Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-06-15

fean rcY0lutlOn, dhu VIC Sndi
founders of our independence and free
dom are beginning to be contemplated
with the severe impartiality OF distant
posterity. The passions which buoyed,
ANNOYED, or infested their individual fame
have subsidized. Each is receiving set
tied and mellow lustre; and a just judgg-
ment is already busily engaged in assign
ing the degree of estimation and respect
which grateful posterity should continue
to render to the memory of each of those
whose efforts have obtained SO many
blessings and such everlasting glory for
this nation.
Among the conductors of those impor-
tant events, the name of George Mason,
must always hold distinguished place.
An exhibition of character, in public
station, may be calculated to give an i'm
preston of the profoundest respect; but,
the sincerest, and best affections OF the
heart can only be won by those traits,
which are developed when the individual
has been Invested of the imposing forms
and circumstances of place and office. 1t
is for these reasons, as well as for the
rays of light which they shed upon the
most interesting portion of the history Of
our country, that send you the following
papers.
George Mason, their author, was an in
dependent planter, resident in Fairfax
county, Virginia, his native state, when
the revolution commenced. He was a
man endowed by nature with vigorous
understanding, which had been we'll cult
waited by liberal education. He was
sound constitutional lawyer, although he
had not practised or been bred to the pro-
fession. His mind had, evidently, been
we'll stored from the best political writer's
of his time. In temperant he was like
the Younger Cato, constitutionally stern,
firm, and honest; and in all the affairs of
life, in which he was engaged, as we'll
private as public, he was habitually, mi
nutely, and critically clear, punctual ex
act and particular, He was member of
the first conventions and assemblies elect
ed by the people independently of the CO.
lonial authorities. He chose and valued
most, the station of representative of
the people; because he thought it most
honora bic, and one where he could be
most useful: nor did he ever consent to
accept of any other, but once, when he
acted as commissioner to ad just the navi-
CATION and boundary, between Maryland
and Virginia. He was man of the peo-
pie in spirit and in truth; and every act
of his life incontestibly evinces, that in
their cause he never once, or for single
moment, trembled, hesitated or wavered.
Many intelligent foreigners, and some
of our own countrymen, whose judgments
have been confused or perverted by arts
tocratic principles, entertain belief, and
propa gate the opinion, that our liberties
were principally established by the integ-
rity, wisdom, and forbearance of our mill
tary leaders. To such it will be particu
larly instructive to attend to the first of
the following letters from this venerable
patriot; written at time, and under cir
cumstances singularly impressive and af-
fectiug. In ripe old age, chastened by
experience, when the hand of Providence
had visited his household with such IN af
Fiction as to induce him to desire no more
the return ofhilarity 20 his heart, he seats
himself in his closet to unbosom himself
to his friend; to tell him of his political
opinions and principles and to speak ofthe
sentiments, feelings, and probable for
tunes of his country. This letter, which
is so highly honorable to its author, fur
nishes conclusive proof, that all the chiefs,
as well as military, as civil, were guided
and controuled.by the people, and bears
ample testimony to their virtue and their
glory.
He was a member of the convention
which formed the present constitution of
the United States, and appears to have
been deeply, and sincerely impressed with
the magnitude of the undertaking. He
was afterwards member of the conven-
ton of Virginia by which it was ratified,
which he actively and firmly opposed
without previous amendments He was
a most decided enemy to all constructive
and implied powers. And it is remarka-
bic, that he was the author of some, and
the warm advocate of every amendment
since made to it. His friend and coadju.
tor, the illustrious Henry, poured forth
the boundless wealth Of his impgssioned
eloquence in opposition he charmed, en-
chanted, or won over many of his auditors
TO withhold their assent from the propos-
ed plan of government. But, when Mason
spoke, he seemed to cite his hearers sew
orally to the bar of reason and truth, and
imperatively to demand of them to pro
duce the reasons and grounds upon which
they proposed to tolerate the pernicious
principles he denounced. Henry delight
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