Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-08-06
W7tsHISGToN, August 2.
LNANEIN nrnE

The universal excitement, produced by GER
tain information OF the intention of this Apostle
of Liberty to revisit, in his old age, the scenes
of his youthful heroisn and chivalry, proves
that Republics are not ungrateful. Gratitude
is an impulse of the Heart by which the Aneri-
can nation is much distinguished, as any other
in the world. That which has been mistaken
for it, when Republics have been accused by
their enemies of want Of gratitude, is the die
tate of Policy, which induces governments, diff.
ferently constituted from this, to compensate,
with money and layis!i public honors, those who
render them acceptable public services. This,
so far from being the policy of this government,
is directly opposed to it, inasnuci as it tends to
the establishment'of aristocratic distinctions and
monopolies of public honors, entirely at war
with that principle of our government which re-
scognizes the equality of all men, and the abso-
lutte sovereignty OF the popular will. We have
no privileged orders, to be erected and repicu-
ished from among those whom the government
( selects as the objects of its peculiar favor.
Here, when man serves his country in the
line of duty, he is supposed to have done no
more than his duty, and to be sufficiently com
Pensated by the consciousness, of it, and the ap-
probation of his fellow -citizens. We have no
roll of pensions granted for the mere perform
ance of routine official scrvices-nor even pa
laces and principaties for successful military
headers and naval heroes. If we had, we might
have a spientd government, and as strong a one
as some seem TO desire to make ours--a govern
ment which could frowD into nihi!iiy the COM
mon herd of men, and set pablIc opinion itself
at distance. We might have all this-we
might have agovernment fgew -gaws and cour-
tiers, but it would no longer be Republic.
No, Republics are not ungratcful The ge-
nerons burst offeeling our festa days in no.
nor of those to whose services and counsels the
country is iudebtcd-the deeply cherished yene-
fl,pf
who are now no more-emphatically repel the
calumny. The sentiment of lively Joy at the
expected arrival of LAFAYETTE among us, was
besides those Just referred to, the prevalent sen
timent every where at our last anniversary; and
IN every part Of country which he can be
expected to visit, we hear of active aud jealous
preparations for a cordial reception of him.
We have heretofore noted few Of them, but
we cannot keep pace with their increasing ntr'n-
ber and therefore make this general annunci-
alton Of the general note Of preparation.
In this District, the news has awakened q
military spirit, which we had supposed to be
dormant for at least one generation. Many
companies of volunteers are forming; old and
young obey the impulse of grateful feeling G.
ven the children at school shoulder their fire
lock, and long to pay reverence, with honors
due, to him who was the companion, the friend.
and the leader, Of their ancestors to glorious
battle for freedom. Our Corporate Bodies, too,
are alive TO the interest of the occasion. Here,
and elsewhere, every thing will be done to make
the Friend of Freedom and the SOliier of the
Revolution welcome. No conquering Hero,
at the head of victorious bands, rc-entering his
country from foreign lands, displaying the tro-
phes of an hundred battles fought and won,
ever bad so glorousy tciumphal march as will
be that of LA FAYErTE through this land.
lie comes to receive tie warm embrace Of
10, a.
gratitude of their cbildren-the glad smile Of
beauty-the voluntary homage of nation of
freemen. Are Republicans ungratefuI'
C.Ntd. Int
. u IS said that the Cadets at West Point arc
held IN readiness to march TO New York on the
esrrig4l # the Marquis de I,AFAYETrE.-IIb.