Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-02-28


torch Of Liberty hath CLEANED fitfu!iy over some
parts of the globe. and been exinsuished, per-
haps never to be relishted-and pam aud oppres-
sion have been amony the nations with a heavy
and bIlghtins hand Yet one purtiOn OF the world,
not discovered till its first visiters and settlers,
had grown grey in the learning Of lustres and
centuries-had contemplated the political struc-
lures Of their fellows from the earliest per'ods'
yet had neglected to profit by view of their de-
fects--hath come forth as a pioneer IN the march
Of liberal principles-hath pronulsa led doctrines
that are lnsensbly, but not on that account the
less surely. undermining the ciadels OF unrishte'
Gus and irresponsible power, and Frustrating king
doms aud hierarchies lie their progress-spread
Ing content and equality among all within It's IN.
fuence, itself the only spot where truth and
Justice are found in native purity, while all around
il corruption and decay-like the oasis, which
the traveller tells of. in the desert.
A century since the eyes Of him first opened
Oh the light, who was the agent for accomplish
lug this great work. whose life was devoted to the
service Of mankind, aud whose best euloev IS 10
the grateful remembrance OF nation! Becomes
il US to particularize the events OF his lie, to
name the acts which have filled his cup Of fame.
and recorded us among the powers Of the earth!
II were needless to repeat things familiar as
household words."-Eye witnesses. now in "na-
rative old age" still liager on the stage to relate
them-'nanhood contrasts them with the feats of
brighter chiyalry. and rises awed and instruct
ed from the contemplatiOn-the bosom Of youth
responds ia quickeued puIsa,ions at their men
ton: while even the little child obtains it's first ele-
ments Of knowledge in coming the orthography
of his name. Such then would be fruitless task.
Let US speak of his compeers.
1t is remark verified by history and expert
ence, that seasons of emergency have always
produced characters commensurate in nubleness
and energy with the Importance Of the fstatists
they were required to fill. Stupendous traits
of character are rather to be supposed as deve-
Hoped by the urgency of the situation in which
their posse is placed, than that the incidents
atten ding that situation are induced by the pre-
yious existence of such traits Had not exigen-
ces and difficulties occurred to need the assist.
ance of great mental quaifi. atoms, they might
have lain dormant, aud the world might have
passed by their owners as belonging to that indis
criminate million who daily End a ,rave un-
honured and unsung" All periods of time have
been rife in examples Of this fact, and none more
so than the closing years Of the last and the COM
mencemeni OF the present century. Europe and
America have been alike the theatre on
which those examples have appeared. We will
al present, only refer TO the great aud good men
whom our struggle for independence called into
action Of those few can be found who did not
possess all those qualities necessary for success
in the Cause they had adopted. Courage, tempe.
rance, fortitude under the most appalling Difficult.
ties. high srnse Of honor, and stern, unbending
patriotism distinguished most. And when we speak
of patriotism it is not of that feeling which is
the offspring Of public excitement, which hur
RES man by mechanical impulse to float with
the tide Of popular opinion-he creature Of
faction:-bu, of that holy Zeal which inspired
such men as Bru,us. and Sidney, and Henry
Our fathers dared al unequal contest yet were
they not daunted, relying on the justice Of their
cause, for they
Struck for their altars and III cir fires,
Struck for the green graves ot their sires-
God. and their native land!
And does the stranger ask for their mausoleums,
or the minion of tyranny inquire, where be their
monuments and their cenoaphs? Echo may not
answer, wi ere?-but History shal! puint to the
impershable institutions Of our country! Yet
we should not forget that while we have had ma
ny who have rsked all for their country, we have
had some who would have marched to empire
over the slaughtered bodies of their countrymen,
and builded themselves thrones upon her smOul-
dering ruins. And it forms no inapt illustration |
of the remark, that great and daring men are
produced by great political emergencies, to know
that while We have had Washington, Warren,
and Greene, who drew the sword in defence
Of our rights, we have also had one, who would
have bartered them for gold.
1t is pleasing at this day to contemplate the
virtues of that galaxy of glorious men.-The
feelings called into being cannot"be expressed
And shall they and their deeds be forgottens
Forgot no, never, ne'er hall die |
those names to memor, dear |
read the promise in each eye
ha' beams upon me here!
After seven years Of trying struggles and diff !
ticuIties, we Obtained a recognition of that indie
pendence, in pursuit OF which the blood and tears
it cost u.. show the earnest zeal with which we
engaged in it, and our consciousness that it was
just. The events Of that war of opinion are ia .
mlliar to all. Our freedom-sas achieved and
acknow lodged; and We were ere long received as
a member of the great family Of nations Res
pected for her moral ,alor, if not feared on &C
count Of physical strength Imperiously call
ing forth homage for that intellect which had
slumbered in the days Of her vassaage, but which
burned so magnIficeutly On her hour of need melt