Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1833-08-15

support. Not debate Of any magnitude
has been raised, when my voice has not
been heard for the soldier; nor has any
final question been taken, where my vote h
has not been recorded in his favor. Ask
the Hon. Mr.. Robbins and the Hon.
MIR. Knight; ask Massachusetts, Con-
necticut, all New Eng all the north,
all the west, who in Congress have been
the soldiers advocates; nay, above al,
enquire OF the south, always adversary
to all provision for the living and decay
cd remnant Of the once numerous, and
powerful army Of the Revolutioni and
enquire, | say, Of those ardent children
of the sun, who resisted the force Of their
blazing oppositione They may, and
doubtless will, ASST gn TO others more eDi-
cie'at, efforts; but 10 no one more sealous,
more faithful, or more unli''ing service, in,
that great cause, than to me,
My fellow citizens, you may remem-
Der, indeed i trust it is forgotten by no
one, that the provision proposed and first
advocated by me, for the revolutionary
survivors, was more considerable in "a
mount, and more extensive in application,
than that which finally prevailed. 1t was
wished to provide, not only fol the Hring
men, who had endured the prvations and
perils of the war, but also for the ,cido,rs
Of such as had died before their country
gave them any such testimonial Of her
gratitude. These venerable women seem
entitled to the consideration and gratitude
Of their country; not only because their
husbands merited but did not receive any
token of that gratitude; but also or ac-
count Of their own patriotism and peculiar
suferings. Is there anything in the con-
dition of soldiers wife, not altog gether
deplorable Those are the most fortunate,
who may follow their husbands to the
war; share in the tolls of the campaign;
encounter the pcrils of the battle ground,
and bury the mangled remains of all that
was dear to them, on the field where they
fell. What was the allotment of those
women who sent 10 the war of the revo-
luton their husbands, or those ailianced
TO them by engagements equally dear,
while they themselves remained at home,
in all the desolation Of youthful widow
hoodI How anxious were their days and
nights, when our armies were sometimes
advancing on the foe, and at others, re-
firing before his superior numbers; when
rumor, like ten thousand couriers, was
riding post on every wind; when every
drum and fife brought to their imagina-
ton the array Of battle; when the report
Of every gun, though in sport, or aimed
cat beast or bird alone," awak ened them
to oil the horrors of the murderous shot,
or fatal battle field? Are those women,
who then lived, and lived through such
n conflict of anxious horrors; who, at the
call Of their country, exclaimed to those
most dear to them,
t'Rush 10 the fight, bid fhee go,
dan soldiers feelings know,
a tyraht's power abhor:
Can all the patriots spirit feel,
Buckle the spurs upon thy heal,
And belt thee with thy brand Of STEEL
And send thee TO the war;
and who are now in all the desolation Of
want, and age, and infirmity, and widow
hood; do they merit nothing Of their
country, for such patriotism, and such
sufferingsf Examine the reports, and
the debates Of Congress, read the public
papers, and you will their find who pro-
posed and advocated plan for placing
these plOus matrons, Of more than Roman
virtue, these living monuments ofthe high
spirit and noble self devotion of the A.
merican women, in the memorable era
of our revolution; Of placing them, say,
in condition alike demanded by their
merit, and the character and glory Of our
country.
Calumny may prevail, and the people
be deceived, for day or u year; and
sometimes, the whole life of man may
pass away and terminate, before he shall
have worn the stain from his character;
but truth will finally triumph, and justice,
tho late, be done TO human deserving
My adversaries may labor with all the
subtility Of cunning and malevolence;
and you may for time believe them;
for the wisest and best of men have been
deceived and led into error. The records
Of our country can neither be destroyed,
or obliterated. Those records contain a
faithful history. of what the nation has
done for the survivors of their revolution
ary warriors. In that history, may he
seen the names Of all those who have
aided their country in performing this
great achievement Of justice. If among
them you do not find the name of him,
who now addresses you, and whom for
eight years you have honored with your
confidence; then withdraw from him that
confidence and let him 20 down to the
grave covered with inlamy. There is
anotherrecord of this history, and Of those
names. You will find it written under
the scared bosoms on the living and
warm tablets Of the hearts of those brave