Western Sun & General Advertiser, Volume 15, Number 8, Vincennes, Knox County, 3 April 1824 — Page 1

WESTERN SUN & GENERAL ABYERTISEE

BY ELIIIU STOUT. V1NCENNES, (IND.) SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1824. Vol. 15. No. 8

ft

Yinccimes, February 23d, 1824. nant of his companions in arms from the 1 Kf.v. H. M. Shaw. hir participating in carnage covered field when she saw him j the general feeling of we ll merited thanks, ' in the midst of those scenes of trial, of sufTertor your luminous and eloquent oration this ' ingand'of peril, she must have had a strong day delivered, we most respectfully request prophetic intimation of the thick honors that a copy for publication with everv sentiment he would 'ere long gather, and of the exacted

of gratitude and respect we are Llev. sir Yours. Joiik. Ewikg, Samuel Hill, F.mhu Stout, Samlkl Smith, William Uurtch, Gmtl'mn Agreeably to the request contained in vour note of the 23dinst, 1 send you acopv of the oration which I had the honor to deliver on that day, accompanied with my regret that it is not more worthy of publication. The short time allotted to me to comprise it, together with the multiplicity of business that I whs compelled to attend to,

will I hone, ineluce the public to throw tke anneared there as the strenuous asscrter and

mantle of charity over its numerous impe defender of American Independence. The fictions. lam gentlemen very respectfully causes which impelled him to put himself in your friend. fronted opposition, and hostile array against Hknry Moore Shaw. the crown and government of Great Britian, jIt srs. Jj:k ?Avhfrt wn the defence of which he had so often en-

aanii'i titu.

military renown that he was destined to ac

quire. After having performed his duty in the several stations assigned him, in the aforementioned enterprises in a manner the most ( creditable to himself and beneficial to his country, we find him once more in the year , 1758 marching against fort Du Quesne, the garrison cf which terrified by the approach I of him and the brave men bv whom he was j

accompanied, destroyed their fortress and

sougnt safety in flight. 1 he object of that expedition having been accomplished, he returned his sword to its scabbard, and did not again appear upon the theatre of military lfe,

untd alter the expiration of seven years, he

Jilihu .V'o.vr,

luimvcl Smith, 'iliiam Bur'ch,

Vfllow Citizens. To commemorate a period which gave birth to the immortal Washintox accords with some of the mosi ennobling feelings of our nature and must doubtless receive the approbation of our d '1. In addition to the pleasure which it cannot fail to produce in our hearts it evinces our gratitude to the supreme ruler of the universe inspires us with love and veneration for the characte r of that natch!' s.v who fought and suifcreel to secure to us our fn e dom and tends to make us duly ap predate the many and invaluable blessings rrith which it is accompanied. For the purpose of commemorating that period we have this day assembled. Vc hive met to celebrate one othe most auspicious eras in the annals of our countrv to pav respect to the memory of that illustrious worthy who obtained the liberty of United America to pondeupon Ins event ful and instructive life to prav for a portion cf the spirit which animated him in time thai tru J r,vns sculi" to lav our hands upon the altar of the country for which he put his property, his honor and his life in jeopardv, and to swear by "him that sitteth upon the throne" to preserve inviolate the rights for which he faithfully and gloriously contended. On this day consecrated to the celebration of the nativity of him who was the f imuler of our republic, let us unite oil'hearts ar.d our voices with those of millions cf olumbias sons and daughters who have convened to elo homage to his eminent virtue"; and heroic achievements, let the weapons of political warfare be laid aside, and ririy merged in patriotism. Upon such tin occasion as the present; upon this sacred union of deep, tender and patriotic, fee -ling, party spleen and local politics should not be permitted to obtrude, bat man should meet man with the ful! purpose of devoting the hallowed day to the unadulterated love of countrv. On "the 22d day of February 173:, in Westmoreland count v (Virginia) the light of heaven first broke upon the eve of WASHINGTON. His ancestors h id emigrated from F.ugland to that then colonv of rcat Britain, about a century anterior to tV t event. Hy his highly solicitous and amiable p irents h- was e arly instructed in the common branches of ediu atlon ; indoctrinated in the purest mornlit', and in the heaven descend d precepts of our most holy religion. In his youth he gave striking indic ui his of that true greatness which he developed in his manhood. When America saw him at the ago of 19 a Brigade Major preparing the militia of Virginia for active sen ice, two vears subse

