Western Sun & General Advertiser, Volume 9, Number 32, Vincennes, Knox County, 11 July 1818 — Page 5
WESTERN SUN EXTRA
BY ELI II V '-TOUT.
a lv
Delivered ;.' the celebration of ovr hs
Llonai i . Ip :naeiice, Ju.v L 1
. 1 1 i I M 1 . W I HO H . 4 ! N felloW Citizens, Ulon vo r'. -. lv: gribtlnfcss shall perhai i -v act unwisely, i ii omitting the ust ; ! ': 0 of you h and inexperience. I uw Myself we'.i enbu h to believe tr - ra.i r: t&ict i :i M bf mv own coi
ty place mo 1 e ; ,-,vt I have on
o X l ;!i iWll ii i
is fche task witfrou pV --a of feehW a;. 1
I VOW. 1H Itl!
9 rbotdt tied t-. asapprehension ; embarrassment,
must thoretore plead my excuse, for eirtr or oi weakness you may tli i over. 1 e ! i .-of i :-n in his progressive aje from elavcryto free om is hap r exemplified by the distinguished SiOCasI Ki on whh h we have new met to-f-sther occasion Which cannot fail to etoble ti e feelings and cement the affec-
t ns ct our I
v : nam a Virtuous tid nm ed Mnnli
ffience the celebration of our national
- -v C It lz .".is, so ion;? ;.s V." J
should Le viewed as a solemn
birthday
' My. that the principles then established iuay Jbe renewed in our memory and if I ' lc more strongly engraven in our hearts To Follow the first Bunt dawning of th tl spii jt and intellectual vigour, Which L l! ide to liberty at; i national happiBe ss, from a state of darkness a d distracted thraldrOm ; to picture that energy and in i rnanimity of soul with which the pOW fers ol mind expands as oppression ceases to opei at- ; to contemplate in its maturity the .';ji; ol our revolutionary warriors
ges,
and to !o so at this haoi
i
cd bv
(.'Ire the Dl -:lar a-
V1NCENNES, SATURDAY, JULY, 11, 1818.
(Vol. P. "So. 32.
Ins native Colony, Virginia Ktar him stood nru, properly styled the ie ro ct America whose talents and usefulm js ah acknowledge, and Samuel Adamn who tor firm unconquerable virtue was a ato-for ardent love of liberty a Hamfi. di There also was Jc- who for eloquence ami learning was a Tolly. Cl se 1 1 .t ii' side stood t their compeer i.i
i jTience and intellectual worth mild, the polite, the generous with Chasfy Dickinxon and an orthios : w amidst this galaxy u Washington was theattrac-
f ,e': aid e i irri -n; Host of V of aienl live, the that the
commaiit ine s ar.
wonder
jti' cture is a glonOUs an ennab c task. Party spirlr !ns rio lost all sources f dissentioii, a.i 1 w latever diflTrenCes opinion on loca or k'vw sub"; xt may continue to ext, tliere is nothing-to ---citc a blind relhttice upo :).jrrt i:jl.'.iVdi'y. r.r de den ardent patriotism. TmS, mvidtous epit ets of F J rafi t 4nd Oi moctat have lost their magical influence, and ;v iOvi men are no toneet s p-
niere ..ar.ies n fct, v atever r in r i rr afJ t nation. I . IiAirs.
