Western Sun & General Advertiser, Volume 13, Number 5, Vincennes, Knox County, 2 March 1822 — Page 1

WESTERN SUN k GENERAL ADYERTISE1L

1)Y ELU1U STOUT. VINOENNES, (INI).) SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1825. Vol 13. No. 5.

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ViNCCNNF, March 2. The undersigned present their thanks to Mr. John Iv.vmg, for die pattiotic ad ill ess deiivcicd b him on Washington's birth day, and win deem ii an aelditional favor if he wiil ailuw them a copy for

publication

J low i r .jiwscv, James S.niih Jactb Kii'jkcndall)

If f,asxcllc J 'j fin Jtcrs, David Mdlc

Henry rtubic

Vn.ccnnce, 25th Feb. 1822 To wide i Mr. F.wing returned the foilow tin: answer. 3 ghstlemkn I he llattcrin j request you .we just ma le, I led very sensibly. A copy ol the oration is herewith sent, and I regret it. was not in my pow er to t ender it more worthy ol the occasion.Vcrv respectfully, yours, kc. JOHN LWING. February 25, .IS 2 2. THE OilATlON TO commemorate the birth day of the illustrious man whose fame will stand " majestic 'mid the monuments of time" we are now assembled and that my powers so uuuh quale to tne sublimity ol the subject, is causeol regret a regret that pioeecds from no feigned affectation, for all the patriotism and friendship which selected me to speak on the occasion, could not confer talents equal to the ho nor they bestowed. The return ol t hi - day, follow chitons is well calculated to awaken reflection, and exert a beneficial influence over the mind and conduct of eveiy freeman. The early life, k after actions of (ieorgc "Washington, were esteemed by our fa thers, as alVording tie noblest examples of public and private virtue it becomes us to uunifest that their posterity have not changed, or degenerated. The country that was to them a w ilderness, we now occupy in a st ite of progressive improve, ment the town wc now inhabit, though old as some of the largest cities on the continent, they h id no knowledge of lu: they left precepts, and ex imples, for our gut lance, and government ; and magliili entiv as iiatuttMias s. o id h r see t around us, the moral and political scenes "will he rendered if wc practice and adhere to them. Although Vinccnncs w as a trading post, or town belore Philadelphia was of importance, yet, the first settleishad not been habitu ded to free institutions. Liberty, and intellectual enterprise, were almost strangers to them they had as tittle means as disposition for the one, and were not permuted to enjoy theothes. Their laws were enacted in tbc military code ol a foreign country, where their chief rulers resided and mich rulers cared not for their w ants, as they felt but little interest in their prosperity. vVhilst the first settler, ol Philadelphiahaving been accustomed to institutions more free, and laws somewhat consonant to freedom, were better fitted at their settlement, to putsue a course

more compatible with all the interests of

men in society. This may account, in part, for the very great disparity in the

tw o places, at the present day Hut as that cause, & otf.crs originating amongst cursrlvss) have now ceased to operate, as illnature at the misfortunes heretofore visited (mon us will not remedy them, 1 us the wisdom of Washington's precepts, and a portion of his unequalled glory are now mound us 'tis o be hoped Vine ennes may yet raid; amongst the first of mr cities, as she certainly does amongst ihe eldest of our towns. The various radations thtough which 4 this land of the free, and this home ol the brave" has passed, since her emancipation from a ntate of vassalage, shoul i inspitc every citizen with the most profound eneration to' , an 1 gratitude to Washington, next to the great Jehovah Another Ossian might stil'' arise to sing his praise, to tell ol the deeds of other times yet his greatness would haftV the eiVorts of hyperbole, and all the fictions of romance be forgotten in the splendid reality of his achievements. Ilistorv affords no parrallel The heroturn of Decius for Home, and Lconidas for Sparta the justicr of Ari-tidcs, the mrrcu of Cxsar, the f.rtiuide of Hannibal, ami the f;atri)tis::i of Cato, are worthy of nppljutc but bow much more worthy is cur Washington, for w hom it seems to have been reserved by the Deity, to blend them all in one, and like the lovely chef d'ouvre of the (hecian artist, to exhibit in one glow of associated beautv, the pride ol every model the perfection iff every 2u-trr. M:nvheicesjur. renowned for

