Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-08-19
ICoNNrN,l,rr.
A Christian Patriot,


l read with more than ordinary interest,
article in the New York Observer, Of tho Ia
lust, headed The Fourth" under III. :,
nature of -. n. D." | cannot misaE. =.
initials, and the writer has touched 2 o...i
which vibrates through a long ser;.. d:
years, awakening the recollection of sean.
and men long since shrouded in the sba5or,
past. My memory wildly recalls the a..
ing of respect ami reverence With What
was wont, 10 early childhood, to regard ,S,,
venerable father" so justly eulosz.j -
the writer. can still contemplate bjs ~
tain, digni6ed figure, and bis meek and r..
nignant countenance.
Col. D. was striking type Of tie M,
itauic character of New England, and Of n.
stern men and unloading spirits Of the ,sr'
luton. He was Christian, feryid and 4.
vout, q man, pure and uncompromisug IN h,
integrity, patriot ardent and eatholj, !,
bis love of country. All men loseI AMI
revered him, and bis path in life, tryi5.,
without pretension, was rradisted BY =.
poblsst virtues Of the Christian, the c,,.s
and patriot. lie was poor, but the sun ps'
elects to state that this poverty was ep,sj.l
on him BY the crimes and frauds Of Others
! from the consequences OF which be wguG
seek no refuge IN technIcaltles or LEGAL .uk.
terfuges. Ia this be emulated the exsI,si
honesty of Samuel Adams, bis IN, del Of 10.
patriot Christian. 10 youth Col. D--b,j
been soldier of liberty, and 10 age it. Dol,
fame still glowed in his heart. The torch
Of his patriotism was lighted at the altar. /.
re, and be handed it down to his descs,.
dauts with faith triumphant Ger b.,
fears"
My recollection Of this excellent man rur.
back to the gloomy period Of the war d:
1872. Too old to again WELD the swori 10
defence of his cOuntry's rights, be gave a..
be had, his prayers, his zeal his awaseuin.
spirit, to the cause. Liberty, practical 30.
Intelligent liberty, he cherished 10 the deer.
est recesscs of his heart; aui his coul;fI,
it's union aud constitution, be loved, | be.
lieve, above all earthly objects.
He was conspicuous, although humbleaa!
retiring in other relations, IN that note
band of patriots, who amid contumely 81!
reproach in New England, advocated the Ew
and sustained the government. My o.:
father belonged to the same class, and W.,
with equal enthusiasm, enlisted in the san.
cause. | remember well the sad day ID
which intelligence arrived 10 our village
the capture of the frigate Chesapease 10.
its crushing weight upon every patrI5a!
heart. wildly recall the expression Of al
guish and mental suffering upon the face (
Col. D, when he called me to the VII.
dow of bis little Office, and with u tremt..:
voice, said, Tell your father that the Chez
Chesapeake-is taken" The good oil p.
triot was unable to artIculate .be tale Of We
and broke down in audible aud proI9Hg;.
sobbing. Iron nerves, that upon the tagc
field bad been mistaken, trem6led Ike q.
aspen at the calamities of his country, So!
her furnished glory brought many tears ir.G
eyes that would have been uumoIstenei !!
any suffering Of his own.
Such were the men, aud such the sIlri.1
that age; ADD may God in mercy allow the;
mantle to fall upon their posterity. Maym
feel the preciousness of the boon We deriTa
from them, and cherish il as the holIest legs
cy ever conferred by patriot srCs upon tbei
offspring; may we love with the same imFG'
ishable love, and maintsin with au cQGa.
zeal, those institutions they carved cut iyru
with their swords and cemented With ,bei
prayers and tears. No pestilerOus sections.
ism contracted their patriotic devotion, o.
fantastic and fanatical chmeras marrei aCi
alienated their feaity to the country, bot l'
ing or dying, their spirits proclaimed lode
pendence now and forever" "a Union, 20:
and indivisible." v. Z. "
August IL, 1853.