Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-07-18
X EN- ARK S
REMARKS
On an ADDRESS, delivered at Washing

QUINCY ADAMS. Secretdryo Of State.
Anxious to distinguish by some impo-
sing novelty the celebration of the last
national anniversary at Washington, its
citizens invited the Secretary of State to
read publickly the autograph of the De-
claration of Independence, and the Attor-
ney General to pronounce a harangue.-
Business or prudence determined the
appointed Orator of the Constitution to
reject the invitation, and his colleague
with readiness which prevented impor-
tunity, undertook both the duties The
publick eagerness to hear the principles
of American liberty, as stated by its
founders, pronounced and illustrated by
the Premier of the government in which
they resulted, forgave the indecorum of
such an exhibition on his part: though
this inGecorum could scarcely have been
greater, had the President of the United
States, instead of his minister, officiated
as the speaker. This analogy will not
perhaps startle the aspiring Metropoli-
tans, for it it understood, that encouraged
by the successful experiment on MIR. Ad-
ans, they design to repeat these official
celebrations of the fourth of July, until
the rhetorical abilities of the Cabinet are
exhausted. Then perhaps, gradually de-
scend;ng the scale of office, they may
supply their rostrum from the Clerks in
the Departments, and at last be content
ed with the municipal eloquence OF their
Aldermen.
The situation into which the urbanity
or the ambition of the Secretary had
thus placed him, was, it must be admitted,
one of peculiar delicacy and embarrass-
ment 1t was situation so environed by
dangers, that the unnecessary defiance of
them almost deserved discontinue, and
could be excused only by the splendor of
success But this success the patriotick
generosity of the publick confidently
prophesied. They were willing to expect
that the result would correspond to the
interest of the occasion, and the high reo-
utation Of the Orator;-they were willing
to expect much political wisdom from the
chief minister of their government, a
striking dignity of manner from the Sc
cond citizen OF their country, and many
graces of elocution from the Rhetorician
who had once taught eloquence to New
England. The slightest consideration
must have convinced the Secretary, that
such was the temper of the public. A tran
sent view of his own circumstances must
have suggested yet more important con-
siderations Forseeing that general opinion
would invest his most careless phrase with
official significance, and that foreigners
would affect to find in his Grafton the
sentiments of the American government,
ne should have avoided any expressions
unseemly to his own station, and the dig
n'ty OF his country. Aware of the in
iuence of his opinions, he should have
expressed such only as were promotive
o. virtue and good feelings among
the people he addressed. A minute
view of the peculiarities of his situation
individually, should have enforced this
lesson Of circumspection, and shown
isvltal Importance to his prosperity and
his glory. Looking with eager eyes to
the chief magistracy of the United States,
menaced by more formidable opposition
than ever resisted any previous candidate
Tor that office, in some respects ivanta-
geously distinguished from his numerous
competitors, while in others their preten-
sions surpassed his own; jealousy viewed
by one great sectional party as the cham
pion of its adversary, and suspected by all
parties OF political insincerity; he should
have been deferred both by discretion and
pride from avowing sentiments indicative
ola narrow and Incorporate spirit
A plan so betting the occasion. and
the Orator was by no means contrariant
to an enthusiastic display of the princi-
pies and effects of the revolution. In re-
curing to that event, coldness would out.
rage every genuine lover of his country