injuring and oppressing he for benefitting and libcraiing his country. Ills mc nui y i worthy of alt honor, and ihe re turn of this .ay will be hailed, so long as virtue remain on earth, by the most imperishable evidence of hi transcendent greatness a nations love. Plus enlightened audience arc well aware, that ihe brightest images of eloquence would fait to give that electric thrid to the inmost recesses of tne heait, which simple nairative of his lile is alone calculated to inspire the) are also aware, that the taili.ful biogiaphcr has long preceded me, and einhaimed in the bosom ol our affections, his sentiments and co iduct. 1 sliail tneiefore brh fly narrate the poition of his history necessary to give an outline ol his coutsc,and sustain mv remarks. . The ancestors of the immortal Washington emigrated from Fngland to America in t lie year 1657. ami sctt.ed in the then colony of Virginia, where, by tuncmitting industry, they soon acquued a y circumstances He was the htiit ot a second maniage, and was born in Westmorland county on the 22d : ch 1732. It has been said, that in the infant years of man, the seed of futuie greatness is pia tt d and Washington's life cxcmplifi s the fact. I qu ally .remove d by the situation of his parents, from the low passions of the vulgar, and the splendid follies of the gteat, he imbibed from their example, and instruction, a icveicnce foi icli gion a love of truth and justice, anil an unchangeable regard for the rights of his fellow men. Having his young mind deeply imbued with such principles ami taught to perform every becoming uty a private tutor was piovided for him. under whom he studied those humble, tho Useful branches of education writing, arithmetic, and surveving. About the age of ten, he lost his father. This los was amply compensated bv the watchful care ot his mother, who enrouraged his assiduous industry in the pursuit of uselul knowledge. About the age of 15. he ha completed his limited course of education, and a war about that time breaking out between the mother country and France, his ardor for military life was excited. t his own urgent request, the post of midshipman in the i'titish navy, was solicit"d and obtained. His trunks were sent on board the ship to which he was attached, when the remonstrance s of his beloved mother, operuing upon his fniai piety, conquered the strongest passion ol his youthful breast. Ihe post of honor so eagerly sought, was relinquished his motheis tears res-rved him in become the shield and bulwark ol the colonies. Hut he remained not at home to spend his youth in listless inactivity qualified to perform the duties ol asurveyui. Ids attention was directed to that useful and laborious employment In that occupation he continued actively engaged several years. Wc next find mm at the age of 1, a brigade major appointed to train the militia of his native state for actual duty. Three years after, at the age of 22, he performed a mission fur the colonial government ot Vi.gmia. to the French commandant on the Ohio. I his undertaking performed wim prompti tudc and propriety, at the most ii. element season of the year, thiough a wild rness of savages, secured tor him the public thanks of the constituted auihouties whom he had faitldu.y served anil a narrative of his journey which his diffidence had intended t.tdy lor the tyt of the executive , was hurried to the piess, and thereby preserved a monumei.t of Ids early promise. The g v eminent of the colony ascertained by this mission, the critical situa'ion of their trontii is, and immediately raided a regiment to protect them, of which Washington was deemed worthy to hold the second command. Soon a fit i this, his colonel dying, he succeeded to the ehuf command. With this rcginn nt, and some additional fotec, we next find him advancing in a ho d attempt against the French fort du'Quesiu , now Pitisbmgh. That cxph it was frustrated by supciior numbers but he defended himself with hi roie. courage in fori Necessity ; and when con pclled to yield to ovci wlu lining pow er, he retired with honor his laurels untarnished the confidence of his country undiminished .omc time afterwards the Hri'ish gov eminent establish' d a degrading piefer ence in favor of H' itish, over colonial officers, which the lofty mind of ashington could not sanction he therefore gav up hi commission and n tired to Mount Vcinon. There genl Hraddock found him when he arrived with a British at un