. (-; it. i i altogether founded at this rime, on aincei it v a td moral rectitude. Such a - ' de o public f elmg an I national una tii nityit was not the lot of our Ioin feti et-s to enjoy ; but their giorious efforts pro duced them an-1 he (U. athed thcii' guarantee to our safe keeping. M iy the hat lowed principles be preserved unaffeC ted by time and Unchang d by circttmsi inces ; tn y neitherthe rune I ami of f iction zoHhin nor the vioience of despot ; tU Oitout be ever able ta mov the i i fotmdatio oftliat temple r ared by the c knius a id cem ntea by the wisdom
e s iv ASH1 N : I in
This dec! .r itiOU fciiow - itizens W1 ieh you iave now heard read, ho to ned u .n the divine and natural rights 1; 'stowed upon man by his creator make, v u acquaii ted hot o ity with the cacses which produced but also with, tntmy of the ulterior events it occasioned. It has heto ne so dear so familiar to us ail that K's history might t is y he rjelld, from t e wilds ofthe Missouri td the gardetia i f the East in a numerous nations eves. Twasby it we scvercdtlie. debasing eolo- : : tie j twasoh St our successful conttiet was ptediCat' a. and to it we owe everlasting gratitude, and anniversary tejd'ongi Shall i recount tl,e names of all the statesmen and heroes whose blended valour :id wis lorn achieved it I I believe this to 't u mecessary as their names, with that of It 8 trreat aut or -ruVrson are already treasured in your memory their worth impressed up vour hearts. Y t i would cheerfully pourtray them tumour view had it not been done elsewhere, by those who shaded in their toili and now participate in their glory I wi'l only notice the names of ome of the
illustrious patriots whose firmness pm i-
lon , lU the first (xo",ess ron-
delphia In ITT4 pointed
is vista of time to what should
Who ad pted plans to en success, and rendered it
v Immtible with the safety oftheircoun-
t.. honor and liberty, to as1, a Fair rr. t . ' i it i . li this Immortal assent K, of if M Wt Rod WvMtnTuov tittt latittetoswa) in council as in the field, the ardent admirer and supporter of our ruhUf taiwngit uc depvum aM by
states, with such a sample of
their sons, (a just specimen ofthetii'ave and generous people whom they served,) should bv acting upon their rounci s enjov the freedomrcquired t7 ? happiness
anticipated, ibis first congress asked a reconciliation n ith the mother country, on such turns as would Secure our safety and our rights. But the lieu rl tv ' ritons required nothini less, th in unconditional submission Their unyielding, arrogant and superciliouS spirit, manifested a determination, to coerce us by t ae force of arms to submit ; ar. i it h lallv became as was v. isely foreseen, the duty of the second on-gi-ess to prepare to repel the assault. War had presented her grim visage, and with vi ' our and firmness they provided for the conflict. Washington with diffi encc accepted the high and responsible trust of commander in c Kief at this awful crisis ; but with a magnanimity unexampled, he declined any pecuniary reward. It would he needless for me to describe his actions, or the actions and conduct of all his meritorious assosiates, t irough the memorable struggle The faithful historian and accomplished poet, to whom the theme properly belongs have already transmitted to postenty the courage unshakqn by disaster ; the spirit not to be conquered ; the knowledge not to be bewildered and the enter prize and skill, that intimid ned and astounded the enemy. Suffice it for me to saw that after eight vears incessant warfare, the hirelintrs of Britain were brought to submission, and tNo United St ites assumed a!ofv rank arnon- ii 'i1pendent nations May our sons and sons' son.s, ever preserve it Tav they ever cherish guard an'1 protect the precious the i n aluable boon ?vlv fellow citizens will discoverthat I take it for granted there is not one in tins assembly, who rcuuires now to be informed of a'l the attendant circumstances of our revolution: and as the blessings which it produced all have experienced, T take it also for srranted, that the principal events were earlv fixed "n vour memory, and tNat ? recapitulation of them Without an analysis, and impartial comparison with events which have since transpired would render but a small benefit. The United States after thev liod sei tired their independence had vet to mntend vith many cvi's. Their treasury Was emptv ; their credit reduced : their laws not imperative, and the st"ts and general Congress, mutually jeatoua of each other's power. These were or.lv some of tve evi's which demonstrated the want of a Federal Constitution and bv calling forth all the talents and wisdom ofthe different s afs, p'odneed the one in which we now participate Tt had become requisite to unite conflicting interc its , to ha' ish the uneasiness of peonle almost reduced to anarchy, to recoMei'e various opinions and to pmard d poaerve the noble work had before achieved The tsk assirrned to t5,e ronVentioo appointed to frame it. wns t. duons ; for the poonlo were dissatisfied and fearful ; a hazardous experiment had ther"frx become necessav ''"' c h'storv of nations. offhe wole world, a;T rded few precedents or examples o