quently delegited by the governm?nt of that j

V-'M- kr 'V I IV'l l( ,i llll-vlvlll Ll illt I I t. Ml 11 i fO nni.ini!:l!lt m thf Ohm thrnnr-li fnroctc I

reverberating with the horrid veils of the ! , t was thn that tl'.e spirit of independence s n -age ; in the midst of winter", and after- ' l'ffhtcd at the altar of their country ; intfamwrds receiving the public plaudits of the od their bosoms, and went like an electric constituted authorities for the promptitude s-irc' over the whole continent. It was then ar.d fidelity with which he had discharged 'that the eagle of liberty flapnic: its wires the duties of the oTice which thev had impos- llP'i the glarhvn; of hapless Switzerland, cd upon him amidst the difficulties that hul winged its loftv flieht and foond no rcstipsr

o:voscd him, and the dangers that surrounded him when she saw him at the head of his regiment gdlantlv defending the settle

ments on the frontiers of his country against

durcd hardships and welcomed elangers ;

were amply aelequate to justify his conduct. The earliest fathers of our country left F.ngland 1 'ft every dear scene of their childhood for the purpose of enjoying in this western hemisphere, civil, political and religious liberty. The terrors of the savage foe the difficulties of their pilgrimage anel the repulsive appearance of the uncultivated wilelerncss could not daunt their daringness could not discourage their bold enterprising spirits. No, all those formidable impediments sunk into insignificance when compared with the value of the object that thev saught. In dis pite of their multifarious difficulties and distresses, they rapidly advanced to national wealth and national greatness. Great Britian like a hard harted and unnatural mother, looked with an avaricious and jealous eve upon the incroariear power & prosperity of her children, who fondlv hoped that thev h.v forever escaped far bevond the reach of her cruelty and oppression.

I hev su omitted to her superior strength. 1 Long did they yield to her a faithful alle- ' glance. Th-v gave their little and hard !

OM'iiimgs to en rich her. Thev willingly offered their hves and their property in her

defence. lfs'v h.ad been satisfied with a, reasonable service America might attewis day have been the brightest ejem inr"hcV Town. But she was not. She f stencil "Her

fetters tighter around them. Tax swelled upon tax exaction upon exaction, and op- ! nrcssHi upon oppression ; untd. rt length, thev were forced to that point where obe- ; h'crco ought to end, and where resistencc : should commence. Their manly noble j

spirits could no longer tamclv brook servitude and chains For a moment, they paused but it was not on account of fear it was

humanity that made them pause. They thorghton the vast number of widows and : orphans that would be made in the succeed- ' irg struggle. Thev thought on the innorrnt ' blood that must inevitably be spilt. Thev '

thoug!it on the many devoteel victims that would fall beneath the tomhnwk and sc.1-

niMg kn;fe, rd be tortured at the stake of ; the remorseless cruel savages. Thev thought ' on their wives and children butchered, or flying in disrnv from their homcsjbefore a merciless and vengeful soldirry. Rut as I before observed it was but the pause of a , moment. It was like the awful soilness that sometimes precedes the thunder storm. . Soon the I'ghtnWs of battle flashed, and j soon did its thunders roar. Thev looked ! through the long vista of succeeding ages and beheld thHv posterity slaves. They called to their recollections the period when I their Fathers left friends relatives and

home, and braved the perils of the sea ami of the Vmd to seek in this country, that lib-

o-tv wlorh was denied to tliem in their own. i

Thev reflected upon the faithful obedience I which they had rendered to the mother i countrv, and contrasted it with the wrongs ; that thw had receive! from her upon her ' theorcreal cl imsof unVnvted rule, nod upon j

her overt acts ef practical oppression, ar.d they resolved f;veiy to live, or nobly to tlie.