to expel the French from the Ohio. The geucial regretted the absence of ashington trom the service, and wished, and requested he mijjjht accompany him as a volunteer aid lo this he finally consented and joined Hraddock in that capacity. Washington warned Ids general of the wily character of the foe his warning was distegatdcl and Hiatldock, with half his army, fell, the victim of a rash confidence The remainder was saved by the faithful 2ud and coinage of Washington ; w liu on that disastious occasion, performed the pan of a ga lant soldier, and an able conunai der. Amid that d y's carnage, th guardian angel of his country shielded him from harm for vo hor ses were killed under him, and many halls passed through hi, apparel, ye t his person lemaincd unhr.tt. 1 bus, in the midst of disaster he acquiied i ew gloiy theeinfidei.ee of his eountiv incieasing with eveiy new display of his conduct. Soon after Uraddock' elcfeat the Ibitish hoops abandoned Viiginia. ;d.d le gimcnt w.is raise d within the coieiny. for its own protection. Of this iigimeut Washington yie leling to the gei.cial wish acci pted the command In this situation he continued, affording the frontier settlements all the pioUcttMi which his limited utcair permuted, until a Hritish army nndi r gen Fi bis, w as elit e cicd to expel the Fiench, anel overawe the savage s. ashmgton once mote accon.pahie el this army with his regiment, against the French fort du'Qncsnc. 1 utan iving within a s on distance of that place , in the fall ot 1758, the garrison dcstroeel the works and abandoned the place. During liis absence on this expedition, he was cicctcd a men ber ol the buse of burgisses, and on his return to Vnginia he sui tendered his commission a second time -tu-Ncr mote to fiht uniki the ban m. is of mutnrchy. Immediately after his resignation he -attended ids legislative iluties; and on his retUin home hede;ermilled ti'at the' future condition of his life should be that ol p- ace, and domestic comlsjtt Hi- so on found after this elelei minatiuu, tha Cdcn itsetf would be to man a dreary wilderness, without the s-vcet converse, the chaste deiights. the ammning soiIcm and tender offices of lovciy woman. To accomplish his object could not be difficult lor Washington. W ilh a person formeel in the mould ed majesiv a heait chastened and improved horn infancy, a mind enlarged by ao-iiiuous cultivation manners refined by intercourse with polished !m iety a;d a name iriadiatc - by iitueand by glory, wiiat female could vvitntand sucii an asse:nblagc ol attractions? Wc soon find him mairied to the anna te and accomplished vvid iv of Mi. Custis and happily united in the deligutlul sh.aeies ol '.(iunt Vernon, man) ycai tolled away in conjugal leiicit) Willi zed and dc light ncpuisuedihe invigoiating occupation ot agriculture. Hut a due portion ot his time was always ieered for hi (tud, I, is country, his lami.y U hisfiienda. His worship, however Was not the empty observance ot fotms alone. Hy the faithful elistliarge ot eveiy social duty, and a true compliance with the benevolent precepts of the gospel, he displayed theieadi) ol his faith, ami the sincerity ol his devotion To his friendr, his hou.c, and nis heait, wete ever open nor were his door e.losed against the sti anger, or the indigent Virtue in distress evei found in him a benefactor but impiety, ai el wilful wieng, were eliiven from his piesencc 4 with an unforgiving frown " Such e onduct, aeiu-d to the .ustieed his s rv ices, ceiind not fail to i mieur him lo the community- a. id cvci ready lo benefit his fellow citizens, he e'u dined io office how ever humble, in v hi'-h ) l might be- use ful As a v c sti n.. , ill, jm uii as a justice of the j t..- ; , .,..; n enib t of the iCgislatiue of his cenn-y. he displayed in then &civicc, U.e seamd judgnn nt for which fie was so reinaikable. In one or ;dl of these offices, lie continued until the controversy between Massachusetts and the mother countrv, thrcateneil to extinguish the libeities of all the colonies. The alarm pmduccd throughout t)ie country by the difle rences and transactions I allude to, was so general, that in 1774, it was resolved hy a simultaneous impulse to send deputies fiom each colony to meet in Philadelphia, to conceit measures of mutual s if t Washington was one of the deputie s sent b Virginia, to that immortal arscmnly of sages This firt congress by an adelress to the p ople, and a petition to the king, solicited a icconciliation with Fn gland, on terms compatible w ilh our honor and our liberty at the came time,

