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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.