The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-05-25

t,eopie---who was educated in republican
rinciples, and who has resided up.. ards O
30 years among Us, and Showed a sniforn
devotion to the CUTS of man, can feel any
natural attachment to that nation, by whose
arm his own native country has faiien d VIC
tim.
The following eloquent enlosium on the
character of G;ii!atin. is from the pen us the
celebrated John Thompson, whose I'm timely
end, the republicans OF America will neve,
cease to deplore. The immortal author OF
| the letters sgned Curtius, whom Mr.. John
Randolph once pronounced on the Moor OF
Congress, to be "the greatest man whom,
he ever knew" saw TIE virtues and the me-
ri,s OF Gallatin. and was ,indignant at his
persecution. In rejecting ON his virtues
| ana his talents, and the uhmerted manner
in which he was vilified and abused. he was
led in the following language to express the
Sublime effusions Of 4 virtuous heart:
"Mr. Gal!atin has been prosecuted with
| all the detestable rancor of envy * malice.
| The accuracy OF his information, the extent
! of his knowledge, the perspcuity OF his
style, the moderation of his temper, and
| the irresistible energy of his reasoning pow
ers render him the ablest advocate that ever
appeared in the cause of truth and liberty.
Patient ard persevering, temperate and
firm, ne error escapes his vigilance, no Ca.
| lumnly provokes his passions. To expose
the blunders and absurdities of his dversa-
ries, is the only revenge which he will
condescend to take for their insolent invec-
tives. Serene I'm the midst of ciamors, he
exhibits the arguments of his opponents
in their genuine colors, he divests them
of the tinsel OF defamation and the cob
wets of sophistry, he detects the most
plausible errors. he exposes the most latent
absurtites, he holds the /" mirror up, to
folly, and reasons upon every subject with
the readiness of intuition, and the certainty
of demonstration. Elevated above the in
trigues OF parties, and the weaknesses of
the passions. he is never transported into
any excess by the zeal of his friends, or the
virulence Of his enemies. His object is the
happiness of the people, his means economy,
liberty and peace, his guide the constitution.
The sympathies which fascinate the heart
and mislead the understanding: have never
allured him from the arduous pursuit of
truth, through her most intricate mazes.
Never animated by the impetuous and tur-
bulent feelings which agitate popular as
semblies, he preserves IN the midst of con-
tending factions, that GOODNESS of temper and
that accuracy OF thought, which philosophy
has hitherto, claimed as the peculiar at
tribute Of her closet meditations. He
unites to the energy OF eloquence and
cision of mathematics. the method of
logic, and the treasures of experience. His
opponents SANDER and admire him, they as
sail him with ignorant impertinence, and
pitiless malice, and yet they feel that he is
the darling OF philosophy, the apostle of
truth, and the favorite vOtary of liberty
l heir hatred, like the rebellion of Satan.
proceeds from the impatisnce of any superb
ority. There IS daily beauty in his life
which Takes them ugly. Instead of initial
ing his excellence they attempt to conceal
1t by mass of obloquy; instead of reverence
ing his unparalleled wisdom and virtue,
they sharpen the dagger of falsehood, and
prepare the poisoned arrows of envy. The
men who are supported by a foreign faction,
have the etfrontery to Willy him because he
Is foreigner. Virtue and genius are not
peculiar to America. They have flourished
in every country and in every age. The
merits OF men are not to be ascertai ned by
geographical boundaries. The mind has no
country but the universe. Ppatriotism
rs not narrow and Liberal prejudice in
iafor OF the soil upon which we happen to
be born. 1t is a rational and noble attach
ment to the country which gives us protec.
ton and which secures our happiness. tits
not Incompatible with universal philanthro-
Ply on the contrary, it is a modification
OF benevolence,' softened by society and
strengthed by gratitude. Mr.. Gallatin is
attached to the constitution because il is
free, to the people because they are gene
rous and amiable, and to the country be-
cause he has found in it, an asylum for op
preston and misery.
80 Are not these ties at least az binding as
the shackies Of prejudice x habit Bur the
Conduct OF Mr.. Gallatin is his best yindica-
tlon. his foreigner has defended the con-
stitulion against the attacks of native A
merIcaDss and has displayed a noble ardor
III the defence OF his adopted country, whilst
many OF her sons repose in inglorious apa-
ty, and whilst others assa her with detes
Table treachefy and unnatural hatted''
Can any man read this elegant eulogiur,.
without feeling his bosom glow with enthu-
siasin, and his mind illuminated by the see
iestial light" which beamed from the undcr-
standing OF its illustrious author-Alas, that
youthful hand that penned it, has moulder-
ed into dust. That youthful tongue which
was heard with such raptures Of DELIGHT, is
now silent in the tomb! That noble heart
OF benevolence and generosity, that was
always open as day to melting charity,"
has ceased to throb Thompson is ne more
IT the enemies of his abused and in.ulted
country, would at this time, feel the light
ning OF his eloquence.
TELL.
THE MILITIA.
f'" ' NO. l. P."