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Show ~68 LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. I CHAP. achieved, deliberate, cool, and sparing of the lives XI. of the brave defenders of their count!}', had dis..,..,_._, pelled the storm, which had so long threatened to in- 1815. volve the ruin of thousands; and was now returning, safe and unhurt, those who had, with him, maintained the contest. His approach was hailed with acclamations: it was not the kind of applause, which, resulting from fear, is oftentimes extended by the subject to some conqueror or tyrant, returning in triumph ; but that which was extended by citizens to a citizen, springing from affection, and founded in the honest sincerity of the heart. All greeted his return, and hailed him as their deliverer. But amidst the expression of thanks, and honours, and congratulations heaped upon him, he was not unmindful, that to an energy above his own, and to a wisdom which controls the destiny of nations, he was indebted for the glorious triumph of his arms. Relieved from the arduous duties of the field, his first concern was to draw the minds of all, in thankfulness ,mel adoration, to that sovereign mercy, without whose aid, and inspiring counsel, vain are all earthly efforts. Day of · The 23d having been appointed a clay of prayer and thanks. gi~ingap· thanksgiving, for the happy deliverance effected by our po onted. arms, he repaired to the cathedral.~ The church and alt~r were «plencliclly adorned, and more than could obtam admission had crowded to witl1ess the ceremony. A grateful recollection of his exertions to save ~e country, was cherished by all ; nor did the solemmty of tl:e occasion even here restt·ain a manifestation of therr re~·d, ~r induce th~m to withhold the honour so no· LIFE OF GEN. JACKSlli'<. St\9 bly earned. Children, robed in white, and represent- CHAP. ing the different states, were employed in strewing the XI. way with flowers ; while, as he passed, the following~ ode saluted his ears.- · 1815• Hail to the chief! who hied at war's alarms, To save our threaten'd land from hostile arms: Preserv'd, protected by his gallant care, Be his the grateful tribute of each fair: '\Vith joyful triumph swell the choral lay- Strew, strew with flow'rs the hero's welcome way. Jackson, all hail! our cbuntry's pride and boast, Whose mind 's a council, and whose arm 's an host; '\Vho, firm and valiant, 'midst the storm of war, Boasts unstain'd praise-laurels without a tear: '.Yelcome, blest chief! accept our grateful lays, Unbidden homage, and spontaneous praise; Remembrance, lung, shall keep alive thy fame, And future infants learn to lisp thy name. When the general reached the church, the reverend administrator of the diocese met him at the door. Addressing him in a strain of pious eloquence, he intreatecl him to remember, that his splendid achievements, which were echoed from every tongue, were to be ascribed to Him, to whom all praise was due. "Let the votary of blind chance," continued he, " deride our credulous simplicity. Let the cold-hearted atheist look for an explanation of important ~;.vents, to th~mere concatenation of human causes ; to us, ·the whole world is loud in proclaiming a Supreme Ruler, who, as he holds the destiny of man in his hands, holds also the thread of all contingent occurrences : from his lofty throne, he moves every scene below,-infuses his wisllom into the rulers of nations, and executes his un· 3 A |