American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-01-19
From the American Democrat.
DESCRIPTION OF SAM"

'S''NA tP'iiSu VI 'Oa" vas given Wy tlle
Rev. Geo. w. Mitchell, of Washington
city, in an argumentative and most able
speech, which he recently delivered at
Rockville, Md. At point when the
minds of his audience were stirred by
the power of argument and force of
truth, he spoke as follows:
EXTRACT.
And now in this, our day of alarm
and danger, where should we turn our
eyes for help but to the patriotic sons
of American soil? And if we have
any respect for things sacred. any re-
gard for the dearest treasures on earth
any pride of nationality-any love
of country-any of the burning faith
Of our American fathers, and would
not be despised by the world, let us
have reform, deep, thorough, nation
al and complete. And thanks be to
Him who rules the. e.destinies of nations,
already the howl Of the tempest which
threatened to drive from its moorings
the sacred ark of our common safety
and cndanger the gallant ship amid the
fury of contending elements, has great
ly subsidized, and over the platform of
principles laid down by the Americans,
we sec in the distance once more the
star of hope flashing upon our view
And this new American light now cour-
sing its way across the bright heavens,
attracting the gaze of millions of free
men; is destined, we sincerely and re-
ligiously believe, under the kind PROV
idence of God, to conduct our country
through all her dangers to final deliver
ance and prosperous reposc.
That noble and mysterious person
age, Sam, with sound head and pure
coming up from the fires of the
revolution, shaking his hoary locks of
wisdom, and clcaving to the doctrine of
our lathers-is seated upon his war
horse, and, with sword in hand, is fly
ing over the plains of this new world,
bearing down all opposition, with a
purpose as firm as the eternal granite
that supports the earth, that "Ameri-
cans shall rule America" But who is
Sam?
Sam, sir, is the embodiment of lib,
erty. He has the soul of lion, and
carries the American Republic in that
soul. When he speaks he is heard,
possessing great logic, set on fire by
the clements and torch of freedom
His words burn the American dema-
gogue and lash the black heart of polit
ical corruption like the sting of an adj
der. He has wounded both the old
parties, and left an eating ulcer in the
wound that breeds death; but he has
established another,-a National, an
Ameyican party, that will live forever.
Ordinarily his mind glides along in
limpid and glowing abundance, throw
ing up from the clear sparkling cur
rents Of his unadultcratcd patriotism
an image far more lovely than sleep
ing Venus; mean Sans own bride,
the smiling goddess of American lib
erty.
Demosthenes, when laundering his
patriotism over the land of his birth,
under the encroachmcnts Of foreign
and mercilcss usurper, made Philip of
Maccdon quake to the very centre of
his iron heart but Sam, with an i'm
petuosity yet unequalled, has swept
over our land-taken captive the pop
ular mind, and thrilled the beating
heart Of the greatest nation on earth.
Now all master minds, you know, ARE
disciplined in storms. Sam was born
in revolutionary earthquake, on the
4th day of July, 1776--born in bal
lot-box--swaddled in magma charta--
placed in the cradle of liberty, and o.
pened his eyes first in Faneuil Hall.
But, unlike other beings, he soon burst
the bands Of infancy, and stepped right
out upon this new world, and, with
hands upraised, openly, sacrodly, and
most solemnly swore that he would die
if his countrymen could not live free
men. And, in this consccration,p ,plcdg-
ed his life, his fortune, and his sacred
honor. And as the storm thickened
and the awful crisis arrived, this brave
youth, rising in the full majesty of his
strength, and Strengthening his manly
form, buckled ON his armor, and barred
his own bosom to the ficrcest blows and
scars of thunder. Andrushing on with
flushed checks, and throbbing heart,
he snuficd the hot breath Of battle, and
rushed into the dcadliest conflict; and,
amid this scene of blood and carnage,
snatchcd our stripes md stars, and wa
wing them aloft, raised his clarion voice
and led on his noble band of patriots
from victory to conquest and conquest
to victory. lie was tho great moving
spirit Of the reyolution---the mental
gladiator who guided in the councils Of
our hoary headed sages on their blood.
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