the exc ption only of the HOLY B1B3 1 view ii ia itself, beautiful in every particular, and the only legitimate and correct standard of political rectitude ; t".e only undeviating polar star for legislative conduct if et this stupendous fabric f human wisdom, so well ca!cuaved for h ppiness and peace, and so admirably fitted for all the purposes of war had, after being ratified in general convention, to encounter many difficulties. Aithougli framed judiciously, an important point remained ; I allude to its acceptance and adoption by the states. Jealousy and diveisified local interests had nearly stifled in its birth this uist anchor of patriotism and national freedom. Even Virginia, the great auther of the measure was long divided v. lien under the auspices of Washington, wisdom prevailed over foity ; order over anarchy ; and by its adoption, human liberty was I trust, irremoveably fixed and establisl cd. Immediately after this great event, harmony was restored amongst the states; justice held her impartial scales; agticu lure began to floui ish ; commerce covered every sea with her swelling sails, and under the steady hi nd of the immortal Hami,ton, our credit was renovated, and the strength and confidence of the wearied slates, were firmly cemented. Put our poiitiea salvation had not been long enjoyed we had only escaped from thf dangers withw Inch we had been threatened, when the French revolution ci ated a ferment amongst ali the nations of Europe Even our distant shores could not escape its effects It approached us under the specious garb of Liberty Liberty, dear to every freeman, every American heart. But the argus eyes ol Washington discovered the c icat. His sagacious mind perceived a w mt of that solidity, on w ie i a te iple of Liber-, tv could be raised ; and as he wiselv foresaw, u tea in the event, throuu impious licentiousness more s Locking to humanity than despotism it It" Out of t is revolution grew a mi itary government, 1 uiit on the phantom not tae rea ity of liberty i and it has now crumbled, to make room for another, of a different complexion only. We were seriously threatened by the existence ol the former the latter under the present order of things, has not the power to follow such an example T .is revolution however, agitated the worst p vssions of the worst materi ds in the o'd world. The animosity of the ambitious government of Britain, ex ited by our revolutionary conflict, had not entirety subsided ; and unjust blame was attached to us on account of the measures pursued by the ruler of France;. Indeed in botii the countries, tliere were
t i ;e tl
lem
T' e character and nature
of man were to bo examine 1 in aM their contradictory retations, and t,-,e human ' art resti c ami developed bv means lv fore untried. But their "mwera of reason and foresit? t expanded with the task, ann. te prsni constitution of t' e United St ites, with but few changes, v as procure 1 Could I do justice to mv own feelings in regard to this most consummate production, for the equitable pm-' correct ro. v rnment of nian, ( Would say much more than is necessary here. 1 believe if o be the most blessed composition
not a f w who panted for another fair opportunity of renewed revenge The unjust conduct cf France, on the one side, and the equally unjust conduct of England on the other, added probably to our own too anxious desire to remain at peace, afforded t Jj opportunity. But at the moment it as firt expected that war would immediately ensue, our energies were not called into exercise Toe govomment ofthe United State-- too hum me to shed blood, at the altar of political pride too prudent to haza d her posterity for the punishment of trifling aggressions!) continued even after a pusillanimous attack was male upon one of our national s' ips to contemplate the conduct of I rrain with more than dignified magnanimity. But this had no effect the resentment of the Lion was unchanged. The same insidious and dangerous cm duct continued to be manifested in wuous ways, until the tutelary e;o I of 1776 who had ordained our fi. Ids to bloom in richnes and plenty, that the oppress I might here enjoy an asylum from bond
;e, called kamr on our nation il coun-
T .en Came war at last, after long
endurance and increasing insult; when the spi.it ofthe people was almost wea ried by injurious expectancy, without vigorous preparation it came, when the nation was not so well fitted to withstand the shock as when her wrath yi first enkindled But it was bon e with firmness, and coni lu led leaving us at last, an immense gainer by the conflict We gained wisdom from experience! and we taught an inveterate and haurhty foe to respect and foar tue nation she hud invariably contemned we gained not
what we at hrst expected, but what we
rr.n
cils !
