The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-08-17
AMERICAN HISTORY.

AMEHlCAN l1lS Oh i.
The oration recently delivered by Nr. B.
F. BUTLER, the late Attorney General, be-
fore the Dialectlc Society at West Point, on
the peculiar duties and obligations of the
American soldier, will be issued from the
press in n. Y. in the course of few days.
The peroraton, which is subjoned, speaks
well for it as a composition. Ii is an elo-
quent extract:
..Whilst all correct and well written his
tory may be read with profit by military
men, let me impress upon you, as fit con-
clusion of this discourse, that the history OF
the American revolution--of the principle
which let to it, and Of the sages and patrl-
OTIS who toied for lis accomplishment, should
be thoroughly studied by the American sol
dier. Accustom your minds 10 the story OF
that mighty effort; let the self-denial, iortl-
tude, and endurance, not less than the more
active virtues by which it was distinguished
be familiar to your thoughts; in your heart
of hearts cherish the memory OF the un'
equalled chief and of his associates in arms,
catch from the alters at which they wor
shipped some portion of their fire; maintain
the principles for which they tOiled and
bled; uphold the goodly fabric of prosper-
ty and freedom reared by their sacrifices,
and of which you are to be appointed guar
dians, and should it ever become necessary,
pour out. like water, your blood IN lis de-
fence.
"Appeals like these, whilst they come
from the honored graves OF the great and
good men who have achieved our independ-
ence, to the hearts of all Americans, address
themselves with peculiar emphasis TO the
inmates of this academy. You are sur
rounded with associations admirably adapted
to awaken the generous enthusiasm IN the
pursuit of knowledge, the love country and
the practice of virtue. Silence spreads De-
fore yen her choicest stores. From every
corner of your encampment--trom the case
ments of your academic halls, you converse
with nature in her sublimest mood. In your
daily rambles, History greets you with some
lesson of nstruction-telling you now ol
the father of his country-that mobiles! mod
el Of heroic virtue-and of Kosclusko-
the champion of liberty and the friend ol
man-and urging you to copy their exam
pies and aspire to their renoWn. And INA
> nothing may be wanting to enforce her pre-
cents, She warns you, in the fate OF Arnold
TO shun the vices which fitted him ior iht
| act of shame and that career OF guilt BY
which his name has forever linked IN th'
, memory of Americans, with that oil hin
who BETRAYED the Saviour of mankind.
With all your studies and pursulls;lron
every rock and glen; from the majestic rlv
er which rolls beneath your feet, and IRON
the mountain tops which point your thought
to Heaven; from the parental hearts arouh'
which your affections so love to liHger, Iron
!. your hoping, confding country; and abov'
, all, from Him who gave you nature capa
+ bic of enjoying the exhibitions oil his po"
u or. of tracing his wonderous ways, and @
> kinding with lofty and virtuous emotions
: there comes a voice TO instruct, to warn'
! cheer you. To those of you who are aoov
i TO exchange the exercises OF pleasures
'" This seat of science for the responslblllue
" and trials of active life, It's tones ar lraugI
" with solemnitv and tenderness which yo
- only can feel, and which should prompt OF
a with every reminiscence OF spot so ha
- lowed, 10 heed and 10 obey the lessons
u enioins, Put on'-such is the exhortato
~ il addresses you ALL Put on the whole
a. ., NOR of right principles; march, with unia
ID tering step, in the path of duty, making a.
= igence and integrity, truth and JUSTICE Il
y companions of your way; proclaim again
- all vicious inclinaiions and each low desl
~ AN exterminaling war; contend for the ma
" telv in this steInest OF conflicts, strive
Il that brightest of victorious wrealhs-il
~ chaplet which adurns the brow of HIM wi
~ rules his spirit, who vanquishes his passion
u % who fights the good fight of faith and v
lJ lJ tue; SO shall you be enabled TO fill up :
y. measure of action and of honor here; al
1G ag when the Captain of our salvation shall sui
i'm i'm mon you to his presence, you shaIl con
,s' m before him with songs OF triumph, ana
N, ceiye from his lips the welcome plauoi'
Ia from his hand the amaranthlne crown
ng -. :,
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