Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-08-09


The scene we are about to describe
has the advantage Of being natural
enough if we make allowance for the
being properly construed. At all events,
there is more than poetic justice in one Of
the features. it recalls good deeds for the
purpose Of sustaining good principles.
The new chief magistrate Of a beautiful
and extensive city-occupicd by half a
million of human beings. and remarkable
for its healthy location, its happy poor,
its generous rich, its scholars and its wits,
its statesmen and its lawyers-held high
levy at independence Hall-the Mecca to
the free men Of Amcrica-the Pantheon to
which the eyes of the whole world are
turned either in hope or in fear. 1t was
spectacle OF surprising grandeur, and
was in itself one of the cpochs of the age.
The onJcct or this ns~eni LInno-E,r it. in
Cluded men who lived in the last century,
and who re-appearcd at this moment up
on the stage Of life to take part in the au-
gust cercmony-wasto to initiate an era Of
new measures, and to open the way to
future, such as never was " dreamed Of
in our philosophy" Judge Conrad
had taken the seat which, nearly
SGHcuLO -CiSllI SedIS aSO' WAS HDpTOpIIb-
ted by man named John Hancock, who
presided over convention assembled in
that very hall TO cut the American colo
nies loose from the British Crown, and
who stood by and saw his place occupied
by stranger, who was about to improve
upon the idea proclaimed in the Dec
laration Of American independence, and
to set an example OpOSterlty which those
men who lived a hundred years ago. had
come from their narrow homes to digni-
fy by their presence, and hear the new
doctrine expounded and illustrated. The
principles upon which Judge Conrad ad-
ministcred his official duties was to be
practically applied, and from the vast
crowd before him he was to procure his
assistance for the coming two years. No
CITIZEN OF FOREIGN BIRTH could be consid
cred moment after chat fact became
known
The roll was called. The first name
was that Of Gilbert Mottcr dc Lafayette
What are your claims to consideration
was the question Of the learned Judge
Conrad.
"They are very few in number" said
n musical voice in broken English. g.
first fought at the Brandywine, lovely
stream in Chester and Delaware counties
and was wounded for the good of the
cause. did some service at Monmouth
induced France to help the colonies with
money and with men. l aided in com
pclling Cornwallis to surrender, and was
present at the siege of Yorktown. Gu
loved the undimnished confidence of Geo
Washington.
"Where were you born ?" asked Judge
Conrad glowing with enthusiasm at these
eloquent and soldier-like details.
II was born in France, in 1884," was
the response.
" How "a oreigncr--an unnuturali,
zed c;tizen," was the indignant interrupt
ton. ".Stand back! These are days when
all acts done by such man are forgotten
and denounced. You are excluded from
consideration by grateful republic."
"Call Benedict Arnold, and let us hear
his sentiments" was the next obserya-
ton.
a voice replied: 81 fought for my
country long and well; but in an evil
hour l betrayed her to the English. l
was born in Connecticut, in 174O."
"That is sufficient. brave and worthy
son. Your cause is already decided in
your favor. l will enrol your name high
in the list of my officers. 1t is enough
that you were born in this happy country.
We will now consent to hear from Baron
Steuben."
A voice answered My name is Frc-
derrick William Augustus Steuben. |
gave my property, and the best years OF
my life to the cause Of American freedom.
fought at Stony Point, at Paulus Hook,
at yorktown, and was, hope. of great
use to Washington. was born in the
old world, one hundred and fourteen years
ago"
"Another foreigner Stand back, re-
tire-your appeal is denied, your petition
rejected"
" Call Hugh Mercer"
To this name a voice replied as follows
" I come from the grave to meet you here
and speak for ohe who died for your coun-
try on the field of Princeton. [ died al
most in the arms of Washington. 1 was
born in Scotland"
Enough-your example can produce
no effect upon me for l have vowed be-
fore Heaven to consider no claim and to
venerate no character when presented by
foreigner"
The name next on the list was that Of
Aaron Burr.
{" have no right to expect promotion
in this hall, sacred to the liberties inten-
ded to destroy. was born in New Jer
scy, in 1856"