Place for its foot until it reached our shores. It was then thru the guardian spirit of America appeared helmetted ar.d armed for the combat serenitv and per.ee no logger mark-

a ruthless foe; boldly advancing against the her counten nice, and tlie banner that floriFrench at fort Du Q aesne, and although ovcr her was cri esoned with blood, compelled to retire before a superior force nc appeared te rrible, erect, sublimrin aB

preserving his honor unsullied, and his lau- tne igor of vouth, and 1

rals

sr.e

unwitliered m the cente st when

s aw liim acco np anving the brave, but rash unfortunate Buahock to the smeuin irv ac

tion that terminated the erthlv existence of c a'r vrvitnde, and rffcctoally released

tlins rrraved, and

thus armed, she threw down the gaunt'et and b id. defiance to the boasted power of Britain. America awoke fmm the slumbers

that British officer ; imparting to him b?Yre h - received his mortal wound, ud ice which if it hael net !een disused m:ght have saved his life and crowned him with ictorv when ihe saw him fier his wise and salutary counsels had been disregarded, fearlessly conten Hr.g ag ii;;t the subtle foe so long as valor could aeglit avail ; an 1 tliui conducting with a pi u 1 nce that would have reflected ;;lory epeti the war oiu veteran, th.e rcm-

herscdf from the palsving grap ofanhifuri-

ate ami tyramck gxnernmer.t. F it where was found th.e man that led the soldiers of tin revolution to victorv Who as tin daring and nuehtv chieftain, that came forth to conduct hem against the formidable foe renowned fi' science and prowess in arm? In how many battles had he fo ight ? Was his head bleached under the helmet of vrar? H;vd age given maturi

ty svstem and composure to his purposes? No it was the youthful WASHINGTON, who like the stripfing of Israel came forth to meet the dread (oliah. He like a beacon upon an eminence pointed out the path of freedc.m to his enchained countrymen and fired each breast with its vestal flame. Under his guidance our belovedcountry trium phed over her insulting anel inhuman opprcsor, ai I the kingdoms of the world recognised her independence. Many and appalling were the obstacles placed in the way which led to that independence. In the first stage of the revolution the army commanded by Washington was principally composed of men utterly unacquainted with military discipline and service of men taken from the plough and the counting-house. They were the men upon whom the existence of our republic depended, and that were called to meet the veteran and well disciplined legions of Britain front to front, to decide the fate cf empire. They were like v :se badly armed paid and clothed. Their energies were tlirected by a government necessarily slow in its operations requiring the concurrence of many diiFerent legislatures in its deeis ons, all of them carefully watching over their property and perogativc a government oftentimes menaced with internal comnu lion by the fearful and disaffected. And let this truly great man in defiance of all thoe discouragements difficulties and embarrassments, fearlessly met and gloriously rcuted tlie superior numbers of the haughty enemy. He under the controlling influent e cf the God of battles, was the "pillar of cloud by day and pillar of lire by night" that conducted the soldiers of the republic to this land of promise. Vorktown witnessed the last struggle made betv.'ecn the oppressor and the oppressed, and saw it terminated in the shame and defeat of the former. The invading hosts were driven from the soil which they had for vears kid waste and polluted to the region from which thev emerged. When he was thus encircled with the halo of glory, instead of arraying himself in the irreverent r.ttire of human vanity ; lie bowed with humble t:i-.!:kfuh ess before the supreme ruler of natir i:.' and cast all his laurels at his feet. It v. ;,:, ;;ieu that he appeared as good as he was gre:.L His character stands without a para 1 hi in tiie history of any age or country. I know vhat upon the pages of ancient and nie.dern biography, you may read tin names of oJ.'ier chieftains who have immortalized themselves and reflected honor upon the nations that gae them birth but there were generally, if net always found some deep stains upon their private character, which lowered much their ublic reputation. Like ill-omened meteors they arose no steady light eminateel from them for a time they attracted the puboc. wonder and admiration, and then shorn of their beams set in etermd darkness, itot the character ofoi-r Washington is unstained b f uly and imhlotteil by crime. He by condoning our armies amidst the trcmM;dous and perilous storms of the revolution, to victory and freedom contrary to the expectations of Europe and the world, proved that he was a skilful brave and accomplished general. When every other heart was sunk in dispondency when doubt and terror were depicted upon the counten. mces cf his retreating soldiers, he alone, felt no fear luiilding his hopes upon that oninipotert arm, that is ever stretched out in defence of sufferii g virtue anil which fails not in the day of adversity ; he was appalled by no difficulties intimidated by no dangers. But Gen. George Washington was a finished .itatttmajit as well as i skilful and intrepid warrior. When called by the united suffrage of his compatriots to be tlie first Fres ident of a country that he had redeemed from a degrading and loathsome bondage, he found it convulsed by a collision of oppositeinterests and opinions. Those arose as might have been expected, cut of a government predicated upon tlie exigencies of the revolution, without regard to the various occupation of life, in time of peace and to an increa-oid population. At this trying juncture, aspiring and ambitious men sprang up, who irr.nv.ndTul cf the freedom which had been purclu.st d at the price cf the blood of those, patriots "':o htld not their lives dear to thrt::" endeavoring to excite a spirit of dis.-dVection in the people and to scatter amoi.gthcm the ir. e brands c discord. The

