"Convince them that the object of the contest now, is that for which their fathers fought"

FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY PATRIOT.
PATRIOTIC ADDRESS.

   We have received the following from good authority, as the substance of a speech by Mr. Duer*, at a late meeting of men of all parties in Orange county, in this state.

Mr. Chairman,   

"...But, sir, that our co-operation may be effectual it is not enough that it be sincere and cordial. If we mean that it shall not die in languid effort, or exhaust itself in idle profession, we must rouse the people to a sense of their danger. We must dare to tell them the truth. We must cease to flatter, to deceive them and ourselves, by diminishing the force of the enemy, and exaggerating our own power. The impending dangers must be made known to the people in all their extent; in all their awful reality, before we demand, or shall witness those exertions and sacrifices, by which alone these dangers can be averted or repelled. Under any circumstances it is almost criminal to despair of our country; and never, even in my darkest hours of gloom and melancholy, have I permitted for a moment, that thought to intrude. Wherefore should we despair? lt is true, a strange apathy seems to have pervaded the community. The people seem to be sunk into a lethargy, which, unless they are roused, must prove fatal. But they will be roused. It is the apathy, not of indifference, but of ignorance. Convince them that the object of the contest now, is that for which their fathers fought, and the spirit of their fathers is at once revived; the flame rekindled which led them to safety and to glory. Whereof should we despair? Have we not the ability or means to defend ourselves? When in our infancy; when, to use the language of one of our warmest friends, "we were in the gristle, and not yet hardened into the bone of manhood," with a government weak and disorganized; a people distracted; without funds; without resources, almost without arms--this same enemy we met--we repolled--and conquered. And now, our population trebled; our wealth, all our resources and means of defence incalculably multiplied: Now that our sinews are knit, and our joints are hardened, our arms are to drop bloodless from our hands; and we to prostrate ourselves with fear and trembling in adoration of the power we resist!! No, sir; this is incredible; it is impossible. Convince the people that this is a second contest for independence, and the blood of their ancestors will rush in their veins; even from their tombs shall we hear their voices inspiring us like them to endure, like them to suffer; and I trust in God, like them to triumph."

[THE EXAMINER: CONTAINING POLITICAL ESSAYS ON THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS OF THE TIME; PUBLIC LAWS AND OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. BARENT GARDENIER, ESQ. EDITOR. "Thy spirit, Independence! let us share: Lord of the lion heart, and eagle eye! Thy steps
we follow, with our bosoms bare, Nor heed the storm that howls along the sky." Smollett VOLUME II. FROM MAY TO OCTOBER, 1814. NEW-YORK: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE EDITOR, NO. 34, CEDAR STREET. Pg. 298]

* - John Duer, (Oct. 7, 1782 - Aug. 8, 1858), was a jurist that began practice in Orange County, New York. Then moved to New York City around 1820, practicing law as an insurance lawyer. He was a delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1821. Appointed in 1825 as one of the commissioners to revise the statutes law of the state. He was elected an associate judge of the New York Superior Court, and in 1857 became Chief Justice.