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PcuolcD to literature, Science, anit 2lrt, tlje oon3 of temperance, 0i)i) iTclloruslpp, Jilasonrn, ani> ©cneral intelligence.
VOLUME I.
illlgfll f & IVSf,
THE LILIES OF THE FIELD.
[From ‘ Glimpses of the Beautiful, and other Poems, by
James Henderson; ’ a volume exhibiting a good deal of ele
gance both of language and sentiment.]
Each at the dawn uprears its silver chalice,
When the day-spring ushers in the dewy morn—
Gems that make bright the sweet sequestered valleys,
Pay-stars that mead and mountain glen adorn!
God said ‘ Let there be light! ’ and 10, creation
Shone forth with smiles emparadised and fair
Then man had Eden for a habitation,
And ye, bright children of the spring, were there !
Ye came to bless the eye when sin had clouded
The glorious earth with ruin pale and wan ;
Ye came to cheer the heart when sin had shrouded
With peril dark and dread the fate of man !
Ye came to whisper with your living beauty
A lesson to the hearts that doubting stray ;
To win the spirit to a trusting duty,
And guide the wanderer’s steps in wisdom’s way !
Whnt though your accents, gentle, sweet and lowly,
Unto the silent ear no sound impart ?
Ye whisper words all eloquent and holy,
To wake the finer feelings of the heart!
Meekly ye tell your emblematic story
Os the Creator’s lo\e with pathos true,
For Solomon, with all his pomp and glory,
Was ne’er arrayed like any one of you!
Ay, ye have lessons for the wise, revealing
Truths that proclaim Jehovah’s bounteous love;
And wisdom then grows wiser, nobler, feeling
How all that's good deseendeth from above !
Ye touch the thoughtful soul with pure emotion,
When contemplation doth your beauties scan;
Ye fill the heart with calm, serene devotion,
And breathe a moral unto erring man !
ORIGINAL,
THE SPIRIT OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
AS ADDREJS DELIVERED BEFORE THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
BY DR. F. M. ROBERTSON, OF CHARLESTON.
The great question which must arise in the
mind of every patriot, as he contemplates the
present condition of our young ancf still growing
republic, is, how shall the purity of her institu
tions be maintained, and the sact —which has
hitherto been regarded as an undemonstrated
problem—that man is capable of self-government,
he transmitted to posterity as an axiom to political
economy ?
r Io answer these questions, we must go back to
the causes that gave rise to our present form of
government—to the true spirit, of the revolution .
I hat which operated there will—all other things
xing the same—continue to produce the same re
volts to the remotest ages. How wasit then, that
a ew defenceless colonies, scattered along an ex
tended sea-coast, with much to excite sectional
Jealousies and prevent a concentration of feeling
and action, in little more than half a century, be
fame a mighty confederacy of freemen ; living
in peace and happiness, and making the most gi
kamic btl 'hles in sciences, arts, literature, com
aSriculture and manufactories, under in
nermi° U u er^n g their power, alone from the
P e( T>le themselves?
orespm ? re . re adyto answer that we owe our
tionarv lnsUUlllous to the valor of our revolu-
Thesp~ P atnot f and the success of our arms. —
which t] 6n '’ ln^ee d, the instruments through
about, b^ chan & es w^ re brou g ht
There vt’ . e on ginal or fruitful cause. —
all their aS ? S P UIt ee Perthan this, without which
brass nn / alor Would be.en “as sounding
conquer a tlnb ling symbol.” Alexander could
wjq. q r a “ or ld, but did blessings commensurate
Hi st f & or y conquests follow his success?
her’ Qn ansvvers > no ! France, by the chivalry of
throne * , re P eate< Jly hurled royalty from the
Te strict* and a^f°"ate( l the unjust and oppressive
and v e t° n | S ground her people to the dust,
and x )r ’ ,V e rema^ns subject to a crowned head
Ottoma^ 1 e^ orc^er * Greece burst from the
but son S ! ron g ras P by the success of her arms,
**ked f )ecame wary of self-government and
or a monarch. The South American
fetates burled back in defiance the chains with
which old Spain had hound them ior a century,
and } r et what anarchy and despotism alternately
rise up to blight their attempts at self-government
and the establishment of free institutions.
Let us look, for one moment, at the character of
the great majority of the people who first settled
the American colonies. They, in most cases,
were those who had been driven from their homes
by fanatical persecutions, which are alike blind
to moral worth and intellectual endowments.—
l he latter, in fact, constitutes a strong harrier to
the progress of power based upon superstition
and fanaticism ; and, to the blind ferociousness of
this unhallowed spirit, were the American colo
nies indebted for that intellectual greatness and
high moral worth which constituted the true
SPIRIT OF THE REVOLUTION.
