The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-05-02

stiiution Of Poland. u I79l This interval, how
ever. ot apparent inoetion, YVES most usefully
employed 10 ilumine the usental darkness which
enveloped his countrymen. To stimulate the
ignorant and bigotted peasantry with the hope Of
future emancipation-to teach proud but gal
liant mobility That true glory is only to be found in
the paths Of duty and patriotism interests the
most opposed, preJudices the most stubborn, and
habits the most inyeterafe, were reconciled dis
sipated, and broken. by the ascendancy OF his
virtues and example The storm which he had
foreseen, and for which he had been preparing,
at length burst upon Poland. feeble and un-
popular Government bent before its fury, and sub
United itself 10 the Russian yoke Of the invader.
But the nation disdained to follow its example in
their extremity every eye was turned on the hero
who had alIenAiy fought their battles the sage
who had enlightened them, and the patriot who
had set the example OF personal sacrifices TO ac-
complish the emancipation Of the people.
| kosciusko was unanimously appointed gene
ralssimo Of Poland, with unlimited powers, un-
I'll the enemy should be driven from the country.
On his virtue the nation rcposed with the utmost
confidence; and It IS some consolation to reflect,
amidst the general depravity of mankind, thar
two instances IN the same age. have occurred,
where powers Of this kind were employed solely
for the purposes for which they were given.
"It Is not my intention, sir, TO follow the Pc
| lish Chief throughout the career OF victory,
l9hickr q considerable time, crowned his ef-
forts. Guided by his snienss, md led by his va
lor his undisciplined, alarmed militia charged
with effect the veteran Russian and Prussian
the mailed cuirassiers Of the great Frederick for
the first time, broke and fed before the lighter
and more appropriate cavalry Of Poland Hope
| filed the breasts Of the patriots. After long
night, the dawn of an apparently glorious day
broke upon Poland. But, 10 the discerning eye
of Kosciuski, the light which il shed was OF that
sicky and portentous appearance, indicating
storm more dreadful than that which he had re-
sisted.
| He prepared TO meet il with firmness, but
with means entirely inadequate. Tothe advaa-
| tages OF numbers, OF tactics, of discipline, and
| inexhaustible resources, the combined despots
had secured faction in the heart Of Poland
And if that country can boast of having pro-
duced its Washington, it is disgraced also by
| giving birth to n second Arnold. The day at
length came which was TO decide the fate of
nation and hero. Heaven, for wise purposes,
determined that it should be the last Of Polish
liberty. Il was decided, indeed before the bat
| tie commenced. The traitor Ponisli, who CO.
vered with detachment the advance of the Po-
lish army, abandoned his position to the enemy,
and retreated
| "Kosciusko was astonished, but not dismayed.
The disposition Of his army would have done
honor to Hannibal The succeeding conflict
was terrible. When the talents of the General
i
batants, the arm Of the warrior was brought TO
the aid Of his soldiers. He performed prodiges
of vaor. The tabled prowess of Ajax in defend
ing the Grecian ships was realized by the Polish
hero Nor was he badly seconded by his troops.
As long as his voice could guide, or his example
fire their valor, they were irresistible. In this
unequal contest Kosoiusko was long seen, and
finally lost to their view.
Hope for n season babe the world farewell
Il A ckcdy hon KoSrin SEo fill
Gle fell, covered with wounds, but still sur
vived A Cossack would have pierced his breast,
when an officer nterposed. Suffer him to exc
cute his purpose said the bleeding hero; Il am
the devoted soldier of my country, and will not
survive its liberties The name of Koscusko
struck to the heart Of the Tartar, like that Of Ma
RUS upon the Cimbrian warrior The upfied
weapon dropped from his hand.
"Kosciusko was conveyed to the dungeons of
Petersburgh, and, 10 the eternal disgrace Of the
Empress Catharinc she made him the object Of
her vengeance, when he could be no longer the
| object OF her fears. Her more generous son re-
stored him to liberty. The remainder of his life
| has been spent in virtuous retirement Whilst
| in this situation in France an anecdote is related
of him which strongly illustrates the command
which his virtues and his services had obtained
over the minds Of his countrymen.
In the late invasion Of France some Polish
regiments, in the service Of Russia passed
through the village in which he lived. Some
piaging of the inhabitants brought Kosciusko
from his cottage When was Polish soldier,
said he, addressing the punderers, the property
Of the peaceful citizen was respected And
who art thou said an officer, who addressest
with this tone of authority p & am Kosciusko'
There was magic in the word II ran from corps
to corps The march was suspended. They
gathered round him, and gazed with astonish-
ment and awe upon the mighty ruin he present
ed. Gould il indeed be their hero, whose fame
was identified with that Of their country2 A
thousand interesting reflections burst upon their
minds; they remembered his patriotism, his de-
voion to liberty, his triumphs, and his glorious
| fall Their iron ears were softened, and the tear
of sensibility trckled down their weather beaten
faces. We can easily conceive, sir, what would
be the feelings OF the hero himsefin such scene.
i His great heart must have heaved with emotion
to find himself once more surrounded BY the com
panions Of his glory and that he would have
been upon the point OF saying 10 them,
Behold your General come
To lead you on to laurcld victory,
/ To fame to freedom
"The delusion could have lasted but for mo-
ment He was himself alas miserable cripple !;
and, for them! they were no longer the soldiers
Of liberty, but the instruments OF ambition and
tyranny. Overwhelmed with grief at the rehec-
| tion he would retire 10 his cottage, 10 mourn
aresh over the miseries Of his country.
"Such was the man, sir for whose memory
ask from an American Congress slight tribute
Of respect. Not, sir to perpetuatc his fame, but
our gratitude. His fame will last as long as
liberty remains upon the earth; as long as vo-
tary offers incense upon her altar, the name Of
Kosciusko will be invoked. And it, by the com
mon consent of the world, temple shall be
erected TO those who have rendered mot service
TO manknd-if the statue OF our great country
/ man shall OCCUPY the place Of the Most Wor-