invetcra'e Courage a perfect know!edge of cur resources and a standing ia a national point of view, that now calls forth the envy and astonishment of tliq world. V. e afforded an example to other nations that they in vain attempt to imitate And now t) c ;;!oom and o.statUfactiou that oi rspread a large portion of our country ?t the commence ment of hostilities, a$d the many dittieiiltles v.e had 10 encounter during tneir continuance, ib changed into a conviction, that under timely preparation and wise councils, the United S ates of America can withstand the endeavors of all the league 1 and coi i up! potentates of Europe Tids last war affords the mo-it sanitary lessson to your children ; equaled only in the history of nations by a knowjedsre of otir revoluUonan stiu i ie. Whatever circumstances preceded its declaration, we d monatrsted -ur conduct on the occ. n, on th Niagara frontier on Patapsco, on Mssisippt and on Thames, that been. en will never exchange their soiil happiness for j ie bondage of feeble splendour, or traffick their liberty for wealth and titles;- -vc demonstrate! that w i.e we have Jack ton's and OarrUon9 for the land ; I) atur.? and Lawrence for the sea, v.e can command the shield of Pallas and the trident ol Neptune Let us now call to mind fellow citizenSf for one mcmem, some of the c s which transpired in Indiana ! us remember : ippecanoe ; where our ails t sons 'ave themselves to their country wrhout reservaUon and immortalized theirfame whene our larHson, with a Spencer, a Warrick, a Davie s and many others of our worthy citiz w taught the deluded savage, that the eorruptm presents of the. minions of ritain cannot protect the n in wrong bar the sage and wholeso ne con ici s of t e United Si ites however disposed to foster and reclaim them, will not suffer their depravity to he a shield fortl dr barb nous mgratuudc Let us remember but a short time before when the immortal hero ClshS first glanced through il is country Indiana was a howling wilderness ; and let us !iow look around and we shall discover, that ' iejri 's fine description, and Thompson's finer desermtion of rural scenery, is more than realized; that we enjoy the blessin r- off e om, plenty and the means for mte'lectual improvement then let us exclaim witla the pact, What Morions scenes to Hot e's en raptu rd eye li Descending alow, their glittering sk'u-ts unrol " But mv follow citizens, I have detained you lou'T enough wit' h- p 1st ; fet me for a few minutes notict nthi-r matters equally pertinem on tl is occasion. . We ar- citizens ofthe V itc 1 St ; we arc a'soci'izcns of indl tna : am believe me it is with no ordinary .or coni-moo-place sensation that T say so. Citizens, where tl lierht of Heaven first shone upon manv of you. v. iere the protection and kindness ot V s have i xperl enccd, i annot be repaid by ncre words Where state sv reignty has been ai rded to ns. by our f(s,c;.n'; a;. ! i du it mother; and where the e ii grant io metier wl ere Tom wl eth r he come from Europe, urith an enthusiastic lovo of Libertv or from our sister states to escape nisf rtune and secure a hrme will findth. h ndofho p't- V Sc friend ship to aid and s rvi him. Citizens do
1 sav
es m'-tr.
M mv of us 1 p a
tali ctct cnlighteae4 the work-awiUi pst watued-'a character for cer-rizina
ripened, from frolicksome. vontt ful green-horns, untutored in the world d just from school, to maturity and rw nhood and many of us may here tx d- stiiv d to can v on youthful miofis to thn gra-. Here, then, let us direct our t ou rhts Indi na in assuming state soere:.Lmty. had the examples and !eso s of the old states, to stimu'atc and Ktiide her efforts. V! rtber the collected hbute ,f their wisdom ewliffhtenea and directed them, Mh for the people coltectivetv to sav ash .t hdMM, can oelv he clan ed Mr tem. She ha prn-r- s,lvi-!v dMoo si'at d l owerer,onder manv disadvntaees thai whaevet causes rpAy for a moment aftVct her political itanding, 'the yeBow harvests shed aj.-a"m their mellow IU tie ' 0 1 r new fcncM fams; and h tc we at this moment to search tl r the Lnio-WS3 could not fir 1 I -tate that of rmts in prospective po!:'ie I views v .ore sublime, The tiuc I hope is fV.,t approach