The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-05-28
From The .New Hampshire Patriot.
EFT Fl A N A Ii en-.

TIE true character of this distinguished pioneer
of liberty and the wilderness is fast fading away,
like the light of the setting sun, even from the aged
Fashionable fanaciSm, in the exercise of its des-
potic power, has but too successfully attempted to
east a dark obiivious mantle over his bencvolence
and philanthropy as II citizen, and his chlyalrc
achievements as a soldier Memory should not
tire, nor national gratitude be withheld, from our
patriotic grandsrcs, BY whose labor and sacrifices
our birlhrgh,s we've secured, and our Liberties made
free from danger. Of Colonel Allen little is TO he
found in the dea,hlcss pages of our national story
that gives any thing like fair picture of his true
character. The numerous divergng religious sects
in New England, regardless who contributed to
give them the sacred privilege TO worship their God
''accordinr TO the dictates of their consccncos and
reason" seemed to have joined in one grand cho-
rus, to chant the infdelity of Ethan Allen. His
patriotic services for his country which procured
the liberty to religious sccaranism TO criSi, is by
them written upon water, while all his expressions
of faith, differing from the measure Of their several
crccds, seem to have been engraved on brass and
MARBLE Allen was MS bold and independent
moralist, as he was brave and daring as soldier,
which proves him to have possessed as much hon
esty of heart before his God, in tho one as patri
ctsm and courage before his country in the exer-
else Of the other.
war; or true courage exclusively to the battle field
1t required as much moral courage in Thomas JEFF
ferson to break over the bounds ofllleglinate sla-
vcry-to ,rample under foot the political crecds Of
hearlless despots, and TO storm their strong for
trcsses by the Declaration Of Independence, as I,
did for Ethan Allen, two or three months before,
and without even the authority of that declaration,
to storm the fortress Of Tconderogl, capture Crown
Point and the only British armed vessel upon the
lake. Where was Ethan Allen about the break of
day on the 9th of May, 1775, two months lacking
five days before independence was declared lie
was at the head Of eighty three men close under
the guns of the British fort Tconderoga, address
ing his brave volunteers, " am going (says hey
to lead you forward. The attempt is Desperate
wish to urge no man against his will-those who
will follow me, poisc fre-locks!" They were all
poised. "Onward my brave fellows" said AL
len, and led the wey through the picket gale pass
ed the covered way, formed his men IN the fort,
and instantly rushed into the quarters Of De la
Place, the half-dressed and terror-struck comman-
der, and demanded the instantaneous surrender of
the fort. "In whose name do you demand 1t ~
asked the trembling De la Pace.-lt surely must
have been at that time under all the circumstances,
rather hard question TO answer" In the name
of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Con-
cress" De la Place concluded that if the "Great
Jehovah" had sent such desperate looking fellow
at that time in the morning 10 take the fort, he had
better give it up, and did so accordingly. Having
secured that important garrison for his country, he
FASTENED onward, and before the brilliant sun Of
that day set took Crown Point, and captured his
sIajesty's only armed vessel on Lake Champlain.
This was the first conquest our country ever
presumed to call for herself and this was our first
acceptable offering upon the altar Of liberty, at
which, may il never he forgotten, Ethan Allen Of
ficiated as high priest His after services and suf-
ferngs in the cause of his country, during the
en- years war of the revolution, though but par
tally known or appreciated, come not within the
limits Of this communication and are passed over.
At the close of the war, Colonel Allen took up u
large tract of land in Colchester, Vermont, upon
which he labored with great industry and skill, un-
ii, he onnd himself in possession Of one of the lar
ges and best farms for that day in the State. Ills
great barns were filled with good hay. His grana-
ries were overlooking with wheat, rye, corn and
oats His mansion from cellar TO garrett was well
stored with all the comfortable things tho country
afforded.
Mrs Allen was a benevolent, kind, moiherly,
minister loving matron, who never permitted hun
ger TO remain unsaiisfed one minute in her house.
Above all things she esteemed it her especial pri-
vilege, to wait upon " ministers Of the gospel" Of
all demon nations, and TO see them refresh them
selves with snut-cakes,' 'nap-jacks,' pumpkin
pies, spare ribs roast turkies. 'sausages, &c.
washed down with plentiful libatlons Of good tea