The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-05-23

show the relics of its former greatness
That place where most Of you first re-
ceived the rudiments OF your education q
and where some have been brought UP
that have done honor 10 this town: that
place has, indeed, 'sfallen, fallen, from
its high estate" The assistance of the
public has been denied to it.-In vain
has its worthy trustees called upon our
citizens to give to it that support which ii
merited. But all has been useless. II
has sunk into the silent grave Of oblivion,
and the excellent teachers of the Acade.
my, have been obliged to seek other pia-
ces tor teaching their schools. = -
Among all the vices that mankind are
guilty of, that ofin,emperance is the most
destructive and deadly In its Effects
But am sorry to state, 1t is a crime for
Which the Americans have become al.
most proyerbial and even in this small
place, it is enough to shock the mind of
rejecting person, to witness the daily
scenes of iniquity. The great bonds
which unite our glorious republic, are
temperance and friendship. Two of the
greatest of all virtues. The Lacedemo-
mans were the most temperate people
that ever lived, and yet they were the
most happy. 1t behoves all then that we
should be temperate in every thing that
we do, that we should restrain our pas
sions and that we should act as if we
bore affinity to the Great Architect. Ano-
ther virtue will mention, to which |
hope you will give your attention. Friend
ship, gentlemen, is the link that connects
all mankind togeihcrs II is one Of the
virtues that distinguish Us from the
brutes, and raises us far above all the
rest OF the creation. Were it not for
this would be discord: nought would
be seen but desolation and despair. II
ought to be cultivated especially in
this society: for If this social virtue, was
rooted out from amongst us, the little
petty Earrings that might occasionally
happen, would soon dissolve us. If then,
gentlemen, il is of such importance,
ought we not 10 pay particular attention
to it (; ought we not to strive by every
means in our power to nourish and to
cherish il in our bosoms. An unfriend-
ly man, is hated and despised by every
one; his company is universally avoided
and his acquaintance is confined to those
OF the same despicable class as himself
And, finally, he sinks into the grave un-
needed, and unhoticed by the majority
of mankind. But mark the difference.
The friendly man is accosted by every
one. No one shuns his company but,
on the contrary, they seek it he is be.
loved by every one, because he is
thought to be the friend of every one.-
And lastly, when death makes an end of
his mortal career, he is followed to the
tomb amidst the wailings and weepings
OF many disconsolate widow, who is
cothforted and orphan, whose heart
he has madegIad. Let us all, then,
endesvour to buffet maniully, the tide of
dissipation and vice, that is continually
pouring upon US, and strive to reach that
pinnacle of glory, to which virtuous
life will most assuredly carry us.
Let US now take view OF the litera>
iure Of our country, which has for some
time back, been rapidly advancing; and
which, at some future period, will re-
ceive the universal encomiums of the
whole civilized world. The great foun,
der of American literature was Franklin
name deservedly held dears by every
lover OF his country and whose memo
~ will be preserved among the latest pos
terity, while those of tine mighty Xerxes,
and The ambitious Caesar, will be lost and
forgotten. He, by constant reading and
deep study, laid the foundation of that
greatness which seldom has been sur
raesoI -. 49,,