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

Delivered at the request Of the Washington
Society, by Thomas P. COLEMAN, before the cl'
t,zens Of Alexandria, on the 4th of July 1857
The traveller who wearied and worn by his
;ourney. reaches some elevated resting place,
f.,m which "a he refreshes his tired limbs, he can
Look ba, upon the difficulties which he has over
come. tbe dangers which he has escaped, anu gaze
forward upon the clear smooth path before hi"'
entertains feelings similar to, though not 80 plea
surable as those which pervade the oosoms OF a
people hailing the return OF the anniversary u
some glorious epoch in their history. IL Is 10 'hem
as land mark along the stream OF nme' wnich
by reminding them of what their course has oeen,
enables them To determine what II snail De- IL
is upon an occasion like this, that they recount
their tolls and their triumphs, pains ending win
pleasures, priva,ions followed oy plenty. sunei-
inss crowned with success, and thankful 'or 'ne'r
freedom from the ill.,, which are gone, their tan
cy'sfondly picture the good which Is to come, sao-
some reioicinss for the past, pleasing anticipa-
,ions far the future. 1t is upon one If these &C.
c,s;ons that we are now here assembled. 1t ~ up.
on one of these DAYS that We have seen IT'S dawn
disnellnp the cloudy column which issues from
,he cannSns mouth, that we have been moved ny
the martial music string sounds, that the breeze
unfurls the bunting's stars and stripes IL Is the
Natal day of our Nations Liberty. WHO'S there
that does not gladly welcome its approachs WI"
is there that does not join in the DEMONSTRATORS
of ioy. which every where mark its return: It's
upon such an occasion thatwc pour out our thanKs
that il is permitted to US to 1--we IN this iaVnreu
land -of Freedom. 1t is upon such day that
learning truly to appreciate the rich legacy De-
nne,thed 10 us BY our ancestors, we >uppiSaie
film. who tolleth the destinies OF Nations a. ~
tho holIow ef his hand, to enable US to transmit
Il 10 our pos,eri,y. the value Of i eahanceh ih'
.-sy-r-rrITst Ne are linking In the ine xnaustible
sweets of the fountain of Liberty, we canno,
avoid recollection Of the diff ulties encounter.
ed in letting in its streams upon Us. Whilst we
are reap,ng the rich fruits OF agalden harvest.
we cannot forget, that the soil was prepared by
our Fathers labors. that the seed were nurtured
by our Fathers blood. 1t is natural to revert to
the dread struggle consequent upon the act, which
we are this day engaged in concentrating. We
will draw aside the veil with which fifty years
have Contained the scene, and behold little band
conteuding against a mighty foe from without,
and harrassed aud embarrassed by discomfort and
dissffac iion from within, establishing what is now
free. independent and happy America. We
will see them when all was dark and lowering.
when danger aud dismay stalked frishtfulIy be.
fore them, when success was only tn Oe seen no.
yering over the efforts of their foe. and disap-
pointment had rendered them almost deaf to the
ENCOURAGING whisperings of Hope, persevering
with more than human energies in a contest, in
which defeat would have been sure passport to
death. and liberty was the only spoil Of Victory.
The war of the Revolution was truly won.
drous war, surprise is not the least Of the feelings
which the result is calculated TO awakea-enter-
ing into a contest deficient in numbers deficient
in SUPPLIES, deficient in discipline, performing
marches which would have tired the swftest limbs,
enduring hunger which would have wasted the
strongest bodies, and encounterins toes before
whom the stoutest hearts would have qnailed, we
triumphed over a Nation which had marched
to the topmost height of Martial fame.
The struggle was one in which our forefathers
had every thing to lose. and apparently but little
20 gain. The separation was one, into which
they reluctantly entered: they were loath to rend
asunder the ties by which they were united to
their Parent country. A prominent actor. in the
ever memorable scene enacted upon the day Of
which this is the anniversary, one who held on
high the torch which the frequent crneIties, and
oft repeated acts of oppression on the part of
Great Britain, kindled throughout the land, dis
covered the sentiments Of the American people.
when he thus expressed himself-"l am sincere
Iy one ot thOse VINO ~ou'u 'auier ue ih uePeu.
dence upon Great Britain properly limited, than
on any Nation upon earth,,o or titan on M Nation.
But Fam one Of those, TOO, who, rather than sub
nit to the rights Of legsIating Tor US, assumed by
the British Parliament. aud which late experience
has shown they will so cruelty exercise. would
lend my hand to in the whole island in the
ocean"
They petitioned for a retributiOn Of their
wrongs; they prayed for cessation Of their grie-
vauces; but their petitions did not procure the
wished-tur end--their prayers. il not unheard,
were a, ieast UNDECIDED, Quiverng with sense
Of ii lries which they could not redress, and
o.n,ias apder burthens from which they could
nnl feliese themselves, they resolved to enforce
thstwith tie sword which milder means had fail.
2: ~ nbtainins Bni even after they had enter
ea INTO the contest, there existed many induce
tnen,s for them 10 retrace the steps which they