Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-04-12

disinteres.e led ambition, OF devoted attachment
TO country and her best interests, than is I,
be found in that hour which tried men,
suuls'-ths revolution of '76.
Upwards Of City years have now elapsed
sirce The American army, in The person ol
NATHAN HALE, lost one Of its faires, flow.
ers. For more than half a century, he has
lain IN his cold grave neglected and for g often;
and while the names Of many who have only
serUed their country, have been trumpeie,l
by the breath Of Fame throughout The world
the name Of him who died in MS defence. has
been suffered To fade away from the memo
ries OF his couutrymen.
Born on the eve of that awful tempes,
which shook the old world TO its very centre
he arrived at manhood Just NJ its gaihering
clouds began TO concentrate in their wrath.
II was at this period 10 our Couniry's hisio,
ny that he closed his academic course and
having graduated at a sister institution, il is
from 'his hour we may date both his public
and military career.
Endowed with mind Of no common mould
he had gathered from the paths of science her
richest and sweetest flowers. Possessed of
genius rarely bestowed, and rightly guided
and directed ny unusual taste and ar,ior in
scientific aitainmenls, he became dis inguish.
ell as u scholar. Beloved by all who knew
him, for those traits which never fail To ex-
cite esteem and affection, lie was equally dis.
tinguished for the correctness Of his morals.
The innt cente Of his habits ard The pu,ity OF
his principles.
In his manners, pleasing in his DISPOSE
ton, mild and ingenious; in his understands
my, vigorous and powerful, he badr fair 10
arrive al an eminence which lew of SINH.
lar age could hnpe TO attain Thus favored
"' heaven ~ the morning of life, no one ever
commenced 10 tread lis chsquered path with
brighter prospects Assisted and encuuraS.
ed IN his career by the best wishes a. heari,
iel' prn, ers OF his associates and friends, he
went forth 10 the iultilWent OF his his h desti
ny. Alas! how little did he Imagine that
disappointment had marked him Tor her
uwnv
The period had now arrived. when the se>
cret hfes, long struggling in the breasts OF
our ialhers, hurst from ;heir confinement.
The friends OF liberty had begun to rally in
her defence, aud The slunbering spirits of her
sons were aroused:
Then Said the mother In her son.
And pointed TO his shield,
Come Tiih il, when the battles done,
w w ~ HoHl me Held
The daring spirits OF the land assembled
q their cry was heard rising high above the
csnnon's roar: Our country .frst-our coun.
Try iasf-our country alwaysP The voice
OF Nathan Hale wss heard in thai cry. He
had seen his oouniry's danger, ana he was
among the hrst 10 enlist In her defence. The
howery paths OF science, intellectual honor
and advahcement-self-in interest, present ham
?Iness, and the endearments of home-were
nll forgotten, aid merged in one feeling
love Of country
Having obtained commission in tho ar
my, he commenced The active duties of a SOL
dier, with the same vigur and activity which
marked his character when engaged in the
he'd OF ii'erature.-Prompt TO every duty.
ms influence here was extensive as il bad been
in private life
Passing over the intervening events, we
now arrive at one OF The most critical epochs
mo when The American army had ever fall
len and 1t was during this period that the
iate OF Hale was sealed. The battle of Long
Island aad been fought; and for little time
the guardian spirit ofireedom seemed 10 have
Withdrawn It's protecting hand.--But il was
only momentary. UHder the guidance of
the Father Of his Country the army was
Lea 10 place oil safety. To the prudence of
washington, under God, are the people of
America indebted for the rescue of their ar.
my al tins hour OF IFS peril. Having retrea-
ted 10 New York, il became a matter of mo.
meni to lie commander in chief 10 ascertain
The situation of the British forces; their
strength, and their future movements. II
were needless tospecify The plan which was
aaop'ea 10 gain the information desired. Ii
II al
sire OF w ashIngton being stated 10 his assem-
bied officers, they retired To their media,ions.
WHO among them was willing 10 undertake
service Sc iraoghi with danger?
Among these officers was Nathan Hale
h"er mature deliberati"n, impelled by o
sense OF duty, he resolved to undertake The
task. Though urged by the pleadinps Of a
friend, not TO undertake service so haza rdous
bis mind still remained fixed stesdfss,: and
no motive, however powerful, could induce
him to ueglec. an Opportunity 10 be u,einI ,o
his country. Being told that his success was
extremely doubtful, and his DANGER immi.
neDt. he replied, that, con scious Of ali ibis
as he be could not consent to witbhold his
services. '-AccordIngly, he passed over 10
The enemy, and succeeded in obtaining the
desired information.
What must have been his feeliocs noy
That he had performed his duty 10 bis couo
sry! What emotions must have filled hrs
bosom, at the thought of returning TO his
great commander, The immortal Washing.
ton, laden with the fruits of his daring en-.
ierPrIze? Iodeed 20 reward was eypected
none was offered, 10 him who should under
take This task. No bribe OF promotion, no
glorious prize, was held out in case of sue.
cess but all that could be gained, at most.
was The approving smile of The Pni.r Ps,r;ap