Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-01-23

tinns. The. nation became bis familiar ana
his kousehold God.
He was 90 amisble man. The integT-
ty OF bis heart appeared in the sweetness
Of his disposition, and the calm serenity
Of his manners, allayed ssperity wherever
i, G ncOuntered il.
He was an honorable man-Uho sought
honor-in the paths OF usefulness.
He was wise man, Of whom at long
interval from those grey hairs which desig.
na;e age and wisdom, a, strict propriety OF
thought, speech and action, might il an
extraordinary degree be predicated.
He was great man Wisdom snd vir-
tue gave him moral and political power.
which be rendered subservient TO the hap
piness and honor OF bis country.
With the last ten years of our political
history, his labors, bis talents, his hopes
aud his life were intimately connected
His anxious exertioDs at Washington, re-
suited in The malsdy which has taken him
away.
He was Statesman, who cherished the
Union Of these States with affectionate ar
dor-loved the Navy and the Army. and
promoted all the salutary and stable de-
fences OF the Republic.
The Legislature OF South Carolina with
fondness OF heart which indicated their
warm reliance in bis patriotism and tai.
ents, placed him, without his knowledge,
in nomination .or the Presidency. 1t mat
tiers little to enquire now, With what digni-
ty and moderation, with what justice and
impartiality, with what purity and patriot-
ser he nloh Ia /
t,onsi interests. No one will now say,
that the State, which be bonored, was pre-
mature in decking his fading temples with
the wreath Of afeetionate praise.
On earth he is removed from the power
OF usefulness, from the councils which he
enlightened, from the life which he adorn
ed. May bis mild and benevolent spirit
still linger among us! may it dissipate hon.
est error aud subdue angry contention,
and harmonic opposing interests; so that
our country may benefit by his example,
as it has by his liFe--and we may appear
gratefully to appreciate what we have en-:
joYed, and what we have lost.
"RECENT LETTERS ON SPAIN"
Have been published, from which we
extract the following matter respecting the
CoRTEs. Their ball or place OF meeting
is spacious, well lighted and highly deco.
rated. There are no monuments or sta.
tues to the memory Of Demosthenes, CT.
Zero, Cato and BrHius to usurp the admit
ration due to living orators and patriots.
Instead Of classical illusions or recollec.
lions they have engraved on square stones,
and placed upon the walls the names OF
Porlicr, Lacy, and other martyrs TO Span
ish freedom. Opposite to the throne is an
inscription, in letters of such size that
the king cannot avoid reading 1t whenever
be tak.shis seat: " The Sovereignty exists
essentially ia the Nation; to the Nation
therefore belongs the right OF being her
own Lswgiver." The Deputies have not,
as in France any particular costume
Eseh man speaks from his place extem-
poraneously; and though there is. Tn
bunc, as in The French chamber, for those
never used, unless when some long written
discourse is to be recited, which seldom
happens. Hence the debates are more
lively, natural and prompt. In this they
resemble our Congress or the British Par
lament; but, in the Cortes, they never in
dulse in quotations or jess or the slightest
personal aIiusion. Nearly ose third of the
members Of the Cortes are Ecclesiastics.
A foreigner might suppose himself present
at a council OF bishops and priests, espe-
cially as all the Deputies, without excep-
ton. at the end OF each sentence, makes
the sign OF the cross, in the air, with the
thump and two first fingers OF the right
hand; in-the same manner az the Pope,
when bestowing his benediction. In case
of division each deputy is called upon by
name, and be answers Yes or No. Instead
of tinkling bell, which the president of
the French Chamber is continually -four
ishing, to preserve silence or the cry Of
order, the members OF the Cortes inter.
rup. each other by pronsunc'ng in So
lemn tone, these three words, pamos de
spacio { Let us 60 on slowly. The writer
complains much OF the apathy which con-
stitutes principal feature in the character
of The Spaniards. tPhaa Dem. Press.