Reading Time: 3 minutes [345 words]

WILLIAM WEMMS AND SEVEN OTHERS, 437

T aay, gentlemen, and appeal to you for the truth of what I
say, that many on this continent viewed their chains as al-
ready forged; they saw fettera as prepared; they beheld the
soldiers as fastening, and riveting for ages, the shackles of
their bondage. With the justness of these apprehensions,
you and I have nothing to do in this place. Disquisitions of
this sort are for the senate, and the chamber of council, they
are for statesmen and politicians, who take a latitude in
thoughts and action; bet we, gentlemen, are confined in our
excursions, by the rigid rules of law. Upon the real, actual
existence of these apprehensions, in the community, we may
judge; they are facts falling properly within our cognizance,
and hitherto may we go, but no farther. It is my duty, and
I onght to impress it on your minds; and, you, gentlemen,
ought to retain the impression. You are to determine on the
facta coming to your knowledge; you are to think, judge, and
act, as jurymen, and not as statesmen.

Matters being thus cireumstanced, what might be expected?
No room was left for cordiality and friendship. Discontent
was seated on almost every brow. Instead of that hospitality,
which the soldier thought himself entitled to, scorn, con-
tempt, and silent murmurs were his reception. Almost every
countenance lowered with a discontented gloom, and searce
an eye but flashed indignant fire. Turn and contemplate the
camp. Do we find a more favorable appearance? The sol-
dier had his feelings, his aentimenta, and his characteristic
passions also. The constitution of our government has pro-
vided a stimulus for his affections. The pride of conscious
virtue, the sense of valor, the point of honor. The law had
taught him to think favorably of himself; had tanght him to
consider himself as peculiarly appointed for the safeguard
and defense of his country. He had heard, that he put not off
the citizen, when he entered the camp; but because he was 4
eitizen, and wished to continue so, he made himself, for
awhile, a soldier. How stinging was it to be stigmatized aa
the instrument of tyranny and oppression! How exasper-
ating to be viewed as aiding to inthrall his country! He felt

Related Posts