The Northern galaxy, and Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1843-1844, 1843-11-22


That he would ware the chain no more
| = And yet she loy'd hIn--oh how well
Letwomens fond spiri; tell"
! The expediency of the war Of 1872, between
Great Britain and America, was not so unan-
imOusly acknowledged the citizens of the latter
country, nor was the conflict maintained by
them with the same e~'husiasm and sacriiit +
as distinguished that " ...ch gave independence
to the Union
This aversion to ''deeds of arms did not
however, arise froW cowardise, or efieminacy;
and though some, no doubt, opposed the war
merely from party considerations vet but few,
even of these, were indifferent TO the glory and
prosperity of their country. Many of our best
and wisest patriots really believed the appeal
TO the sword premature, and that friendly ne
gOciatiOn might have removed, or at least rem
edied, the grievances of which we complained
And many were opposed to the invasion of
! Canada, as cOntary to the genius of cur con-
stitutiOn and the principles OfW ashmgtOn; and
they urged that the ambition of conquest, was
Incompatible with the preservation of republi-
can institutions. Thus though they allowed
/ the war to be necessary, they cOntended that
insults TO our flag would be most eilectually
and honorably repealed on the theatre where
and reasonings which, unhappily for the repu-
/ tatiOn of our arms, prevented many OF the brave
and high-spirited young men ofthe North from
Obeying the call of their country, and arrang
ing themselves beneath her standard at the
commencement of the struggle. But, as the
war continued, the thirst for martial fame, one
of the most potent passions Of man, indigna-
ton at the atrocities of the British troops aud
their Indian allies, occasionally overcome the
principles of prejudices Of this class, and many
were found fighting under the orders of ali Adj
mnistration for which they would not have
voted. Yet it was not till Sir George Provost,
presumng on the superior skill of his veteran
legions, and perhaps hoping the disapprObatiOn
! of the war so openly manifested by majority
of the New England citizens would operate TO
| favor his design, made his Eruption into the
States" with the intent of permanent con-
quest and occupation, that the true spirit of
! Yankee Americans was displayed. SirGeorge,
in his proclamation, showed extreme ignorance
of the genius and disposition of independent
Republicans, especially of those he so pacific
ally addressed. lie ought to have known that
the sons of those brave men who had compel
led Burgoyne to lay his weapons at their feet,
would never permit hostile army TO march
quietly through their territory. And he might
| nave iii'it ioS
people from government emanating from
themselves, would be as impoli,ic as futile; and
above all that, from an inrader, the offer pro-
lection, ii peace ful and dncfending, would be
considered most aggravated insult, and prove
the surest means of uniting their councils and
rousing their resistance. 1t did unite and
arouse them efcctually. At the call of Ma
comb, the militia of Vermont, without distinc
| ton of party, rushed to the defence of Plaits-
burgh, with the same ardor and mistaken con-
iidence in the justice and success oftheir cause,
as their fathers had displayed when they came
in the might of Freedom TO the field of Sara
toga!
1t was about four o'clock in the afternoon
of September 3D., 1914, that an express from
Macomb entered the secluded but pretty vii
lage of stsss'f, about 20 miles from Lake
Champlain. His warlike errand was no soon
or told, ,han, as if an electric chord had been
touched, the hearts Of all who heard it thirSted
for the combat. A stout drummer, who actu-
ally laid down the sickle for the drum-stick,
instantly paraded the street, beating most flu
riously to arms, the train of young republicans
at his heels increasing every moment, while
the conscript fathers were hastily deliberating
on the speedest method of despatching their
reinforcement to the aid of the American Gen
era. About one halfmile from the little village,
and entirely concealed from it by an interview
ing hill, stood the dwelling of Captain Ware,
a veteran of the revolution, but now quite too
far advanced in years to take an active part in
military preparation. Supported on his staff,
he was slowly proceeding towards the village,
and inst gained the ascent of the hill, when the
messenger, refining in his foaming steed as he
approached him, exclaimed,-"No doubt, IA
ther, YOU fought Burgoyne, or CORVALLIS. The
red coats are coming down upon Plattsburgh.
VIII you not send your sons to the battlei'
Are the British coming :" eagerly deman-
ded the old man, standing upright, while he
advanced one foot, and brought up his staff
with what he intended for fine military air
.'Would TO heaven | had an army of sons to
fight theml But have no sons hereahouts.
Yet stop, STOP" added he impatiently-'I want
TO talk more about it-you can't !-well, well,
call at my house yonder,-that one with the
maple trees afore it, and tell them young men
there to hasten up TO the village"
The messenger bowed, gave the reins to his
fiery and restless steed, and sprang forward,
while the dust rose as if whirlwind were pas
sing. The house to which the old man poin-
ted, stood on small eminence commanding
the road, and had the appearance Ofbeing quite
ancient for the country. The low old fashion
ed porch, and high steep roof were nearly COW
cred by a luxurant woodbine, which, being
sheltered from the fierce heats of the sun by
lofty naples, wore even at that season of the
year almost the greenness of spring. A tall,
fine looking young man was standing on the
lowest step of the porch, his hat on, evidently
ready to depart; but probably delaying till the
horseman, who came sweeping onwards so flu
riously, should have passed. On seat with
in the porch sat gentleman and lady, both
bending forward to catch view of the stran-
ger, who, drawing up the rein moment roar
ed out in a tone very nearly as loud as a trum-
pet,-"To Plattsburgh, to Plattsburgh, young
men The British are coming l''-And again
dashing forward, was soon out of sight.
George" said asweet tremulous voice, that
sounded, when compared with the harsh ac-
cents which had just died away, like the breath
| ings of gentle music after the tiunder-bolt has
spec, George, shall you go!''