Citation |
NHG-P.768.011
12 Feb 1768:11,12,13,21 (592)
Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania to the inhabitants of
the British colonies.
. . . [69 lines, 11 lines about the nature of liberty]
The cause of liberty is a cause of too much dignity, to be
sullied by turbulence and tumult. It ought to be maintained
in a manner suitable to her nature. Those who engage in it
should breathe a sedate, yet fervent spirit, animating them
to actions of prudence, justice, modesty, bravery, humanity
and magnanimity.
To such a wonderful degree were the antient Spartans, as
brave and free a people as ever existed, inspired by this
happy temperative of soul, that rejecting even in their
battles the use of trumpets, and other instruments for
exciting heat and rage, they marched up to scenes of havock
and horror with the sound of flute, to the tune of which
their steps kept pace--"exhibiting," as Plutarch says, 'at
once a terrible and delightful sight, and proceeding with a
deliberate valor, full hope and good assurance,as if some
divinity had sensibly assisted them.
. . . [49 lines, 78 lines, 21 more lines, mostly about being
respectful of the King, as a child should be of its parent,
signed] Nothing is to be despaired of. A Farmer.
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