ADVERTISEMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
To make use of poetry for strengthening patriotism, promoting
virtue, and extending happiness, is to bring it back to its
primitive exalted employments. The author of the poem on the
Love of Country will not suppress his predilection for consecrating
to such pursuits whatever poetical talents he may possess.
With this view, he imagines he cannot select a more pertinent
occasion, or a more suitable subject, than to celebrate the anniversary
of the independence of his country, by inculcating sentiments
of patriotism not inconsistent with our obligations of benevolence
to the rest of mankind. He considers it of much importance
to the promotion of human felicity, that the line which separates
true from false patriotism should be accurately marked.
In almost every nation and age, savage or civilized, remarkable
military exploits, and signal national deliverances, have been
celebrated with songs of exultation and gratitude. The sublime
and pathetic effusions of Moses, Deborah, and David, as well as
the patriotic and heroic poems of the Greek and Latin writers;
the monotonous notes or wild warblings of the bards in several
countries where civilization had made but little progress; and the
rude war songs, or mournful elegies of the aborigines of America,
are proofs of this assertion.
What festival, ancient or modern, has been observed more generally
or more cordially, than that of the birth of our nation,
on the fourth day of July? This unanimity was produced, not by the
peremptory commands or fulsome recommendations of a directorial
government, but by the concurrent feelings of a free people.
What event ought to be more deeply impressed on the public memory?
What day can give a more instructive lesson? Or what
occasion can be better calculated than this spontaneous solemnity,
to inspire Americans with that love of country and force of union,
by which alone the liberty and independence of the nation can
be long maintained?
It is pleasant to reflect, that on the same day, in all parts of
the world where a few Americans are assembled, they are in the
habit of rejoicing together with decent hilarity, and of cherishing
those social sentiments which were so feelingly participated in
their common toils, sufferings and dangers. At home or abroad,
what breast is not then as it were electrified by sympathetic recollections?
Where is the cold-blooded wretch to be found, who
disgraces the American name (if he be a native of that continent),
by not feeling the sacred flame of patriotism kindling with
redoubled ardour, from the mingled remembrance and emotion
which this festival forces on his mind?
The author, in thus paying his tribute to the day, flatters himself
he shall not be reproached for having sacrificed any interest,
neglected any duty, or betrayed any trust. For he takes a becoming
pride in asserting, that, in indulging his taste for poetry,
he has never suspended his attention to the public service; and
that no letter or application on business which ever came to him
from any of his countrymen, in any quarter of the globe (and
they have been extremely numerous), has ever been neglected at
the moment, or remained unanswered longer than was inevitably
necessary. In whatever point of light his poetical dispositions or
literary acquirements may be considered, he is not a little desirous
of preserving the reputation of an honest man, who has never
ceased to act in every office he has filled, with diligence, zeal,
and fidelity. He has ever taught by precept, and he hopes he
has not counteracted the doctrine by example, that there can be
no happiness without virtue, no liberty without morality, and no
good public character without being at the same time a good private
character. With the profession of such principles, accompanied
by the most earnest wishes for their political and individual
prosperity, he commits this work to the indulgence of his
countrymen.
D. HUMPHREYS.
Madrid, July 4th, 1799.