h.i - - ;k a at once pru- ; ' il' 1 accutc iudi---. i .-..v. lUjtinct sovere . .'he : prerogative.

compact code of

tier.

occasion

dent and c MirgLv . ; '. ions and (i. s:. . i . cigntics j( -ah t . , , were to be ed u-aiev

jurisprudence, without olashrng with their

respective authorities. I hr se important :.r.d iiidipen;.bie requisites were happily united moarbeloied WASHINGTON, whoaided by his venerable aasfxriatis, formed anel bequeathed to us that incomparable constitution under which our liberty has been maintained and our Republic arisen to wealth ar.d power a constitution which bus exeitcd the jealousy and fear e f transatlantic tyrants, and tlie love and veneration cf ir.ai.y of their )crsecutrd subjects. Whether we iew this man in the field or in the cabinet amidst the hhze e f tne.s juetry and ordinance, or in the domestic, circle ; as the director of ear armies or e o.ir c eucils, he stands equally great, equal!'-' pre-eminent. Trace liis career from childhood to the grave, and you will discover nau-ht in lain to censure, e cry thing to admire. As a son lu: manifested the jcreutcit ienect ar.d

love for his parents ; as a husband he wHS eminently tender & affectionate ; as a christian he evinced an unfeigned veneration for the precepts and doctrines of our Re deemer ; a an agriculturist he was industrious ami enterprising : as a politician he deveh ped tlie most consummate prudence-, foresight and deliberation ; and as a warrior, he possessed all the great qualities of the most riistir.gu shed heroes, without being tainted with their follies, their ices, or their crimes. In him were combined the patience ot Han.bal, the mercy of Cxsar, the prudence of Fabius, and the courage of Alexander. Who is that man that has examined his life, and pondered upon his peneti aticn, sagacity, and prescience bonieru g upon inspiration ; upon his immense range of military science ; upon his stern inUguty, w hich the temptations of earth could in-tcum.pt; his high unsullied lu nor , his amh-.ble mamuos, which bound with a spell all vho came wihin their s here, and upon his disii.te rcu elness and magnaiiimity, that has not felt lor his name the sincerest h e and leneration. He was as mild as lie was firm ; and that heait which nature had formed to conduct the aff .irs cf a nation w ith the "n ficxibiht) of a Lycurgus, and the r.ddn ss cf a rol ,;. ; to thunder in the field of battle, or to am ct the helm of civil go eminent, wasalixe toidlthe hear synq athie-s ; t iled to ovtifiiwing with the tender charities, and possessing in a preeminent device all these god-like virtues which in taeir p::' l e. exercise throw the shield of ihcirpioiection oxer the persecuted and ditressed, anel in their pri..tc, criy numberless comforts ar.d bksm-gs to those who come with.n their i. fiiui.ee 11 in a pleasing .ii;d gi i, tie cr. c:;.ia i. an oica.g to objects by which they are called into aein, from the strict .and ruegid jastire cf C'ato down through the niai.iy kinelia sseL ofN-q o to the se softer and tel. cere r ft e Vmgs k'h ch adorn woman, and even to the pla ful s.tnplicity anel innocence of the child. My veneration for his character commenced with the dawn of reason. No lapse of time ; no change of phxe or of circumstances can ever lessen it. for it is based upon the adamantine foundation f his exalted lirtues and talents, and cvmcs.icct l y grateful remembrance oi the giory and biei.saigs wh'uh he has cenfv rret: upon my countn , of winch to be ever forgetful wauhi be u cri.oe of ingratitude which no huai.a. t harity could be expected to efface or extenuate". Had he lived in aaciei.t Greece or on:e, he would, have been deemea wcrthy cf t -p.tlu ( .