the Constitution was established.
-" 1t had its origin in the necessities Of disorder
ed finance, PROSTATE commerce. and ruined Gre
dit. Under Its benign influence. these great in.
terests Immediately awoke, as from the dead, aud
sprung forth with newness of life. Every year
of its duration has teemed with fresh proofs Of its
utility and its blessings; and although our terri.
tory has stretched out wider and wider, and our
population spread farther and farther. they have
not outrun its protection or its benefits. 1t has
been to US all copious fountain Of national, So
ciaI, and personal happiness"
II we cast our eyes abroad, and contrast our
condition with any other people on earth, the al.
vantages Of our constitution, Of our Union, Of
our free institutions, will be still mtre apparent
Look at the distressed and wretched condition Of
our sister Republics Of South America. "Ths
blood, the tears, the anguish and the toll" with
which they have been long afflicted and with
which they are still afflicted without any prospect
of relief Look at England, with her people half
starved and driven TO desperation by their mis-
the most horrd and frighifaii,
acts of violence upon boil persons and -sonerty.
haa honn L.