Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1838-07-14

| IHelr lreSluc happiness was changed
into anxious solicitude, for present safety,
and gloomy forebodings OF the future.
The fond mother pressed her infant son
more closely to her bosom, as the chilling
thought went over her, that the fair locks
which adorned his brow of innocence,
might soon be hung to the Indian warriors
beta trophy Of savage warfare! Or in
the true spirit of an American matron,
she feels conscious pride, as she views
in the little germ of manhood, the hope of
future redress OF her country's wrongs.
Such is faSnt picture Of the domestic COLI
dition, which prevailed throughout the col
onies, when the sun rose upon this glorious
day, 62 years ago. Their political condi-
ton, was still more appalling.
Without an army, navy, or revenue,
and without sufficient bond of union, or
coniedcracy between the colonies, to in
sure unanimity of action; yet in the face
of all those difficulties, the colonial Con-
gress hesitated not 10 cut loose the only re-
naming fastening, which bound them to
the mother country and published to the
world their stern resolve TO be independ-
ent and free! Although we owe never
ceasing debt of gratitude, to those, who
thus willingly staked all, upon the altar
of freedom; who gave their blood, until
their very fountains run with gore!-Yet
we owe them much more, for that pure
and lofty virtue, and patriotism, which pre-
served to them, and us, that freedom for
which they toiled.
The history ofthe world does not furnish
an equal parallel, ola people throwing off
an oppressive, and unjust government, and
establishing one in Sits stead, of popular
form, and equal rights. Some ambitious
leader whose meritorious deeds have gain
ed him but too fatal hold, upon the peo-
pies confidence, seizes upon the opportuni-
ty to aggrandize himself Thus the SAN
culinary revolution of France, did but dis
place the Bourbon dynasty to make room
for that of Napoleon. And the Spanish
republics, although they still retain the
name, are little better than military despo-
tism. But our ancestors, by wise fore
cast like prudent fathers, secured to their
posterity all the advantages won by their
valor. Even in that dark and gloomy pc
Rod of the revolution, the fall and winter
of '76; when many stout hearts began to
doubt, and the weak, and timid were daily
making peace with their enemies, by sub
mission,--when the remnant of the Amer
lean army, was retreating before the VIC
torious CORVALLIS, through New Jersey
and the colonies implored the aid of Heav-
en-, as their last hope; by observing day
of fasting and prayer, even then, the col
onial Congress, undismayed, were engag-
ed in drawing up the articles of confeder-
alton; to secure closer, and permanent
union between the States. Wisely fore
seeing, that people when greatly excited,
must, after the first bursts of enthusiasm
wear of, fall into corresponding apathy;
or unrestrained, run into an equally dam
gerous anarchy; and withoutthe discipline
of an organized government, it would be
impossible to conduct the great struggle for
freedom, to favorableissue. The declar-
alton of independence, and subsequent a.
dopton by the states, Of the articles OF con-
federation, not only gave character to the
war at home, and relieved the people from
the imputation of rebels; but opened the
door for negotiation with foreign nations,
for aid in their unequal struggle. Accord
ingly, in the subsequent year of ~; a
year SO suspicious to the cause of freedom,
when the brilliant victories Of Ballston,
and Saratoga, followed by capitulatlon
oft the whole British northern army, burst
like the sun from thick cloud of darkness,
upon Responding colonies; the negotiation
Of the American commissioners, at the
Court of France, was brought to favor
able conclusion, and treaty of alliance,
and commerce formed between the United
States, and that powerful nation.
These events soon crossed the atlantic,
and fell like the voice of fate, upon the as
tonished ministry. They saw in the final
result, their own disgrace clearly depicted.
This Republican Sampson, could not be
held bound by their withes; and must, IN
spite Of all their power, rise like mighty
giant among the nations ofthe earth. Yet
with truly British frmness, they resolv-
ed to carry desolation, where they could
not conquer. And drawing from barbar-
GUS nations their precepts, they overrun
the country; committing acts Of raplne,
and cruelty, unknown in the annals of civ
,ilized warfare. But the days oftheir pow
or were numbered; and the struggle for
freedom was brought to a glorious termn-
alton, by the capture Of their main army
at Yorktown.
In vain do we search the annals OF anti
guilty, for ar event, which can compare,
with this period Of our country's history.
A mighty people, coasting upon the polltl-
cal arena Of the world, from a country,