-is. If he had fallen :n one of our u .Lt;es of t.,,r revolution, he would iiave Ik en ealit d bv generations yet unborn, the best and e ': t est of mart) vs. Hut he is hoai.ivd ah a distinction prouder tiiari ciiiier of those; lie is, and eer will be, while th giiuus of hLer tv hovers over our land, cnshi ined in th heart of the Aaier.can pcophr. He stoiis and must eer stand the honpancl ana i;" heroes. Vinlst eaibodied in clay he f. ru.ed a connective link between men and nr.; . U, and 1 crust he is now the companion of the latter, partieipath g in their neeieiuii! vujoyments. Some future Fnitaich will if r.h but search in am for an iqual. witli lioin he may compare him. When he w as in tiie battle-field plying against the enen.v, ti c only a.gument tnat had any w. giit w.Ai tiiViii that ofthebayoi.it ana bad, the v.,r cry of oi sldii rs was ' ihe sv. rc;ci tie Lord and of Washington," and when he w..i in the cabinet, three nnlhons t,f feennn pointing to him with co:mnii:gled gr,:t -.uoe and exultation, exclaimed "Deln Id toe enfr.ible sage." His w is tiie glory that comparatively small as W i.s nin patriotic band, and poor is ihcy were in the means of defence, and in the. munitions of war to defend and maintain at the h iZ..xd of his life, his f -r-tunes aud his Honor, those inestius .bio r.g'.t whi;h we are now e:joyig his w.i r , !:a:pi:iess to see his country :rowne:i with freedom and prosperity. Hav ing numbered the days of lr.s pilgrimage.; his spirit ascended from the saa.'.es of M i: t N'eriiou, to tiie God who gave it cn th- 14:h f December 1799. His eyes Ik for.- they were sealed by death, like those of M.cs the cl.eiftain, and law-git iref Israel, beheld hi. con: trv free and happy. ace to ti e venerated dust ( f our good old Father! Thy lnonwnent is a natioiio giatiiudt which wi,ll.4st Jm.g .ffi-r these of marble and bronse erecteti to j t rpetuatc the memory of ther hems siiall have crumbled. Often has the tear cf sorrow dropped upon thy hooo-.ed grave, r;i,d if ten shall the w arri' r of Columbia approach it, and looking upon the sod that rests up. n all of thee that could die resolve like thee to live like thee to demote his hfe to the sacred cause of liberty, (h.e oi vs most d.Minguis'ned co:npraiir:as i:i ..rn.s tiie Marquis De'L i Fayette is ah-ut to rc :.it this country. He w ill be w eh "in. d V. hs hor . ".r

persons ot all tv.nks, c:-i.'.:t.f.ns on his arrival the ai.tln m f jov tude v.i'l a.scend from ii e;-i .- T T ...

every vaiiey. :ie v acclaims cf n-i'ii , receiv e l;im ia.. as tiie abi? ilef.i ;!

.;i oe t frv flic: at

v

b re flash':. I vvi::i mii t.ir

a s

nil gi-iti-!l a.a" its v. :ta ti c i...y will

at

Sw'S uver He will

th,

febh ' wi-:h

d c'.k , k a ill 'cur a-, he- p s- . r tt iumphs

to., 'it-, -..r :ir:d e!. l ..;.t.

or ii;s i i

cuitiVatco. pi.oitatrns . and papule js and .spier.. h! little mare than wiugir. . covered vit'i hoaourri ;.e

!uti nan- stnele to hi,

Siguier-

will rro to rh

e : 'vest s.

t ii s vvhh h w. rc i.cn he refer:-', d. ' 'd '.! O .! V (5:tiv. I Hi