however, they neglected no measure cf loresight; before thev adjourned t,.ey recommended another congn ss to inert, and hear the result, in the May fonow nig. I his second congn s met at tne app.mtcdtimc, and Washington was again of the number. It was then asceitain. d mat H.itain wou.cl not hear our pemiu:s. olrcdicss our grcivances ; a;.d that she was determined by force ot aims, to coe- cc utuondition d ubinisston PI e wise and sagacious etongicss, now entertaincel no deub: e)f ihcir proper coutse thy instantly eh tcrmincd to oppose the assailants. War, or unconditional submission, were the alternatives they pre ferreel the formct, and all the ariangcn . nth w! u!i the uneejualleel wisdom and fitinness of that congress c.u!el sil. ges:, weie soon in a fctate ol foi w ui dm ss It was at this cnsis Wasl it-gton was unanimously t !ioken conunaiider in chic I of the American armies and he accepted the appointment with a modest elifhiUnce, the sure atJendant of conscious merit. With aelisintercs'e eliH ss imexan pled, except recently b the patiiot I'oliver, he declined pccuniaiy i cvvun! liu, ah g bib dem inds against ihe public to his actual expo di turc3. Thus le (gain apprare d, after seven ve ars ictitemeni, clad in the panopl) of war. It would be impossible in this r ddt ess, to notice all his actions through the memorable struggle that serin cd out independence. The histoiian and h bod have embraced them, and e loquci ce U s justly bestowed her best culnUMis in their praise Soon after he assum. d the chief command, he organized an a: my, and In superior military skill, dterc the aimg.mt foe from Boston. In 1 776, 2,7K of his soldiers were captuied at tort Washington immediately alter, I2o0()moic whose teim of service had expired claimed and received their discharge. He had then less tlrm V;0 men remaining and in the dead o" winter in the face of an army vastly greater, he not only ke pt the- field, but taught the foe that his moral force was powriful as before that though freemen might be slaughtered or dispersed, tt-cy could never be conquered At that awful time, when Washington was almost foi sake n in the field when the timid were seeking safety by making their own peace he repelled with indignation, all who would date to counsel peace, without scrunng the independence of the country !! elid secure it he established a government all powerfut for the- pro ection of our freedom and our rights but impotent to injure, or oppress. And let it hew. suffice to say that whilst I adndrc and appreciate, the bravery the firmness the talents and the intcgiity of other illustrious patrio's of the revolution. I can appeal to history and declare that our independence was acquired, and our rights established, as much by his "-ag. c'ry skill and prudence as by the forceof" numbe iS. Wc find that in the most disastrous moments of the revolution when ad uaa gloom around him when the prosp- c; of success was elaikcncd when hope herself was sinking in the agony of 'cjairt his great mind never faltered We find that after enduring trials the most afflicting, and combatting dangers the most appailing. his i fforts secured victory He triumphed over mc soldier who had been i eared to arms, on the plain whe re olf and Montgomery fill. After an 8 vears war the U gn.ns d Fngland w tc bnni-..-ht to submission, and lie secured to our counli y an elevateel rank among the nations. May our posterity e ver pre set ve it may they ever cherish the invaluable legacy, acquiied thtough so mam dangers, soman; toils and sacrifices. This national rank had only been acknowledged when the b?avc ain.y which had uncle i his command, aided to acquire it, manifested strong symptoms of mutiny. After having met e very peril, and wasted properly and health in the service of out country , they wcie goaded almost to dcspeiation, by her supposed neglect. Hut V c voice of the'u beloved chief, always head with icvcrenre, ec. fed their wavering fidelity to the glorious st;ndaid of patriotism, and they were conte nt to repose on the promised platitude of ths government. Washington having now accomplished all that could be expected fiom a btavc commander and a patiiot chief p'ep.rcd to relinquish the weighty charge which he had sonoblv sost lined for mote than eight years Afu r taking a solemn leave of his brave army loaded in re? urn. with their bene ili tiiMis, Cc the g' atitude of rescued millions he resto'cd to tlr nation the sword which had established her liberty and bafcty.

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