Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1847-01-21
ADDREss I,o TIlE voLuNrgGns.

~ - e t0LGAA EAASSs
oniheoceasion ofoaf yolpasser Company, I'm.
der command of Cart. ]. *. Rcwax, leaving
our town Tor he rsedezsous !. Richmond, CHAs.
D. HARDlSo,I Esq, vas deppted to deliver part
ing Address. As i was reqneslesror publication,
we give ], rlass with great plsassrel IN Justice
however 70 Mr.. IL. We dsem ], psopei 10 say. thar
he was only allowed sew hours Tor it, prrpsra.
lion. and Is therefore entitled 10 many allowances
on the part Of orr esiiics.
s-- A
ADDRESS.
ScLDrERs AID voruSzgkRs:
Al your request, L appear before Won on hi.
deeply interesting and solemn occasion, ia OFF,
for myself (ard have no doubt The sentiment viii
Be responded 10 N aees tosefn. the homage and
gratitude Of the people al the Euunty III 5eiserscn
Tor the patriotic and voluntary surrender r.sado BY
yourselves At the altar of yolr country
Soldiers! From the all-engrossing anddull pur-
suits OF lite--from the marts bf commerce and the
feverish paths Of politics andambtion. all classes
have united with ,t,p ingled and unembitefed feel
ings, around that proud flag that floats in triumph
over the land Of the Tree and the home Of The brave
Soldiers in other lands, less favored and free than
our own, where the Sur of Liberty has never shed
chnn's CLEAN and the roar oiIcannon proclaim too
often the sanguInaty triumph OF power oyer civil
liberty, and the proud pageant is darkened by
the retrospect OF battles. the sack OF eities, the
burning Of villages aud the flight andtmasacre OF
thousands before the donqnerer's sword. Not So
Soldiers in the contest in which YOU are about to
be engaged. Il is a contest for the honor and
glory Of our fiag, which trust you will cherish a.
your own honor ard glory, unimpaised and 1nsul-
lied
Soldiers Your commander in Mexico has in
spired confidence in his countrymen, In his past
most glorious and brilliant career, AID an intiu-
ence over the popaarsm mind, BECAUSE u has been
distinguished by equal iirmness, humanity self-
sacrifice and sactcd rsgard forthe rights 81 pro-
perty. The laureled soldier has applied his "a
cuties and efforts to-, the maintenance Of peace
and the unnecessary shedding Of hood, with the
olive branch in one hand and crossword Of retribu-
ton for the insults and njuries of his country in
the other-he drew it from the sGabbard rather as
asuppant than an armed ar6ias His whole life is
illustrated BY an every day Is those practi-
cal virtues which lie at DISCRIMINATION Of all true
greatness. whether in the civ1 pr military depart
ments Of life. And while IND lIistory Of our cona.
try portrays for your admifatfona and example, the
noble aspirations, the patridlisan ard the chvaIry
Of those gallant spirits Of Palo Alto, Resaea de la
uAoutSlCYS -CnIecI 10 at
the same timesa proud testimonial to the glory Of
our arms. May you, soldiers, emulate their bright
example, their deeds 81 glory and renown and
with the courage, gallantry and foresight Of the
hero Of Queenstown heights. exclam as he did to
his buet-thinned ranks, Letus then die arms il
hand-Oar country, our country demands Tile sa-
crifce!" And though yoar achievements may
be won by the blood OF patriots and The sufferings
Of whole people, tbe laurel and the willow en-
twines the chaplet 90 the hcros brow, and many
tear for the gallant dead sadaens the flowing
bowl in which their deeds are freshly remembered.
| Soldiers--many Of you are about TO leave your
homes Of ease and comfort, the fond and Affection
ate partners oil your ,bpsoms, the scenes OF your
early recolections and associations. This istruy
patriotic--a love Of country-sacred love Of conn
try! Art thou the offspring Of a selfish passion
or can gold purchase thee? Never--No, never. .
The peasant clings to his rocky cliff, on whose
summit he sportedin the halcyon days Of his boy
hood even as the igaments OF his heart bind il u
his bosom; but with all his cherished affections,
he brings them ASIAN offering TO the pure shrine
Of his country.
Soldiers-what memories Of happy days and
well beloved companions will rise, painted on the
eye Of memory,in the soldiers contemplative
hours, bringing back its golden morn, its blithe-
| some boyhood, fond father or mother they have
left, the haunts they loved, the paths they trod,
summon you back to all yoa owe ihsm, your mos.
cherished affections Imagination, perchance,
might carry you to the hero's tomb There the
patriot and father Of his country sleeps at the fool
Of his garden, by the side Of his fond associate and
exalted partner. The sculptured column and
proud mausoeum nigh, well, and shonld adorr
that spot. Butsn the scene, as nature has lef
il, in the murrners Of the breeze, in the majestic
flow of the Potomac, and in the solemn snllnes.
ofthe grove, broken Only by the wild birds note
there is memorial for you, Soldier, which
neither the stored urn, or animated bust, car
ever give-a youthful devotion to his natiys4an
and her institutions. Let the same burning thirs
for fame which kindled,if his youthful heart
1 chastened and pure ambition, animate you with
desire TO emulate his noble deeds. The field o
glorious enterprise lies open before yon: be no
recreant Of yourNduty letnot ipglorious passions
lead YOU to forgetthat you are soldiers, and owe
Eyour best blood toyour country. New Ntreaihs
are to be gathered, to be t~ned in the chaplet O
our country renown, and At no period in her his
tory has military dexotion been cheered on hei
4 pathway with more Thrilling rlaudts, nor has hei
brow been encireied with greener wreath than
! that with which America il now ready TO reward
| her gallant sons. Behold her banner floats on
yonder piDhacle-and, crowned with wreaths q
conquesiYshe invites yon 10 her standard. Fol-
low itzzplant it in the Halls Of the Montezumas !!
See Oh the bright scroll which she displays, among
thehumber Of her devoted followers, the names Of
| Taylor, aWorth and Butler--men whose
achievements in the varied departments Of life,
have impaired lustfe to the character Of our coun-
| try
| Soldiers. You are alont to marchin defence
Of your country. May the God OF battles shield
and protect u,4and MAY you return to your
homes and -FOUR kre-sides, amid the shouts and
gratulations Of grateful people. Co forth, and
teach savage peVple tleIrues Of civilization
teach this barbarots nation, who have set 1t de-
| fancc all laws, that this Government knows how
TO stand by her rights and her honor. Go forth in
defence Of yourco sntFy. II Is country Of which
you may well feefIproud-proud Of is physical
grandeur--and when you cxl up it, thrilling
memories, lis record Of brave hearts, and strong
arms, and noble mibds-when you rememhsr i,s
old monuments OF battle. the prayers 81 its pill
grims. and the ASIA 81 its mighty ones. Do We not
feel the truth and beauty Of the sentiment
DuIce q deeSrum EST pra pairia mori.
And who can wonsler that the patriot has edid
for L on is high places, and that the returning
exile, stretching ont bis Erms, and viewing its
shores through gushing tears, has EXCHANGE, 10
the broken accents Of sobbing joy,
1 This i my pRn-ny native land =
CAPT. sAPrlNGT0N,s Address