It is not difficult to trace the combination of
causes that brought about the eventful crisis that
led directly to the revolution. History furnishes
ample testimony upon this subject; and a brief
and comprehensive statement of these causes is
most beautifully set forth in the Declaration of
Independence. Though the people felt that a
submission to the degrading and unjust exactions,
which were forced upon the colonies by the mother
country, was out of the question, yet few thought
that it would terminate in an open rupture. And
long after the youthful Warren, and the first mar
tyrs to American liberty, had shed their blood on
Bunker’s Hill and the plains of Lexington, many
were under the impression that a final and amica
ble adjustment of the difficulties would be brought
about. This contest was not urged on by blind
fanaticism ; nor did it spring from avarice or a
desire of conquest —no, no. It arose from a keen
sense of injustice, operating upon men of en
lightened wisdom and elevated moral sentiments,
who still felt the sting of those oppressive wrongs
that had driven them out as homeless and house
less wanderers from the land of their fathers.
Notwithstanding all this, it was with great dif
ficulty that many could bring themselves to think
of a final separation. Some, in our day, will be
ready to condemn their caution and hesitation ;
but we believe it gave evidence of a cast of char
acter which was a strong guarantee of what fol
lowed. The high moral worth and indomitable
perseverance, whichever shone, conspicuous un
der the most gloomy aud trying scenes of the rev
olution, were active causes in producing the state
of feeling. They were men who felt the force
of the important truth that “ governments long estab
lished should not be changed for light, and transient
causes .” Such were true patriots. They posses
sed the virtue that could bear up under oppres
sion until “forbearance ceased to be a virtue ; ”
and the mere fact of their being once aroused, and
driven to extremities, was one evidence of the
justness of their cause. The same principles and
spirit that enabled them to suffer a series of pro
tracted injuries and insults, fortified their souls and
nerved their arms to struggle with the monster
that had encircled them in its folds, until the hy
dra was crushed and their country liberated from
the thraldom of tyranny.
This was the true spirit of the revolution ; and
we must look to it as one of the causes that gave
rise to our political institutions, and not alone
to the military valor of our revolutionary patriots.
But at this critical moment, full of doubt and
uncertainty, some leading spirits were necessary
to sustain the half formed resolutions ol the wa
ver in fy , and direct the energies of all to some glo
rious consummation that should secure the com
mon good. Amid these dark and trying difficul
ties, some of the brightest gems that ever decked
the crown of a countries glory, came to light.
Not like the meteor that blazes for a moment and
disappears, leaving all in fearful f
light that eminated from them was steady and
brilliant, and darkness but increased the intensity
of its glow. After the issue was fairly made, up,
they felt liberty or death were the only alternatives.
SAVANNAH, GA.. THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1849.
It was not for military fame or vain glory that
these devoted patriots struggled against such
fearful odds. It was simple justice they de
manded—they wanted nothing more—and what
elevated moral principles must have been ever
active to have secured the results that followed !
It would, indeed, be a pleasing task to enumer
ate each of the leading characters through whose
intellectual power and moral force we now enjoy
the blessingsof the most free and enlightened gov
ernment on earth ; but time, and the limits to
which this lecture must be confined, will not
admit of such an extensive scope.
We shall however speak of one who w r as the
very embodvment of the true spirit and genius of
that glorious event. His life may be considered a
fair index of the principles of action that influ
enced the great mass of the American people, not
only during the struggle with the mother country,
but in their experimental efforts at self-government
and the formation of our present Constitution.—
In tracing the influence of the character of this
great and good man upon the destiny of his coun
try, we are forced to acknowledge the hand of
a.i all-wise Providence, from the commencement
of his career to the termination of his long, event
ful, and eminently useful life. Even in his
younger days there were circumstances connected
with his life, that were almost prohetic of the
important part he was destined to act in the scenes
that transpired during his maturity. His conduct
in the first Indian disturbances, that molested a
portion of the colonies, and, more particularly, at
Brnddocks defeat, are familiar to all the readers
of history. Dr. Craik, his intimate and known
friend for life, who was in the battle of Monon
gahela, relates the following singular circum
stance, “ Several years after this unfortunate af
fair, during a tour made by Washington and him
self, to examine the lands on the Ohio, a venera
ble Indian chief sought an Interview with them.
He slated, that hearing that Col. Washington was
in that region he had come a long way to visit
him; adding that during the battle of Mononga
hela be had singled him out as a conspicuous ob
ject, fired his rifile at him many times, and direc
ted his young man to do the same, but, to his utter
astonishment, none of the balls took effect. He
was thus persuaded that the youthful hero was
under the particular guardianship of the Great
Spirit, and ceased to fire at him any longer. He
was now come, he said, to pay homage to the
man who was the peculiar favorite of heaven, and
who could never die in battle.”
