The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

FROM THE ANNAPOLIS GAZETTE.

Monday the 4th of July, the 27th anniversary of American independence, was ushered in by three salutes at sun-rise, by a detachment of the artillery company under the command of captain John Muir, at 10 o'clock the artillerists and volunteer corps formed on the parade in front of the state house; at half after 10 they proceeded to the college green, where under the command of captain Richard Harwood, of the volunteer corps, they performed their military movements with a precision and dexterity highly commendable. At half past eleven the music gave the signals of the approach of his excellency John F. Mercer, governor. The two companies were then reviewed by his excellency in presence of a large concourse of spectators. After the completion of the ceremonies attendant on the review, his excellency addressed them in substance as follows:

My fellow citizens,

It being intimated to me since I came on the ground that it would not be unacceptable should I address a few words to you on the occasion ; to that end I therefore solicit your attention for a few moments. For what purpose my fellow citizens, did you unite in this laudable association, and what were the motives that prompted you to it ? 'Twas by proper organization to perfect yourselves in military tactics, to preserve yourselves from the disorder attendant on sudden alarms, and to inspire you with a confidence resulting from a conviction of the truth of this salutary maxim, that without order and experience your forces could never be properly concentrated, and that blind force when opposed by methodical and properly directed resistance, is feeble and inefficient. I say, fellow citizens, 'twas a love of country and a proper sense of danger. The time has been when your hearts intimidated by a consciousness of inexperience have been feelingly susceptible of the most inconsiderable alarms, and you have been called forth from your beds to oppose ideal attacks with the embarrassing attendants, consternation and inexperience. But that time passed away. I see displayed in your movements this day all the knowledge, regularity, and coolness of action that could possibly be expected from gentlemen, who are, in the strictest meaning of the terms, citizens, soldiers, not tied down by any restriction save a sense of duty to yourselves and your country.

Fellow citizens, without having recourse to panegyric or descending to the cold dissembling language of compliment. I here solemnly declare you to be in my opinion the best organized militia my eyes ever beheld. I will not say you equal regular troops, but I can declare (and I speak the language of my heart) that I would as soon be called to the field of battle with you, as any body of men the far-famed military schools of Europe can boast of. The President of the United States has said that there should not exist a standing army in a republic, we may go farther and say that a republic cannot exist where a standing army is its sole protection from tumults from within, or invasions from abroad. But if the government of the United States should ever think it expedient to establish a standing army, it will be then more especially incumbent on us as citizens to organize ourselves to oppose with success, and meet on equal ground, this very standing army, should it unhappily be converted into an instrument of oppression in the hands of ambitious despots.

The discords of Europe have again lighted up the torch of war, and we have every reason to believe that the conflict will be vigorous and determined. We, under the auspices of Divine Providence, have happily as yet stood aloof from European contests, but let us not lull ourselves into a listless security by a reflection on the prosperity of the past ; let us be prepared for the worst; let us shew that we deserve the liberty and peace we now enjoy by putting ourselves in a situation to preclude any possible interruption of them. And now permit me, fellow citizens, to return you my most unfeigned thanks for the politeness, deference and attention you have this day shewn me, and though I may never again have the honor of meeting you in the capacity I now do, yet believe me, I shall ever meet you as a brother and a friend.

At the conclusion of the speech the volunteers and artillerists gave three cheers, which were returned by as many from the spectators. The two companies then formed in order and returned to the state house parade, where after a few evolutions performed with masterly execution they were dismissed. At 3 o'clock the two companies with a number of citizens and strangers partook of a dinner on the College green under awnings prepared for the occasion, the governor presiding. Several appropriate toasts were drank, and several songs sung suited to the occasion.

The evening was concluded at the Theatre where the tragedy of Bunker Hill was performed to a crowded audience.