During the panic that followed Braddock’s de
feat much difficulty arose from a want of troops
to defend the frontier settlements —volunteers
were called for, and several companies formed;
and the Rev. Samuel Davis, in a sermon to one of
these, the subject of which was “ Religion and
patriotism the constituents of a good soldier,”
after applaudiug the parriotic spirit and military
ardor, which had begun to manifest itself, added,
“and, as a remarkable instance of this, I may
point out to the public that heroic youth Col.
Washington, whom, I cannot but hope, Provi
dence has hitherto preserved in so signal a man
ner, for some important service lo his country.”
The revolution found Washington in the prime
of life, in the exercise of a vigorous and well dis
ciplined intellect, balanced by unerring judgment,
and controlled by moral sentiments of the highest
order. Indeed his wisdom was truly profound,
and guided by those elevated moral principles,
which shone conspicuously in every act of his
life, he could not fail to attract the notice of his
fellow citizens.
It is not known with whom the first idea of the
final independence of the colonies originated. —
Washington, however, was early impressed with
the importance of seeking redress for the injuries
the colonies had sustained, in an open and manly
manner. In 1774 we find him uttering the fol
lowing sentiments in relatien to the conduct of
the mother country, “ Satisfied that the acta of
the British Parliament are no longer governed by
the principles of justice, that they are trampling
upon the valuable rights of Americans, confirmed
to them by the charter and constitution they them
selves boast of, and convinced, beyond the small
est doubt, that these measures are the result of
deliberation, and attempted to be carried into ex
ecution by the hand of power, is it time to trifle,
to risk our cause upon petitions, which with diffi
culty attain access, and afterwards are thrown by
with the utmost contempt? For my part, Ishali
not undertake to say where the line between
Great Britain and the colonies should be drawn;
but I am clearly of the opinion that one ought to
be drawn, and our rights clearly ascertained.—
I could wish, I own, that the dispute had been
left to posterity to determine ; but the crisis has
arrived when we must assert our rights, or sub
mit to every imposition that can be heaped upon
us, till custom and use shall make us tame and
abject slaves.”
Soon after having been placed in command of
the American army and when its diminutive size
and destitution of every comfort and even the
necessaries of life, rendered it too probable that
it would be crushed by the first blow of the enemy,
we find him rising superior to all difficulties, and,
where the probabilities of an accommodation are
discussed, exclaiming—With regard to myself,
I have never entertained an idea of an accommo
dation since 1 heard of the measures which were
adopted in consequence of the Bunker Hill fight.
The king’s speech has confirmed the sentiments
I entertained upon the news of that affair; and if
every man was of my mind, the ministers of
Great Britain should know, in a few words, upon
what issue the cause should be put. I would not
be deceived by artful declarations nor by specious
pretences ; nor would I be amused by unnecessary
propositions ; but in open, undisguised, and manly
terms proclaim our wrongs, and our determination
to be redressed. I would tell them that we had
born much, that we had long and ardently sought
for reconcilliation upon honorable terms, that it
had been denied us, that all our attempts after
peace have proved abortive, and had been grossly
misrepresented —that we had done every thing
that could be expected from the best of sub
jects—that the spirit of freedom rose too high in
us to submit to slavery. This I would tell thorn
—not under covert, but in words as clear as the
sun in its meridian glory!”
Such was the influence of the spirit which he,
and other kindred souls, manifested under the
most gloomy aspect of the revolutionary contest.
Had he faltered we fear all would have been lost.
We shall not stop to trace his brilliant career as a
militarv commander. His deeds of valor are
known to all, and history awards him rare talents
as a brave and skilful general. It is the moral
excellence and unbending integrity of this un
rivalled patriot, that we love to contemplate. —
These, more than his victories, served to mould
the destiny of his country. So truly did he rep
resent the feelings and principles of his fellow
citizens, that all eyes were turned to him, and
every thing committed to his hands. He not
only headed the army in the field, but committees
from Coogress visited and remained in his camp,
to elicit his views upon important matters; and,
not unfrequently, his presence was required at
the seat of government to confer personally with
Congress. The moral force of his character was
brought to bear upon intrigue, mutiny and treach
ery, which often brought our cause to the verge
of” ruin. In hours of danger, every one looked
to him. He stood indeed like some towering light
house that shed its steady and brilliant blaze far
and near over the troubled ocean, while the stor
my billows dashed and raged in vain at its base.
Before the termination of the war of the revo
lution, a portion of the people became alarmed in
consequence of the unbounded influence he had
gained ; and more particularly at his ascendency
over the army. He was well aware of this; but
NUMBER 8.